Sky and BT Sport reveal live Premier League coverage for new season

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/14/sky-btsport-tv-rights-premier-league

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Louis van Gaal’s first Premier League match as Manchester United manager will be shown live on BT Sport, while rival broadcasters Sky have secured the rights to each of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea’s opening games of the season.

Swansea City provide the opposition for the former Holland manager’s debut at 12.45pm on 16 August, the opening day of the new season. That weekend also sees Arsenal face Crystal Palace at the Emirates, followed by Liverpool against Southampton and Manchester City’s visit to Newcastle. Chelsea’s trip to Burnley on Monday 18 August will also be shown live on Sky.

“Forty-nine out of 50 of the most popular Premier League games were shown on Sky Sports last season and a quick look at our opening schedule of fixtures shows Sky Sports is still the place to go for more of the games that matter,” said Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports. “With more football than ever before, including the launch of our fantastic new European football channel Sky Sports 5, our customers have never had such an unrivalled choice of football.”

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured some superb matches for the start of the 2014-15 season. On the opening day of the season, all eyes will be on Louis van Gaal, fresh from Holland’s World Cup efforts, and the start of his tenure with Manchester United.”

Sky Sports also has the rights to United’s clashes with Premier League champions Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, plus City’s meetings with Liverpool and Chelsea and Arsenal’s London derbies with Tottenham and Chelsea.

In addition to Van Gaal’s opener, BT will broadcast live coverage of Arsenal against City and Liverpool v Chelsea, as well as the FA Community Shield between City and Arsenal on 10 August.