BBC and Sky have retained UK broadcast rights for the 2024-25 Women’s Super League season.
BBC and Sky’s current three-season deal was set to expire at the end of this season but despite a new broadcasting tender having been issued over winter, neither broadcaster nor TNT Sports and DAZN failed to secure a new broadcasting contract for next season onwards.
WSL owners, NewCo consequently decided to extend the current broadcasting contracts with BBC and Sky for one more season, in order to allow maximum time to agree a proper new long-term contract for the 2025-26 season onwards with interested broadcasters.
Explaining the decision behind this one-year renewal, Nikki Doucet – WSL and WSL Championship CEO, commented: “We’re very pleased that Sky Sports and BBC Sport are continuing their broadcast rights partnership with us for a further season.
“The past three years have been incredibly exciting for the women’s game – each broadcaster’s coverage of the Barclays Women’s Super League has helped to take the game to another level and open it up to new audiences, and we’re looking forward to seeing that continue and momentum build as we move into a standalone entity.”
Sky Sports will continue to show up to 44 matches across Sky Showcase and Sky Sports channels, with their managing director – Jonathan Licht having described this deal as “hugely exciting” for the broadcaster following increases in viewership off England’s success.
“Audiences have increased hugely over recent years and we’re proud of our contribution to the growth of the game and women’s sport more broadly, showing 70 per cent of all live action last year on our channels.”
BBC Sport’s interim Director, Philip Bernie added: “Women’s football has reached unprecedented heights, with the Lionesses’ huge international successes at the Women’s EUROs and World Cup, and a terrific contest for this season’s BWSL title.
“We’re pleased that BBC Sport will continue to showcase the great excitement of our domestic league by extending our partnerships with the Women’s Super League.”
BBC will again broadcast up to 22 matches across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer next season.
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