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Optus reveal plans for EPL: $15 per month to stream, and only for customers

Manchester City - will the go back-to-back? AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS
4th May, 2016
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After last year’s ambitious coup from Optus to take the Premier League broadcast rights from Foxtel, Aussie football fans have been anxiously wondering how they’ll get their dose of English football. Today, those questions have been answered.

First off, you’ll need to be an Optus customer on either postpaid mobile, mobile broadband, or home broadband bundles, then you can add the EPL as an extra at a cost of $15 per month.

Customers on pre-paid mobile, home wireless broadband, and “other older selected postpaid mobile and mobile broadband plans” won’t be eligible.

Certain plans costing $85 or more per month will have see the football added at no extra cost.

And the access comes unmetered – you can literally watch football all day every day without running wildly over your download limit (although Optus have given the all-important caveat of saying this applies to “eligible plans”).

Onlin sign-up for the upcoming season will open on May 15.

So what can I watch?
Optus are promising live access to all 380 games of the 2016-17 Prem.

The telco are creating a dedicated 24/7 channel with nine sub-channels so even if your match of the day is Watford vs Bournemouth, you’ll be able to see all the action as it happens.

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As for when there are multiple games you’re interested in all on at the same time, Optus are creating screen-in-screen viewing that supports up to four screens.

The dedicated channel will also feature news, analysis and programs such as Match of the Week and Match Day Live.

How do I watch?
Optus are promising the ability to stream through up to four devices at a time, and will be releasing dedicated smartphones and tablet apps, as well as a dedicated website.

If you want to get your football fix the old-fashioned way – TV is pretty old-fashioned, right? – Optus are pushing their Yes TV by Fetch set-top box options (check out the details for them at the bottom – basically, it’s Apple TV or Chromecast, except you can also get the EPL).

And if none of that really works for you, there will always be the option of heading down to the local watering hole, with Optus offering business packages for broadcasting the EPL (interested business owners can head here).

What if I’m not with Optus?
Well, that’s the real trick, isn’t it.

Optus didn’t go out and spend a rumoured $50 million because they love football, they want people to sign up to their telecommunications services.

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As such, you’ve got to be an Optus customer to get in on the action.

Luckily, according to Optus’ managing director of marketing and product Ben White, if you love football, you’re probably almost out of contract!

“While you’ll need to be an Optus customer to get all the EPL action, Optus research shows that close to two in three (63%) football fans, who are not already Optus customers, are out of contract for at least one of their fixed broadband or mobile services,” White said.

“We’re confident that when these fans see our range of great value EPL-ready plans, they’ll be convinced that now’s the right time to switch. And for those not quite ready to make that extra commitment, we also have a great postpaid BYO mobile plan that will provide access to the EPL.”

White also made the reminder to interested parties that Australia’s telcos are notoriously shit at getting things set up.

“With the start of the 2016-17 season more than three months away, we know some fans may be tempted to leave things to the last minute. Keep in mind home broadband installations can take a little time depending on your location and the type of network connection available in your area. We encourage fans to plan ahead and pre-order their EPL subscription online from 15 May,” White said.

Yes TV by Fetch set-top box: Optus customers can watch the EPL through the Yes TV by Fetch set top box, which also includes more than 35 premium entertainment channels for customers on the Entertainment package; access to streaming services like Netflix and Stan (subscriptions required); access to additional premium subscription TV services like beIN SPORTS (subscription required); the ability to record, pause and rewind live TV; 30 pre-selected rental movies each month; and the option to rent or buy from a catalogue of more than 4,500 movies. (See attached plans for full pricing details).
Yes TV by Fetch Mini device: From July, Optus is introducing a mini set-top box device which extends Yes TV by Fetch to Optus postpaid mobile customers who want an entertainment experience on the TV screen from just an extra $5 per month on eligible plans. This device will work over any fixed broadband network in Australia, and will also give customers access to EPL content. (Note: data charges may apply from your internet service provider. Not available for use on the Optus Home Wireless Broadband or Optus Mobile Network.)

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