Optus have announced they will partner with SBS for the next three years on English Premier League and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with there to be a game of Premier League on SBS once a week in exchange for Optus broadcasting every game of the World Cup.
SBS will have one EPL game on free-to-air a week for the next three years, but will sacrifice exclusive coverage of the World Cup, only getting one game a day during the tournament.
Optus will broadcast all matches of the 2018 Football World Cup, as well as other events including the Conferations Cup and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The primary channel will be Optus’ Fetch TV, which will have a 24-hour channel as well as up to 10 sub-channels so they can simultaneously broadcast Premier League games.
Fetch is a subscription network, and games will be broadcast through a variety of apps on mobile and Tablet, as well as via the website for PC users, and able to be streamed to TVs via a set-top box.
It is a massive upheaval in the way people will watch sport, with only one game available a week by the traditional channels of Pay or free-to-air TV.
Optus will broadcast all the magazine shows during the week, and post and pre-game analysis from the UK for the Premier League. They will also have access to all shows produced by the Premier League as part of their rights agreement, which was reported to be worth $50 million over three years.
It also appears that Foxtel’s last-ditch effort to secure the rights to the EPL in pubs and clubs failed, with Optus to have a satellite broadcast platform delivering the Premier League to those premises.
It is not yet known how much the product costs, or when the channel will be available.
Optus CEO Allen Lew was bullish about the product, insisting the delivery would be better than a ball whipped in by Christian Eriksen.
“With Optus, football fans are spoiled for choice. As the only telco in Australia to own and operate network infrastructure across all three mobile, fixed and satellite platforms, we are in a unique position to deliver the English Premier League and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to more Australians, in more ways than ever before.”
“Broadcast has been a key part of our services since the inception of Optus’ satellite business. We have developed rich expertise in broadcasting and have a long history in delivering high quality live broadcasts via our satellite fleet.”
What do you think of this move Roarers? Are you happy with this deal.
Here’s the full statement from Optus
Optus today unveiled plans to expand its football offering with the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In a significant milestone for Australian sports fans, SBS will sub-licence the FIFA World Cup to Optus.
Optus will transmit live all 64 matches of the 2018 Men’s World Cup, as well as other FIFA events including the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup over a range of TV and internet-enabled devices.
Bringing fans closer to all the EPL action
Optus today also announced plans to deliver an amazing viewing experience for Australian EPL fans, with the 2016/17 season to be broadcast across a range of television, mobile, online, and out-of-home viewing platforms, including:
Australia’s first ever 24/7 football channel dedicated exclusively to the English Premier League, and carried on Optus’ subscription TV platform, Optus TV with Fetch. –
– With up to ten sub-channels, Optus will accommodate every match of every round live, so fans never miss a minute of the action on match day;
– A mini set-top box device which allows mobile customers an entertainment experience on their TV screen, via Optus TV with Fetch. It includes access to 35 premium entertainment channels, and the ability to pause and rewind the action;
– An Optus EPL App for mobile and tablet devices, giving customers access to Optus’ 24/7 EPL channel with un-metered mobile and fixed broadband streaming of live games.
The Optus EPL App will be progressively offered via selected media TV player devices and Smart TVs;
– Optus’ EPL website which will feature live matches for subscribers, as well as news and exclusive content;
– A free-to-air sub-licence which will see one match per round broadcast live on SBS for the next three seasons; an
– The Optus satellite broadcast platform for customers who either can’t access Optus’ broadband services, or can’t get High Definition content via their broadband service. The satellite service will also deliver live games via Optus’ EPL channel to commercial premises, including pubs and clubs.Allen Lew, Chief Executive Officer at Optus said, “With Optus, football fans are spoiled for choice. As the only telco in Australia to own and operate network infrastructure across all three mobile, fixed and satellite platforms, we are in a unique position to deliver the English Premier League and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to more Australians, in more ways than ever before.”
“Broadcast has been a key part of our services since the inception of Optus’ satellite business. We have developed rich expertise in broadcasting and have a long history in delivering high quality live broadcasts via our satellite fleet.”
Get more EPL News and Analysis than ever before
Optus’ 24/7 dedicated EPL channel will give fans access to the most insightful and comprehensive match coverage, EPL news and analysis ever offered in Australia, including:– Brand new pre and post-match magazine shows and game-day analysis live from the UK, including Matchday Live, Football Today and Kick Off;
– New daily EPL news programming and interactive shows such as Fanzone;
– A full suite of English Premier League-produced programs including World, Netbusters and the Saturday and Sunday Review shows; and
– On-ground match analysis and reports provided by the Premier League’s own pool of experts.
Register your interestEPL will be available exclusively to Optus customers. Full pricing details will be unveiled mid-year.
EPL fans, pubs and clubs, and other venues that are interested in accessing EPL can register their interest for EPL updates including news, offers, pricing and technical support at http://www.optus.com.au/epl.
Enhanced Network Experience
Optus has invested more than $1 billion annually over the past ten years to build faster, stronger and more resilient networks, capable of delivering an exceptional experience for data-hungry customers who love to stream content.Optus’ ongoing network investment program is yielding results with the performance of its mobile and fixed networks recognised through independent testing, including:
The Netflix Internet Service Provider Index has ranked Optus’ fixed networks as the best for prime-time streaming for the last six consecutive months;
Optus has delivered the fastest streaming experience for Stan customers for the last five consecutive months (October 2015 – February 2016)**; and
the P3 Comms Day Benchmark has ranked Optus’ mobile network as the best along major roads and highways.“In 2016, we will deliver a range of game-changing entertainment experiences for customers, using network technology, innovative content delivery platforms and our growing line-up of sport and content partnerships,” Mr Lew said.
Dan
Guest
If you are on an $85+pm plan then you won't pay anything extra for EPL. Otherwise it will be $15pm extra. That is only valid for your mobile plan as long as it is post paid. It is also valid for a fixed broadband connection (not mobile broadband) but not land line only. Sorry it can't be explained in plain English. The reality is that the list of Optus plans that you CAN'T get EPL on is longer than the eligible plan list. This is a twofold kick in the guts. They are trying to blackmail non Optus customers into switching carriers even if Optus doesn't work in your area, and also trying to get their existing Optus customers to sign up to new 2 year contracts with them and get you off your better old plans that are out of contract. Hey you can get a satellite service if you can't get Optus broadband in your area. Sorry that only applies if you get a post paid mobile plan for $55 or more whether you can get signal or not, then add $20 for satellite plan then $250 install, all on a 2 year plan. Optus think that people that are out of contract with other carriers are desperately looking for a new contract. Bloody idiots are burning themselves, their own customers and EPL fans. Please, please don't let them get the A-League.
keith
Guest
We miss out again .Cant get optus in the bush Only 3g teltra,sometimes Been a EPL fan 60 years. Foxtell was very good , Now i'll save $56 a month finished with them too. they thinking beIN will keep me singed up don't think so
Bradley Fay
Guest
Worst deal ever. Also thanks SBS for screwing us over on the WC coverage. I thought the WC was on the protected list??? Therefore is the WC deal even legal???
Dan
Guest
Absolutely. Optus however are being very tricky with their wording. They say that data will be free for "Live" games. This means that on demand games will use data. As far as being able to record we will see if Optus allow this. I suspect they will so that would be your way around data usage I suppose.
Dan
Guest
On May 15th all the bein channels will be included for no extra on the FOXTEL sports package. Bein will cost $14.95pm extra on fetch
Dan
Guest
And this is the thing, Optus dumped the FFA less than 2 years before working on this deal. They clearly announced that they weren't interested in helping Australian football develop. It probably didn't make any money, and since they are owned by singtel it was obviously purely about owning content to make money. Don't be fooled, Optis don't give a rats about developing Australian football, and please don't get sucked in to their ridiculous line of bs that they are doing this to open up the EPL to new audiences. They are attempting to open up Optus phone/internet and mobile to new customers, end of story. Believe me when this turns to crap they will write off the loss, chalk it up to a bad decision and leave fans of the EPL with nothing.
Dan
Guest
Couldn't agree more Ian. I love the EPL but anybody that thinks that promotion of football other than the A-league, w-league, Matilda's, socceroos, FFA cup, NPL and other domestic teams/leagues is better for Australian football is an idiot. Keep promoting by the EPL, make it more accessible but please don't do it at the expense of domestic football.
Alan Teese
Guest
This has got to be the worst thing possible for all English expats that have come to Australia and bought homes in new suburbs were Telstra ( foxtel partner ) have split all the lines rendering us all useless to these changes as optus can not service us and the internet lines have been split between houses reducing the kb/s transfer rate needed to have optus fetch tv. Foxtel ( government ) should be bldy ashamed of themselves to allow this to happen but i do understand optus making a bid for it. The government has no understanding of anything other than costs to there organization even when it comes to the NBN which the tax payer has forked out a fortune. We still don't have it !!!!! and i live in the largest growing Qld area ( North lakes / Mango Hill ) and therefore i have to miss out on a sport and league that i have supported since i was born. Absolutely bldy marvellous. Pssd Off AL
Gerry
Guest
Can someone please explain in plain english if i an optus mobile customer and optus business land lie customer do i still pay for any apps / subscriptions or do i have to pay on top of my current plans
Matt
Guest
Only one game a weekend? Rubbish
Ian
Guest
6. Would a pseudo intellectual have the capacity to write articles on the Roar, which have received overwhelming positive comments? Wow - Rick, you are so great. We just have to ask you to find out. There is no doubt though you are up yourself. Overconfidence is a weakness.
marron
Guest
This is me also. SBS's pick will no doubt be Big Team focussed. The beauty of the competition is always looking at the unheralded teams and players for me.
Ian
Guest
Good to see your disdain for the the A-League and the Matildas in print.........why am I not surprised? Why would you think women''s football could possibly have any benefits in Australia compared to your beloved relegation battle 20000km away.
Ian
Guest
Unions this unions that........blah blah blah
paulie bro
Guest
Thanks Mr Turnbull. Hope your party relish in Rupert's media favours.
Mick
Guest
Hi, does this mean that if Optus shows the EPL on their Fetch TV platform that you have to have Optus as your ISP? Will a Fetch TV box work with another service provider? I'm not with Optus and I'm not gonna change ISP just for the EPL.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
So will SBS see the Grand Final live and free?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes I know. No one will know what will be shown until broadcast schedule is released.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
More accurately - a reduced number of games on FTA.
Rob
Guest
Here in the Melbourne suburbs I get 1.05mbps, according to speedtest.net. How marvellous.