EFL fans to enjoy enhanced broadcast experience after transformative production deal with IMG

Fans of EFL Clubs can look forward to a significantly enhanced viewing experience from the start of the 2024/25 season, with a new partnership between the EFL and IMG which will deliver a major upgrade to the EFL’s broadcast output for the next five seasons.

With record domestic and international broadcast deals in place from the 2024/25 season until 2028/29, the EFL is committing to an increased audio-visual production which will see more cameras at every broadcast Sky Bet EFL fixture, enhanced commentary facilities, new in-game graphics and improved features to deliver a premium experience for viewers at home and abroad.

Domestically, 1,059 EFL matches in the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches are set to be broadcast exclusively across existing Sky Sports channels or live via a Sky Sports streaming destination. From its dedicated EFL production centre at Stockley Park, IMG will produce 866 matches per season for Sky Sports’ streaming service with the remaining balance produced by Sky for their main channel output.  

IMG will produce a further 832 matches (1698 in total) which will be utilized outside of the UK by EFL rights holders Pitch International and Relevent Sports, who will distribute the premium broadcast feed across the world. Clubs will also be able to offer the elevated output via their own international streaming services to fans of EFL Clubs outside of the UK.

Multi-Camera Offering

The major change fans will see is increased camera setups across every division with six cameras in the Championship, four cameras in League One and two cameras in League Two – up from four, one and one cameras respectively.

Carabao Cup matches will feature a minimum of two cameras plus an up-scaled four-camera set-up for later rounds of the competition. All Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches will remain available to view with a one camera setup until the semi-finals.

Enhanced production value

IMG’s enhanced production capabilities will not only provide an improved viewing experience for live broadcasts but also offer enhanced post-match highlights packages for partners and clubs.

Outside of Sky Sports’ main TV selections, all broadcasts will also feature enriched in-game graphics, alongside features including recaps and highlights from the live match plus games from earlier kick-offs.

Increased connectivity and system resilience

With an unprecedented number of matches to be broadcast concurrently through the season, IMG and the League will work alongside NEP Connect Limited to upgrade existing bandwidth and the infrastructure’s resilience to safeguard the delivery of EFL fixtures to viewers at home and abroad.

EFL Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Wright said: “The start of the 2024/25 season, represents an exciting new era for the EFL with record-breaking rights deals at home and abroad that will see a huge number of games broadcast and a new way of watching for fans of EFL Clubs.

“It was imperative that our Production Partner had the experience, expertise and capability to elevate our broadcast output across our competitions and after a thorough RFP process, it was clear that IMG could offer the world class service level required with the track record to match.

“Having started this relationship in 2019, IMG understands the EFL and the needs of its Clubs. The enhancement of that relationship with increased output will provide significant benefit to Sky Sports, Clubs, partners and other affiliates. The partnership aims to put fans first, innovate and ultimately deliver an enhanced viewing experience for EFL fans everywhere.”       

IMG’s EVP of Studios, Barney Francis said: “We are proud of everything we have achieved with the EFL over the past five years, entertaining fans with more than 500,000 minutes of thrilling action, highlights packages and broadcast shows, and building a ground-breaking remote production that’s unrivalled in football globally.

“Our work with the EFL and major global football leagues provides unique, in-depth expertise and understanding of the technical solutions, innovations, workflows and reliability required to deliver a project of this scale through a fan-first lens.

“We are excited to take the EFL viewing experience to the next level for fans domestically and around the world, with upscaled production, enhanced coverage and continued innovation.”