Pubs warn against higher charges for Premier League games after £3b rights deal
Pubs could face higher charges to screen Premier League matches after BSkyB and BT paid a combined £3b for the rights to screen games in a three-year deal.
The deal marks a 70% increase on the current rights package, held by BSkyB and ESPN.
BT has bought the rights to screen two packages of games, representing 38 matches per season, from the 2013/14 season until the 2015/16 season.
Sky has paid almost £2.3b for the other five packages of games for the same period. In total, 154 games will be shown per season, with Sky showing 116 and BT showing 38.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), said: "With so much more paid for broadcast rights than last time, this deal must not lead to a huge increase in prices for pubs.
"Pubs need a more competitive pricing policy, as well as alternative providers. Live sport is a key part of the pub for millions of customers, and publicans have endured huge price hikes from Sky, year after year. This has been on top of other huge pressures, such as a 42% hike in beer tax in the past four years.
"We will continue to raise our concerns over prices with both Ofcom and with the company itself."
By Neil Gerrard
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