Why is QPR v Leeds United only on the Sky Sports red button?


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Leeds United can return to the top of the Championship on Tuesday night, but fans have been left baffled as to why the game is only on the Sky Sports red button while a Checkatrade Trophy match is on the main service.

Thankfully Footie on TV can explain all.

Under the terms of their deal with the EFL, Sky are only permitted to show the match behind the red button and the Sky Sports app.

There are two elements to Sky's deal. Currently they can pick 127 live full coverage matches this season from the EFL.

These are fully-blown multi-camera productions with countless replays. They are hosted either on site or from Sky Studios with full commentary teams, build-up and analysis.

But a new development this season gives Sky the option to screen any game being played outside the 3pm Saturday football TV blackout window.

However, these cannot be shown on the main TV services and only behind the red button or on the app.

So for full pre-scheduled midweek rounds Sky can pick two games to show as full productions with the rest of the games on the red button/app.

For the red button matches, Sky are not allowed to show action replays and can only broadcast from one main camera view.

It's thought this is to try and boost subscriptions to the EFL's I-Follow streaming service where fans can subscribe to individual games through clubs' official websites. The I-Follow service offers several camera angles and replays.

The QPR v Leeds game is a re-arranged match hence it  being available just on the red button.


Three other rearranged Championship games are being played, but Sky appear to have not opted to show them on the red button.

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