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EFL Committed To Streaming Matches Despite Attendance Woes

The English Football League is committed to streaming its matches online for armchair fans despite analysis suggesting the service is "hitting match-day crowds," according to Matt Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. Attendances at midweek games in the League Championship have "slumped significantly" since they were made available via Sky Sports' red button service this season. The EFL is "monitoring attendances and may restrict the numbers of matches that are streamed if numbers continue to fall," but remains committed to the principle of broadcasting games online when possible on the grounds that it "extends choice to fans and provides an additional source of revenue for clubs." In addition to Sky’s red button offering for midweek League Championship matches, the EFL also streams games via its iFollow service, which has been joined by 58 of its clubs. Over 130,000 people have watched EFL games via such streaming services in 165 different countries this season. Overseas streaming is "currently more popular," with 80,000 of the 130,000 live streams broadcast outside the U.K., reflecting the fact that the service has been available for longer there and is more cost-effective. Fans of EFL clubs based overseas can buy a season pass, giving them access to all their team’s games for £110 ($143), whereas in the U.K., options "are limited to a one-off for each game" for £10 ($13). Despite signs of increasing demand, there are no plans to offer a season pass for the domestic market, as the number of times each club is shown live on Sky "varies dramatically so it would be difficult to operate" (LONDON TIMES, 10/17).

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