Following recent communication from the EFL, the club are able to inform supporters about the iFollow video streaming destinations and pricing - both domestically and internationally.
Revenue distribution
All revenue generated from iFollow streams will be retained by the club who sold the subscription. This differs from the 2020/21 season during the pandemic where a temporary hybrid product was introduced. All video streams domestically and internationally are priced at £10, and Lincoln City FC will receive £8.33 from each sale bought through the club’s website.
International Imps
Supporters who live outside of the UK and Ireland will have access to all Sky Bet League One fixtures on iFollow Imps unless the fixture is picked for Sky Sports coverage. In this instance, the rights to the fixture may be sold to an international broadcaster which will vary per location.
This campaign will see the return of Uefa's Article 48 which means that Saturday 3pm streams will not be accessible for supporters in the UK. It is important to note that Article 48 was lifted temporarily during the 2020/21 season to ensure that all supporters in the UK could watch their team when fixtures were played behind closed doors.
Midweek fixtures
Midweek matches will be available for streaming both domestically and internationally. This means that supporters in the UK will be able to watch the following games on iFollow Imps (subject to change):
• Tues 17th August v Bolton Wanderers (H)
• Tues 28th September v Morecambe (A)
• Tues 19th October v AFC Wimbledon (H)
• Tues 23rd November v Portsmouth (H)
• Tues 7th December v Crewe Alexandra (A)
• Tues 8th February v Morecambe (H)
• Tues 22nd February v Bolton Wanderers (A)
Displaced weekend fixtures
Should a league fixture be moved out of the restricted hours (2.45pm-5.15pm on Saturdays), it will be at the discretion of the home club as to whether this would be streamed domestically to supporters. The club can confirm that our policy will be to agree to all video streaming for rearranged fixtures.
Bank Holiday fixtures
Bank Holiday fixtures will also be available for streaming domestically. This means that supporters in the UK may be able to watch the following games on iFollow Imps (subject to change):
• Sun 26th December v MK Dons (H)
• Weds 29th December v Rotherham United (A)
• Fri 15th April v Portsmouth (A)
• Mon 18th April v Cheltenham Town (H)
International fixtures
Sky Bet League One fixtures that fall in an international break will not be available for UK domestic streaming. This decision was made following a vote from all 24 Sky Bet League One clubs. Lincoln City voted to allow these fixtures to be streamed domestically, however this was not aligned with the majority view in League One. League Two will stream during international weekends, after the majority of clubs voted in favour.
Carabao Cup fixtures
These fixtures are not eligible for streaming domestically or internationally.
FA Cup fixtures
These fixtures are yet to be confirmed but will be at the discretion of the FA.
EFL Trophy
These fixtures will be eligible for streaming domestically and internationally up until the semi-finals. The semi-finals and final will then be selected for live TV coverage on Sky Sports.
Lincoln City’s chief executive Liam Scully added: “iFollow streaming will return to the product which was in operation pre pandemic with the return of Article 48 being enforced. It is important to recognise the role of the broadcasters and other partners who assisted with the solution whilst we had closed/part-closed stadiums.
“We are currently working on the assumption that we will have fully open stadiums for the whole season, however all partners have agreed to keep this situation under review should there be a change of circumstance.
“Outside of the temporary suspension of Article 48 for the 2020/21 season, I further believe it is our role to understand the learning of the past year and understand if a more open streaming model could be of overall benefit to our game, in particular to lower-league football.
“That said, I do think we should tread with caution, therefore our default position is that Article 48 is of benefit to our game overall. We do, however, remain open-minded and willing to look at all possibilities, on the back of further research which is currently being undertaken.”
Click here to read more about Article 48.
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