Premier League matches could continue to be shown on free-to-air channels in coming seasons
Premier League matches may continue to be shown on free-to-air platforms in future seasons, according to reports.
claim that TV executives are exploring the possibility of 'hybrid' rights agreements after their success during the coronavirus lockdown.
Sky boosted its viewing figures by over a third during this period, with 28 matches made available outside the subscription model.
For the first time since the Premier League's inception in 1992, the BBC also screened four games.
Interestingly, Freeview and Freesat contributed over a quarter (26 per cent) of the audience when Sky matches were shown on free-to-air.
Jonathan Thompson, chief executive at Freeview, believes the 'best long-term solution' could be a prominent free-to-air future.
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“I think these audience numbers show what the trade-off is that sports such as football, cricket and rugby have to make," Thompson told the .
"Sky and other pay-TV services give fantastic financial support to sports by paying top dollar, but if you want to ensure the longevity of our traditional sports, and enthuse the widest possible audience, including those who may not be able to afford to pay for telly, then these audience numbers show the way to do it.
"It may well be that the best long-term solution is going to be a hybrid of pay and free-to-air.”
The 2019/20 season was concluded on Sunday with the new campaign due to begin on September 12, just three weeks after the delayed Champions League final is played.