Is life better in the Championship? There are wide ranging views on that but one apparent advantage is greater clarity over when an announcement will be made of which games have been selected for TV coverage – and the indications so far are that Sunderland will “suffer” often. This should obviously be of help in planning travel and accommodation arrangements. A total of 127 live EFL matches (including the play-offs) will be shown together with 15 from the Caracao Cup and at least 3 from the Checkatrade Trophy.
The EFL and Sky Sports have committed to give clubs and supporters at least five weeks’ notice ahead of any EFL matches being selected for live television coverage. The EFL have further committed to publicly announce any fixture changes within three working days of their selection (following club consideration) in order to give EFL supporters as much time as is possible to allow for any alterations to travel plans that may be required.
If both the EFL and Sky Sports are unable to meet these timeframes then the clubs involved have the ability to choose not to be broadcast live on television. However, if both clubs mutually agree to the rescheduling of the fixture within this five-week period then the game will be televised on the new date.
On this basis, the relevant dates are as follows :
– Clubs notified of selections for 7th October to 11th November by 25th August.
– Clubs notified of selections for 18th November to 9th December by 29th September
– Clubs notified of selections for 16th December to 13th January by 3rd November;
– Clubs notified of selections for 20th January to 3rd February by 8th December;
– Clubs notified of selections for 10th February to 3rd March by 29th December
– Clubs notified of selections for 10th March to 31st March by 19th January
– From 23rd February, a minimum five-week rolling selection commences for matches up to and including the penultimate weekend
– Clubs notified of selections for the final day made following the completion of the penultimate round of matches