Premier League TV Rights Could Go To Al Jazeera?

Premier League have invited bids from networks for the domestic UK broadcast rights for the 2013-14 and 2015-2016 football seasons. 154 matches are planning to be screened live on TV each season from the 2013-14 campaign. That's 16 more than is currently broadcasted on UK television, meaning over 40% of all Premier League matches will be screened on our telly boxes. 154 games will be split into seven different packages consisting of five packages of 26 games, and two packages of 12 matches. No one buyer will be allowed to purchase more than five packages (or 116 games). Sky currently hold the most rights to Premier League games and will be expected to win the bidding war for the maximum five packages. ESPN, who currently have limited Premier League rights, will also be expected to bid for the extra packages and there are reports that Al Jazerra are extremely interested in bidding. Premier League have reassured clubs that the extra games won't mean more matches scheduling being at the behest of the tv gods, but instead the extra TV matches will be for the games moved away from their 3pm Saturday kick-offs due to Europa League or on police advice. The ruling of no 3pm Saturday kick-offs being shown live on TV will stick.

"This creates a more attractive and compelling offering for both broadcasters and fans; whilst allowing the continued protection of the Saturday 3pm 'closed window' and minimising further displacement of Premier League fixtures," said the league.