The new service would include live match coverage and presumably ‘classic matches’ from the League’s 30-year history.
The Premier League is planning to launch its own OTT service, CEO Richard Masters has revealed.
Masters did not reveal exactly when such a platform would launch and in which markets but confirmed that the service could start as early as 2022.
He said such a service which would allow the Premier League to charge directly for a channel rather than sell the rights to TV companies – was on the table for the 2022-25 seasons.
“There is a risk associated with it. Sports competitions like the Premier League have been successful in seeking partnerships with established broadcasters and having to secure funding as its model. Secured licensed revenue and direct-to-consumer revenue are entirely different strategies – the transition from one to the other, if and when it ever happens, would be a big moment,” Masters was quoted as saying.
Currently, the League makes around $3.8bn a year from its broadcast rights, with $2.1bn coming from the sale of domestic rights, including the highlights package currently held by the BBC.
