Published: 02:00, 16 October 2025 | Updated: 02:00, 16 October 2025

A game of chess. A jigsaw. A Rubik’s cube. Jenga. Just some of the puzzles referenced by industry insiders in describing the process of selecting Premier League matches for television, one of the most complex and controversial aspects of the season.

The Premier League announced on Wednesday afternoon the latest Sky Sports and TNT picks for the upcoming festive period – but only some of them. Christmas and beyond is yet to be decided.

That means the majority of the televised games for December and January will now be confirmed after their initial estimated announcement date.

Why does this happen? How does the selection process really work? 

How do Sky and TNT make their picks? Why can they take so long and what holds them back?

Daily Mail Sport has done its best to unpick the puzzle. In short: it’s complicated.

The Premier League have announced their latest television picks for the upcoming festive period

There is a lengthy and complicated process behind the games being aired on TV

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