Sky screens footy matches online

Footy fans can now watch highlights of every Barclays Premiership and UEFA Champions League game online just hours after the final whistle for a fiver a month.

British Sky Broadcasting and the FA Premier League have forged a three-year deal to offer the enhanced coverage via the Sky Sports Broadband subscription service.

Previously, the service only offered clips from selected Premiership matches and fans had to wait until two days after a European game to watch highlighted coverage.

Now from midnight on each match day, the service will be the first to screen up to five minutes of highlights from each Premiership game, alongside match previews and post-match reaction.

For UEFA Champions League matches, fans can watch highlights or full delayed coverage from every game featuring a British team from 11pm.

“Sky Sports customers want quality, choice and flexibility from their sports coverage and Sky Sports Broadband is a key part of fulfilling this demand,” said Stephen Nuttall, head of enterprises at Sky Sports.

Sky Sports Broadband, which costs £5 a month or £40 per year, also offers streamed footage from other sports including rugby union, rugby league, golf, boxing, darts and speedway. Up to 30 August 2004, new subscribers can get the Sky Sports Broadband annual subscription for £20.