The Women’s Super League (WSL) has confirmed YouTube will replace the FA Player as its main streaming service, with 66 games to be streamed on the video sharing platform next season.
Earlier this year, the WSL confirmed it would roll over its domestic rights dealswith Sky Sports and the BBC for another season, with 66 of the league’s 132 fixtures to be televised.
Pay-TV network Sky Sports will show up to 44 WSL games during the 2024/25 campaign, with all matches to be available to subscribers of Sky Sports and Sky’s over-the-top (OTT) platform Now TV. Meanwhile, the BBC will broadcast 22 live games, with at least 18 to be shown on its linear channels. All 22 matchups will also be streamed on the iPlayer streaming platform.
“It is also a landmark moment for us with our transition to YouTube as our streaming service,” said Nikki Doucet, chief executive of the WSL and Women’s Championship. “The FA Player has been a hugely important part of the growth of women’s football in recent years, and the free-to-air reach it has afforded our teams has been crucial in our development.
“Coupled with the high-quality coverage provided by our broadcast partners Sky Sports and the BBC, watching the women’s professional game here in the UK has never been easier. As we continue our journey into the NewCo, YouTube will offer even more supporters, both current and future, the opportunity to enjoy our amazing leagues at a click of a button.
The 2024/25 Women’s Championship season will kick off on the weekend of 7th and 8th September, with Newcastle’s away match at London City Lionesses to be shown on YouTube. The WSL then begins on the weekend of 21st and 22nd September.
By SportsProMedia
