The League has reached agreement with Sky Sports for six or seven games to be screened on a pay-per-view basis between January 1 and the end of the season.

"These are additional matches the Sky Sports viewers will have the option of buying should they wish to do so. There's no obligation," said League spokesman Chris Hull.

"But this is an opportunity for us to gather information and research into the pay-per-view concept. This is not a money-making exercise."

Details of the matches chosen for the experiment will be announced in about two weeks, but the League plans to target fixtures which are likely to attract a sell-out crowd, leaving many fans unable to get in to see them live.

Two games believed to have already been pencilled in are Oxford v Sunderland on February 27 and Grimsby v Wolves on March 27.

"The main thing is that pay-per-view will be benficial to the Football League come the next round of TV deal negotiations, whenever they will be.

"We will be in possession of more details regarding pay-per-view which will form a significant part of broadcasting in the 21st century," Hull added.