The reason why Sunderland clash at Middlesbrough next month will be free-to-air on ITV
Sunderland's clash with North East rivals Middlesbrough next month will be available to watch on free terrestrial TV after being chosen as one of ITV's live matches.
The game at the Riverside had already been moved to an 8pm kick-off on Monday, February 3 after being selected by EFL broadcaster Sky Sports for live broadcast. However, as part of their new deal with the EFL which started this season, Sky also agreed a deal with ITV that would allow them to broadcast a select number of Carabao Cup and Championship games simultaneously.
That agreement started this month and Boro-Sunderland is set to be just the second Championship game shown as part of the new agreement, with the game shown live for free on ITV4. Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, January 19 will be the first, while ITV will also air the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, February 6. Those two games are on ITV1.
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This season the agreement will see another three Championship games broadcast on ITV at the same time as Sky Sports, and from next season there will be ten matches from the Championship shown on ITV as well as ten Carabao Cup games, including the final.
Mark Demuth, Controller of ITV Sport - who already broadcast EFL highlights each week, said: "We are delighted to continue our relationship with the EFL by broadcasting free-to-air fixtures for our viewers to enjoy. The Carabao Cup and Sky Bet Championship are staples of English football and I am sure fans will relish the opportunity to watch on ITV Sport."
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: "The EFL is home to some of the most popular and exciting competitions in world football, and the competition for promotion places is already shaping up to be as competitive as ever across the three divisions as we head into the second half of the season.
"We are delighted that this agreement between the League, ITV and Sky Sports will open them up to an even wider audience, and would like to extend our thanks to both partners for making this possible."
February 3 could end up being an interesting day for Sunderland. As well as the match at the Riverside, it is also transfer deadline day, with the winter transfer window closing at 11pm. Regis Le Bris will hope to have any potential incoming business concluded before kick-off against Middlesbrough. The Black Cats have enquired about the possibility of signing French midfielder Enzo Le Fee from AS Roma with reports that a deal could be concluded soon.
They will be desperate, also, to keep hold of their biggest names, with the likes of Jobe Bellingham attracting attention from elsewhere.
