Singtel-Optus chief executive Allen Lew has plans to broaden the telco's offerings into the media with more exclusive soccer.Credit:James Alcock
The mobile and broadband provider's sports broadcasting arm will screen the next three seasons of EPL,from August 2019 to 2022,with exclusive coverage of every match played,including live,on-demand,replay and short-form for all 380 games.
Optus snatched the local rights to EPL from Fox Sports in 2015 in a deal reportedly worth more than $50 million a year over three years. The telco said details of the latest negotiations and the final price were"confidential".
Telcos have increasingly tried to diversify into sports content and media to create a point of difference with their competitors,and to retain customers. Telco OVO Mobile hasmoved into niche sports rights,including racquet sports and eSports,which have smaller but loyal followings in Australia.
The Optus Sports platform will be available for $14.99 on Google Play from late May,having previously been accessible only for Optus mobile and broadband customers. It is playable on all major smartphones,web browsers,Apple TV and Chromecast.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be broadcast on the over-the-top video streaming product,with two 24/7 channels and all 64 matches,including live and on-demand. SBS will also broadcast some games in Australia.
Singtel Optus chief executive Allen Lew told Fairfax Media the exclusivity on many of the games for elite soccer and the National Geographic App,which Optus has rights for until January 2019,made all the difference.
“If you look at my larger competitor,they have mobile rights so people can enjoy it in a lot of different places,they don’t necessarily associate that content with the business,” Mr Lew said.