The Premier League has unveiled plans to introduce its own direct-to-consumer streaming platform, signaling a major shift in broadcasting English football.
Set to launch in Singapore for the upcoming season, the service named Premier League Plus will offer subscribers the chance to view every one of the 380 matches scheduled for the season, as well as additional content and a 24/7 streaming channel. This move represents a significant change from the league's previous approach of selling broadcasting rights to traditional media outlets in bulk.
Importantly, ongoing contracts, including the significant £6.7 billion domestic rights agreement in the UK with Sky Sports and TNT Sports, will continue to remain in place.
Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, introduced the new service at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit held in London, describing the development as the outcome of an extensive and thoughtful deliberation process.
“For the first time, the Premier League will have its own customers,” Masters remarked, noting that the Netflix-inspired app will be available on smart TVs as well as laptops, providing live matches along with a wealth of supplementary content.
He mentioned that the launch in Singapore will act as a pilot project. “We're seeking to learn from this and explore how it might be expanded globally,” he explained, adding that any further rollouts would depend on the success of the initial launch.
The Premier League’s strategy aligns with similar initiatives from other prominent sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and Formula One, all of which have developed their own streaming services to complement traditional broadcast arrangements.
The launch of the app will coincide with the establishment of a new Premier League Studios production facility in Olympia, London, aimed at bolstering the league’s internal media capabilities.
Although broadcasting rights remain a pivotal part of the league's financial foundation, launching a direct-to-consumer streaming option allows for enhanced control over content distribution and the possibility of generating additional subscription income.
By cultivating a direct connection with viewers, the Premier League has the potential to transform the global football viewing landscape and possibly redefine the commercial strategy that has supported its growth over the years.
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