< Back to reports

WSL's new rights deal: Unprecedented prominence for women's football

6 November 2024
Access report

The WSL's new rights deal with Sky and the BBC starting in 2025 is worth 82% more per season than the current deal, and offers the league unprecedented prominence with every game broadcast live.

As Sky Sports seeks to diversify its audiences, the WSL is a logical investment: its audiences are small, but younger and more female-skewing than other competitions.

Free-to-air exposure is essential for the reach of women's football; the BBC and ITV's new deals should fuel continued growth in grassroots participation.

Related reports

Women’s football on TV: Partnerships vital for growth

20 November 2023

Interest in women’s football is unprecedentedly high, with record attendances, TV audiences and importantly participation.

Investment into the Women’s Super League is critical to the long-term success of the game. Strong broadcast partnerships must continue to play a vital role.

WSL viewing is low but increasing. Currently, it is a cost-effective filler for Sky, and good for the BBC’s profile. Rights value should rise but the WSL needs broadcasters more than they need the WSL.

Access report

Football rights market in transition: Tech is interested, but selective

29 October 2024

UK football rights values have pulled further away from European peers in a stagnant market, as telcos have withdrawn and tech companies remain selective bidders.

Sky and Canal+ have tied down key contracts until towards the end of the decade, while DAZN now has domestic rights for four of the top five European football leagues.

Tech players want live sport, but have distinctive demands and without new monetisation models they will not challenge pay-TV incumbents.

Access report

  • Women’s football on TV: Partnerships vital for growth

    20 November 2023

    Interest in women’s football is unprecedentedly high, with record attendances, TV audiences and importantly participation.

    Investment into the Women’s Super League is critical to the long-term success of the game. Strong broadcast partnerships must continue to play a vital role.

    WSL viewing is low but increasing. Currently, it is a cost-effective filler for Sky, and good for the BBC’s profile. Rights value should rise but the WSL needs broadcasters more than they need the WSL.

    Access report

  • Football rights market in transition: Tech is interested, but selective

    29 October 2024

    UK football rights values have pulled further away from European peers in a stagnant market, as telcos have withdrawn and tech companies remain selective bidders.

    Sky and Canal+ have tied down key contracts until towards the end of the decade, while DAZN now has domestic rights for four of the top five European football leagues.

    Tech players want live sport, but have distinctive demands and without new monetisation models they will not challenge pay-TV incumbents.

    Access report