THE first Sheffield derby of next season has been switched for live television.
The Owls-Blades clash at Hillsborough has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, October 19 with a 1.15pm kick-off.
The corresponding fixture last season, on January 19, was also shown live on Sky when Wednesday recorded a 2-0 win.
On that occasion, it stayed on the original Saturday date but the kick-off was brought forward to lunchtime.
The return game at Bramall Lane in April was not on TV. The Lane date next season is February 7.
For Wednesday, that visit to United comes in the middle of a run of three South Yorkshire derbies.
The game before it they are at home to Barnsley and the game after it they make their first ever visit to Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.
Meanwhile, on the Wednes-day takeover front, the former Boston United chairman, Jon Sotnick, has said he is no longer involved in any potential takeover at Hillsborough.
A couple of months ago he was said to be fronting a consortium looking to invest in the club, but Sotnick has now indicated he has dropped his interest.
n Former Wednesday midfielder Phil O'Donnell is to have the main stand at Motherwell named after him.
The Scottish club have announced their decision to rename it The Phil O'Donnell Stand and the ceremony will be on August 2 after their friendly with Spanish club Villareal.
Wednesday's opening-day opponents, Burnley, have completed the signing of Scunthorpe striker Martin Paterson in a deal worth up to £1.3 million plus add-ons.
O'Donnell collapsed and died while playing for Motherwell last season.
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