RIP PPV - Premier League clubs abandon £14.95 box office matches
The Premier League's controversial decision to screen matches for an additional payment of £14.95 per game has ended after the clubs voted to scrap the scheme.
During lockdown it was agreed that all Premier League matches would be free-to-air, a deal struck with broadcasters to make amends for almost three months of no football.
But as the the 2020/21 season begun clubs agreed with the TV companies and the Premier League that games that weren't specifically chosen for broadcast could be placed behind a paywall and screened via Sky and BT's box office openings.
The move was met with huge opposition from fan groups who urged supporters to donate to good causes rather than stump up the extra costs.
Official figures were not released but it is believed that a number of the matches performed poorly and were well below expectations.
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And on Thursday it was confirmed that PPV fixtures will go ahead this weekend as subscriptions have already been paid, but from next weekend until the end of the year, PPV has been shelved.
It is thought that the clubs are looking to work on a revised plan with a lower cost base, but given the level of opposition it is more likely that this model of PPV is dead, never to return.