Sky to offer day of free sport

BskyB has announced that it will offer live coverage from the first day of this year’s Premier League football season for free, as competition heats up with its new sports rival BT.

Sky said that programmes from Sky Sports 1 will replace the regular programming on Sky 2 – which is available on Sky and other pay TV services – and on Pick TV on Freeview and You View on Saturday 17th August.

“The takeover means millions of home viewers can enjoy a live Premier League match, a Football League fixture, plus a host of other football shows at no cost,” said Sky.

The move comes as BT gears up to launch its new suite of sports channels on August 1st, which will offer 38 premier league games next season and be available for free to all BT broadband customers.