BT Sport have extended their exclusive broadcasting rights to cover the Vanarama National League.
BT have covered England’s Fifth Tier since August 2013, and have extended the deal for a further three years, until 2021. However, financial figures have yet to be released at the time of the announcement.
Deal
As per the original deal, BT will show live coverage of one National League fixture each week in a regular Saturday slot. The coverage will take fans through the race for the title and automatic promotion, the end-of-season play-offs plus the play-off final at Wembley.
The majority of the filming and interviews are recorded by students local to the football clubs.
This is a unique initiative that has been run by BT Sport since 2016, it involves the students from around the country receive broadcast production training from BT and as a result help create BT Sport’s weekly Sunday night National League highlights show.
The new deal revealed the continuation of the ‘innovative tie-up between league and broadcast partner’. In fact this season, UEL have been a part of the initiative above with four students from Sports Journalism participating in it, for Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge.
‘Excellent Coverage’
Speaking to the National League’s Official Website, head of BT Sport, Simon Green said:
“BT Sport is proud to continue our support for the pinnacle of English football’s Non-League game.
“We look forward to bringing our viewers the many storylines that enrich this league’s narrative and which features some of English football’s most well-known clubs.
“Additionally over the past few years our student initiative has underlined our commitment to non-League football.”
Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League, also commented on the new deal:
“After fully testing the market place, we are pleased to renew our partnership with BT Sport for a further three years.
“BT Sport has produced excellent coverage of the Vanarama National League, and this new deal will extend BT Sport’s investment in our increasingly watched and highly respected competition.”
Change For Non-League Football
After this announcement, it could spell a change for non-league football. BT’s exclusive rights mean that coverage of the National League will be broadcast alongside FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football.
Being played alongside or on the same channels as the above football competitions, could have a positive effect on the National League. Its profile may increase in regards to the amount of viewers watching the live coverage, but also it may increase the attendances at National League clubs.