Coming soon to Sky One: Rupert Murdoch tells us how he changed the face of TV football. I haven't seen it, but I'm guessing he'll say it's changed for the better. Is he right?
Murdoch has had the live rights to Premier League football since it was established in 1992 - mostly exclusively. Until then, viewers were able to watch live matches through an old-fashioned aerial. So as far as top-flight footie is concerned, the biggest change is you can't watch it for free anymore.
But for viewers who are prepared to pay for a subscription, Sky offered more games than ever before. Far more - the pre-1992 ITV deal with the old First Division was for just 21 live games a season. Too many, some people say, claiming wall-to-wall footie has devalued the excitement of live coverage. Rubbish, I say. Just because it's on you don't have to watch it.
Sky's football coverage is also far superior to anything you get on terrestrial. When the two go head-to-head, with the FA Cup final, for instance, I watch Sky. Better commentators, better pundits, and no Garth Crooks.
Sky has also pumped billions of pounds into the national game. Some of this cash went into better grounds, most of it went into players' pockets. Premier League footballers' combined salary will top £1 billion next year. No wonder Sir Alan Sugar sold his stake in Spurs.
So, Sky. Good for football if you can afford a pay-TV subscription, not quite so good if you can't. In fact, bleedin' awful. Still, you can always watch it in the pub.
The good news is that from next season - thanks to the efforts of the European Commission - Sky will no longer have a monopoly on live Premier League matches. The bad news is it was broken by Setanta, and you have to pay to watch them as well. Pint of Fosters, please.
