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.
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.
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.)
AZ_RBB
Guest
Optus securing the WC2018 had me concerned. But I'm pretty set on actually attending that World Cup so I'll worry about it come 2022 haha
Neil
Guest
Without going into details Optus is not a option for me, but I am more worried about the deal SBS & Optus have done over the The World Cup, limiting the number of WC games on SBS for the World Cup.
CG2430
Guest
Sorry P Air, what was so different about time which preceded the last decade? Did the English Premier League have winter breaks then? Did lesser English teams not annoy their larger counterparts as much in those days? I'm not sure what the argument is here. La Liga, by the way, had a much shorter winter break than usual this season - owing to Vicente Del Bosque wanting time with his squad before the Euros and La Liga President Javier Tebas trying to match the EPL on commercial terms. Oh, and just stop bother trying in the League Cup if it's such an issue - no one cares about that competition anyway.
P Air
Guest
CG2430 - thanks for your comments. That Spanish clubs have been more successful over the last decade supports my hypothesis. By playing in a less competitive league they have far more energy than their EPL counterparts at this time of the season.
Lester
Guest
My original point was saying that you were wrong to call out roosters16 for having issues with Optus likely restrictive method of content delivery and your comparisons to Netflix were cringeworthy. I'm not saying that I'm annoyed for my own sake, I never would have signed up for them anyway even if I am an Optus Mobile customer. I'm saying you are wrong and should just shut up about a topic you clearly have no idea about. That still stands.
Neil
Guest
I am sad about the EPL, I have the Foxtel & Bein Sports(Which I will get for free soon), predominantly I got it for the A League and the EPL was a bonus which I record and pick the eyes out of it for the best matches. Optus have said to me several years ago they don't supply to my area but I can recheck. I rarely stay up late for matches, so live feeds do not interest me except for big ticket games . Also my wife gets to watch her programs on other channels, so except for the one game per week on SBS I think it is over for EPL. Foxtel are trying do deals with EPL club TV which maybe of some benefit. $85 for fetch TV is out of the question in addition to Foxtel. The trouble with being a football fan is there that it is just so much. La Liga, Serie A, MLS, SPL, Champions League, FA Cup, FFA Cup, WC Ties, ASIA Champions League, Euro Nations Champions Leagues, Euro Club Championships, South American Football and of course the A League, I think there might be enough to keep me going.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Whilst other PayTV operators have declining subscriptions, BT TV is surging in the UK "driven by BT Sport Europe and the launch of BT Sport Ultra HD". No doubt, this is the success story the CEO of Optus wants to replicate. BT Consumer contributes to BT growth BT TV has reached 1.5 million customers, an increase of 28% over the last year. 66,000 TV customers were added during the quarter ... Full story: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/05/05/bt-consumer-contributes-to-bt-growth
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
"And I’ll be fine getting the EPL, there are so many more flexible and cheaper options with a VPN " So what are you crying about like a spolit child? If this Optus deal doesn't affect you, why are you whining & squealing?
Lester
Guest
You have no answer and can't see how blind you are, all you have is stupid insults. And I'll be fine getting the EPL, there are so many more flexible and cheaper options with a VPN (that's a virtual private network for you old man). I'll probably just sign up to BeIN sports Mena for $20 with AirPlay capability whilst you blow $60+ a month for Optus and $50+ for Foxtel.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Jamie, I agree wholeheartedly regarding this affecting the middle sports fan. I would have said I'm one of them but I decided a month into the A-League season that I'd cancel my FoxSports Subscription. I get League on 9 and A-League through other means. Granted I work a fair bit. Usually 3/4 weekends atm so I don't have the time. Better saving $25 a month for other things.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. I cancel my Foxtel as soon as A-League season ends.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I watch a ton of NRL, UFC, tennis, American Football and a wide range of sitcoms. I appreciate their sports news service as well. Plenty of reasons to keep my subscription
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
True, but you can also get all that content directly from beIN Sport for $15/mth, not $50/mth that Foxtel is charging.
AZ_RBB
Guest
So much talk about the epl and optus. Not enough talk about the Euros, WCQs, UCL, UEL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Championship and Ligue 1 on Foxtel now. So keen for all this to kick in just a few days.
Casper
Guest
If this was a boxing match, Fussball's corner would have thrown the towel in long ago.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
@lester No harm - you just have to live without EPL for 3 years. More time for you on Fifa PlayStation with your classmates.
Lester
Guest
Lol physically connecting a laptop to a TV, are you serious? Ok grandpa, you certainly are ahead of the competition. I'm not moving my computer to the living room and bothering to fiddle around with cumbersome HDMI cables when AirPlay and Chromecast methods are the norm for genuine internet based content providers to get their content on TV in 2016. Even using Kodi enabled media players are far more simple than bothering with that and will provide a better picture. As for mobile devices, there will 100% be an in-app restriction on mirroring the device on larger screens whilst streaming. Have a try getting your TV to mirror your Phone whilst Foxtel Go is active. Foxtel do that (along with refusing to release a Apple TV app) because they want to flog multi room as a monthly add-on, Optus indicating that they want to have their "Fetch Mini" player funded by a $5 p/m fee means they will work from the same playbook. So your either wrong with how you think content will be delivered or just outdated in viewing method and desperate to hang onto relevance on the Internet.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
"as far as I understand 63,000 is more than the average number of viewers for EPL on Fox." You're correct the average viewing of EPL on FoxSports is not high - probably under 30k (hard to know because 90% of matches don't have the figures publicly published since they're not in the Top 20 shows). But, the CEO of FoxSports has, in the past, made this point about EPL viewing: 1) the fans are very loyal - i.e. they will cut the cable if EPL is not being broadcast 2) the total number of fans is much higher than the average ratings because the committed EPL fan will generally only watch his/her team LIVE. i.e. a ManUnited fan isn't staying up to watch Everton vs Stoke So, we could speculate there are around 100-200k EPL fans who have Foxtel. Now, we need to see how many will cut the Foxtel cord. It only needs to be around 50% (plus we'd anticipate reduced churn from existing customers who will have incentive to stay with Optus) for the $63m investment fee to be covered.
Mark
Guest
You are also forgetting that it doesn't cost Optus nothing to provide phone and broadband services. The number of subscribers they need to break even needs to be based on profit per subscriber, not revenue. I've seen that 1.7 million figure thrown around before, and as I've said before, I don't buy it. I think the terminology was "consume EPL". What is that exactly? One could say my girlfriend consumes EPL because she gets stuck watching it when I have it on the TV. There's no way whatsoever that she will be paying for an Optus subscription to watch EPL, though. The key point will be how many people change their telco or broadband provider specifically because of Optus purchasing the EPL rights. Even taking your figures, as far as I understand 63,000 is more than the average number of viewers for EPL on Fox.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
This is basic stuff - I wish I had stronger tech skills, but I don't. The internet is filled with "how to" information. How to connect a laptop to TV http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/laptop/how-connect-laptop-tv-hdmi-summary-update-3280787/ You can do the same for mobile phones, touchpads, etc. There are wireless options; but I prefer the cable options.