Colchester United

In a joint commitment with broadcast partner Sky Sports, the recently rebranded EFL has vowed to ensure all its clubs are given at least five weeks’ notice ahead of any matches selected for live television coverage.

Furthermore, the EFL will then commit to publicly announcing any fixture changes within three working days in order to give EFL supporters as much time as is possible to allow for any alterations to travel plans that may be required.

If both the EFL and Sky Sports are unable to meet this timeframe then the clubs involved have the  However, if both Clubs mutually agree to the 

ability to choose not to be broadcast live on television. rescheduling of the fixture within this five-week period then the game will be played on the new date.

Throughout the course of Season 2016/17, 92 Sky Bet Championship fixtures will be screened 

exclusively live on Sky Sports along with 20 games from Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two.

EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: "This is an extremely important issue for fans up and down the country, one we understand and we will always seek to give fans as much notice as we can in respect of fixtures that are requested to be shown live on television as part of the broadcast contract.

"Sky Sports has invested significantly in our competition, helping clubs bring through improved facilities and better players on the pitch so while we are conscious of the impact scheduling matches for television  "We want as many people to enjoy the EFL as possible; 

coverage can have, there is a balance to strike. in the stadiums, at home or watching in the pub. We look forward to working together on the five-week commitment and other initiatives over the course of the next 10 months, in what is shaping up to be yet another exciting season in the EFL."

In addition to moving fixtures for TV, games can still be rearranged at short notice if players are called  Under current EFL rules, if three players from a first team 

up to their respective international sides. squad are selected by their national team for a competitive or friendly match on a FIFA International 

Match Calendar date, clubs have the right to postpone and reschedule.

As part of this announcement the latest tranche of live Sky Bet EFL TV games, in October and November, are revealed and there are plenty of mouth-watering clashes set to take place in front of the cameras.

In their first league meeting for five years, the eagerly anticipated second city derby between Birmingham City and Aston Villa is live on Sky Sports on October 30. Almost a month later on November 20th, Newcastle United will make their long-awaited return to Leeds United’s Elland Road.

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Norwich City at the beginning of October before welcoming Derby County to Molineux on November 5 and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s QPR will entertain Brentford at Loftus Road in the West London derby on October 28th.

In Sky Bet League One, Charlton Athletic make their first live appearance of the season on November 12th against Swindon Town and following their respective promotions last season, Oxford United and AFC Wimbledon will lock horns at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday October 9th.

Remaining TV Selection Dates 2016/17 (Illustrative but subject to five-week commitment):-

• Clubs notified of selections for December to first week in January 2017 by 30 September;

• Clubs notified of selections for remainder of January by 30 October;

• Clubs notified of selections for February by 30 November;

• Clubs notified of selections for first week in March on Monday 9 January following FA Cup Third Round;

• From 1 February, 2017 a five-week rolling selection commences for matches up to and including the penultimate weekend;

• Clubs notified of selections for the final day made following the completion of the penultimate round of matches.

NB: Dates will be publically announced three working days after being selected