Brand new Premier League show SCRAPPED as negotiations break down after months of talks
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have scrapped plans for a top-flight version of “Drive to Survive” – after failing to reach an agreement with Netflix.
Discussions with the streaming giant have been going on for months around a Prem-backed documentary service.
ReutersA Drive To Survive-style Netflix show was set to be agreed for the Premier League[/caption]
It would have seen Netflix show fans behind the scenes and hear from key players and managers throughout the season in a similar fashion to Drive To Survive for F1, tennis’ Break Point and Full Swing, the golf equivalent.
Box To Box Films, who oversaw Drive To Survive as well as the Steven Gerrard Make Us Dream documentary and boxing’s The Kings show, would have produced the football docuseries.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Leeds and Sunderland have all had camera crews following them in the past and the new access has proven a big hit with fans.
But a cash row has seen a total breakdown in conversations and club chiefs agreed to dismiss the idea at today’s shareholder meeting.
In a four-hour meeting, club bosses agreed the principle of a ban on shirt-front gambling sponsorship, to come into effect for the 2026-27 seasons.
That is likely to be confirmed in the coming weeks, although sleeve advertising from gambling companies will continue.
Clubs will also vote on upgrades to VAR technology for next season, likely to bring the introduction of limb-tracking cameras as used by Uefa and Fifa, at the annual meeting in June.
Premier League referees will come into line with International FA Board demands to stop time-wasting, with extra added time expected to add an additional two or three minutes to matches next term.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
But there has been no softening of the opposition to ending the Saturday 3pm TV “blackout”, despite streamer DAZN suggesting it would push for a reversal to allow it to screen all 1,656 EFL games if it wins the next rights deal.
There are, however, signs that an agreement over a new funding arrangement for the EFL, which is demanding 25 per cent of the Prem’s broadcast income, is in sight.
Clubs were told that both sides have moved from their initial positions in discussions, although there will be a variation in the terms of parachute payments to relegated clubs, rather than the ending of the cash hand-out demanded by the EFL.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
