Premier League television audiences experienced a notable downturn last season, with Sky Sports recording a 10 per cent decrease in viewing figures across their 128 broadcast matches.
TNT Sports faced an even steeper decline, with viewership dropping 17 per cent year-on-year for their 52 televised games.
The reduction marks a significant shift from the previous two campaigns, which had delivered record-breaking audience numbers for Sky Sports during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Both of those title races saw Manchester City pip Arsenal to the championship, with the 2023-24 campaign decided on the final day of the season.
Sky Sports has seen a 10% drop in viewership
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The primary culprit behind the viewing decline was the premature resolution of both ends of the table. Liverpool clinched the title on April 27, removing any suspense from the championship race with several weeks remaining.
Similarly, the relegation battle concluded early when Ipswich Town joined Southampton and Leicester City in dropping to the Championship on April 26. This left the final six weeks of the campaign devoid of meaningful stakes.
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Sky reported that whilst viewing figures had tracked closely with the previous season for much of the campaign, audiences dropped off significantly during this concluding period when both the title and relegation places had already been determined.
The audience decline also coincided with Sky's launch of their extensive new EFL broadcasting deal, which features more than 1,000 games per season.
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TNT Sports saw a staggering 17% percent drop
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The downturn comes at a time when illegal streaming continues to plague the industry. A recent report revealed that live sport, including football, is being pirated on an "industrial scale" through unauthorised streams.
Sky and DAZN executives have warned that piracy is creating a financial crisis in the broadcast sector.
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The escalating costs of rights deals translate into higher subscription prices for supporters, particularly those who subscribe to multiple services to follow their clubs.
The broadcasting landscape will shift dramatically next season with the commencement of a new record £6.7bn domestic television deal. Sky Sports will significantly expand their coverage to at least 215 live matches, up from their current 128-game allocation.
Sky and DAZN have warned of a financial crisis if piracy is not cracked down on
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This enhanced package includes all fixtures moved to Sundays due to clubs' European commitments. TNT Sports will maintain their 52-match allocation, continuing to broadcast the Saturday 12.30 kick-offs and two midweek rounds.
However, Amazon Prime will exit Premier League coverage for the first time in six years, ending their involvement in the domestic rights package. The expanded television schedule aims to provide supporters with unprecedented access to live matches.
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