Man City block Amazon from Pep Guardiola dressing room team talks in £10million behind-the-scenes documentary
Premier League leaders have agreed to let the cameras in for fly-on-the-wall series - but insist Guardiola's work with his players before and during matches remains off-limits
MANCHESTER CITY have blocked Amazon from Pep Guardiola's dressing room team talks in their £10million behind-the-scenes documentary.
City announced the eight-figure deal with the streaming giants yesterday as they aim to grow their profile across the world.
Amazon are aiming to produce a warts-and-all series about the Premier League leaders based on their acclaimed Hard Knock documentaries with NFL teams.
Those shows provide almost total access to the workings of the American Football franchises - from locker rooms and pitchside in games to meetings where players are being told their futures.
But City have insisted that the fly-on-the-wall series will not be able to show anything from Guardiola's pre-match and half-time teamtalks.
They want what is said between manager and players to remain a secret, and Amazon have gone along with it despite their huge investment to secure access rights.
It is still to be decided whether the cameras will be allowed into the dressing room after the matches to film the reaction to victories or defeats.
But it is understood City have given clearance for the production crew to film almost everywhere else around the club - to include staff meetings between Guardiola and his coaches during the week.
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The agreement of the series is Amazon's first foray into the Premier League market, as they look to take a foothold in football in the UK.
It is expected that they and rivals Netflix will bid for some rights packages in the next round of auctions which will take place early next year.
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The threat of the internet giants is a big concern for Sky and BT Sport who have the current UK rights deals, and it is likely they will have to pay even more to win the rights next time.
The Mail say both companies had huge concerns about the City show, keen to fiercely protect their investments.
The Premier League sought assurances that the series will not infringe current broadcast restrictions - and the documentaries have to be screened out of season.