Football clubs in the Premier League have secured the right to refuse television crews entry to their changing rooms when they are behind in matches, according to new broadcasting guidelines for the 2024-25 campaign.
Fresh regulations introduced by the league mandate expanded media coverage, including changing room footage, manager conversations during matches, and interval interviews with players or coaching staff.
Teams must permit broadcasters at least two instances of enhanced coverage throughout the season. Nevertheless, the league's official regulations, specifically outlined in Section K of their most recent manual, grant clubs the authority to reject changing room access whenever they find themselves trailing at the scheduled filming time.
Domestic broadcasters Sky Sports and TNT will benefit from these expanded coverage options, which encompass interviews with managers or players during the interval and conversations with coaches or substituted players whilst matches are in progress.
Teams can now deny access to camera crews
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The regulations stipulate that changing room access may be denied not only when teams are losing but also subject to club approval regarding audio recording within these private spaces. Should clubs refuse access on any given occasion, they must accommodate an alternative request during the remainder of the campaign.
This enhanced coverage framework represents a significant shift in how Premier League football is presented to viewers, though clubs maintain substantial authority over which elements they permit.
The operational framework for these new arrangements requires television companies to submit their coverage requests a minimum of five working days before the intended fixture, specifying their preferred type of access.
Football clubs must then provide their response within 72 hours of the match, confirming which coverage options they will permit.
Players will also be able to be interviewed during the match
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Both the league manual and participating organisations have agreed that all broadcast material must maintain a "positive and non-controversial" tone.
Television companies and clubs must reach consensus on interview participants at least 24 hours before kick-off, with broadcasters providing a shortlist of five potential interviewees by the 40th minute for clubs to select from.
Conversations with managers or substituted players during matches must occur before the 85th minute and will be limited to two questions maximum. The stipulation that all interviews remain "positive" and focus on match-related topics applies across all enhanced coverage formats.
Supporters will witness these broadcasting innovations on Sky Sports and TNT platforms throughout the upcoming campaign.
Teams will have to deal with cameras for the new season
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The inaugural televised fixture featuring potential enhanced coverage will be Sky Sports' broadcast of Liverpool hosting Bournemouth on August 15.
These modifications represent the most substantial changes to Premier League broadcasting arrangements in recent years, though clubs retain considerable discretion over implementation despite the mandatory participation requirements.