Blackpool finally selected for live coverage on Sky Sports - not once, but twice!

Despite enjoying an excellent first season back in the second tier, Blackpool have largely been overlooked this season.

Up until now the Seasiders have only had one league fixture televised by the EFL broadcaster, the 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers back in November.

Other sides, meanwhile, most notably West Bromwich Albion, have had over 15 games picked by Sky.

The broadcaster are contractually obliged to televise two home games of each club per season.

While many Blackpool fans will be glad to keep fixtures at 3pm on a Saturday, it does raise the question of fairness given the disparity in TV revenue.

While all clubs receive a set amount of income from Sky at the start of each season, clubs do receive an extra £100,000 every time they have a home game televised. They receive a £10,000 bonus when an away game is picked for live coverage.

Next month, Blackpool’s home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, April 2 will be shown live. It means the kick-off time has been brought forward to 12.30pm.

The Lancashire derby against Preston North End at Deepdale, meanwhile, will also be televised on Tuesday, April 5 (7.45pm kick-off).

The fixture had already been moved owing to the Tory party conference being in Blackpool, so the time and date is unaffected.

It means Blackpool will pocket £210,000 from their three televised games this season, two being at home and one away.

West Brom, meanwhile, who already benefit from parachute payments, could walk away with an extra £1m on top.

On a few occasions this season Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has criticised Sky Sports for not giving his side enough exposure.

Speaking after the televised game against QPR, Critchley told The Gazette: “Sky have actually remembered that we’re in the Championship. It’s nice of them to turn up for once.

“Maybe they might come back after what they’ve seen. They might put us on more often but I doubt it.

“It’s West Brom TV, isn’t it? So there you go.”