Sky TV will show Football League games for the next four years. Rupert Murdoch's channel has paid £95 million for live coverage of the Nationwide leagues, the Worthington Cup and LDV Vans Trophy.

The new contract will see live Football League matches return to Sky from August with 60 Nationwide Football League shown, 50 from Division One.

They will also show the play-offs as well as up to two live ties from each full round of Worthington Cup plus the semi-finals and final. The LDV Vans Trophy final will also be part of the deal.

The covered matches will be scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with evening kick-offs likely to be regular occurrences. The early season live fixtures will be announced very shortly.

Football League Chief Executive David Burns, welcomed the deal: "This is great news for the Football League and its clubs and we are absolutely delighted to be returning to Sky Sports.

"This agreement will help to provide financial stability to clubs at a very important time, as well as top class coverage of our games."

Sky Sports' managing director Vic Wakeling was equally chuffed: "Sky are delighted to be involved with the Football League.

"We hope that the clubs can now plan for the future and we will soon schedule the first live matches, with the League and the clubs, so that fans can plan their opening weeks of the season.

"We also look forward to the play-off finals - which produce some of the most exciting games of the season - and the Worthington Cup Final - which grants the first European place."

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