Premier League broadcast rights have seen a significant increase globally. The League has sold live matches to NBC Sports in the US and also partnered with streaming service DAZN for UEFA Champions League and Europa League games.
In these arrangements, one firm acquires premium programming for a lump sum fee and then resells it to downstream pay-TV firms for variable per-subscriber fees. This prevents the dissipation of monopoly profits and extracts consumer surplus from the downstream market.
Live Matches
The 2022-23 Premier League season features 380 matches and takes place from 6 August to 18 May. All games are broadcast live on the Disney + Hotstar digital platform (Website, App) in India. This year, the Premier League is experimenting with a new format.
The rights to broadcast live Premier League football matches are sold in an auction every three or four years. BSkyB currently has the rights and sells them on to competitors for a per-subscriber monthly fee. This resale of the rights increases downstream prices and extracts consumer surplus from the market, thus reducing consumer welfare.
In the United States, high-profile Premier League games are aired on NBC Sports and its streaming service Peacock. Subscribers of Fubo TV, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV can stream USA Network, which carries NBC Sports, as well as Telemundo and Universo. NBC’s linear network is also available through Sling TV and DirecTV Stream. Sports Media Watch receives a commission on subscriptions to NBC streaming services through these affiliate links.
Highlights
The BBC has come under fire for a decision to air the latest Match of the Day without presenters or pundits. The move followed the removal of Gary Lineker after he tweeted a controversial tweet comparing the UK government’s planned policy on asylum seekers to 1930s Germany. It has led to many viewers boycotting the show.
Sky Sports has secured online highlights rights to Premier League games, which will be available for free on its website. The online service will also include live and on-demand coverage of matches. The BBC and BT have also agreed to share TV highlights rights.
In the United States, NBC has exclusive rights to Premier League games until 2022. However, more fans are now switching to legal streaming services to watch their favorite teams play. These services allow them to enjoy the game on their computers, smartphones, and tablets. The best thing is that they don’t need a cable or satellite subscription.
Replays
The Premier League is the most watched league in the world, and it attracts fans from all over the globe. The EPL has several ways to be viewed, including televised matches and streaming options. There are also many ways to follow the Premier League on radio, with BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT holding exclusive rights in the UK.
One thing that the Premier League could borrow from the NFL is video replays of controversial incidents. As a result, referees would not have to worry about making a bad decision. It might also add to the drama of the game. As 101 Great Goals notes, players often harangue the officials for minutes at a time over a controversial decision. Video replays could save that time.
NBC Sports Group retains the television rights to Premier League matches through 2021-22. However, the NBC Sports app and Paramount+ offer live and on-demand coverage of all EPL games featuring Premier League teams.
Legal Streaming
Illegal streaming of Premier League games online is a common practice that cuts into revenues for the football governing body. It is estimated that piracy-enabled devices like Kodi boxes or apps allow hundreds of thousands of fans to watch pirated streams. These devices have known IP addresses and can be used to steal personal information or install malware.
The fact that all rights to televise Premier League matches are sold exclusively to one pay-TV broadcaster increases costs and restricts choice for fans. The Commission is looking into whether the resale of these rights for a per-subscriber fee is lawful.
The West Mercia Cybercrime Unit works with the Federation Against Copyright Theft to visit people who use illegal streams of Premier League matches and deliver warnings about the risks of watching pirated content. They also investigate how these sites are being used for the benefit of organised crime groups. These activities can have a serious impact on local communities. 프리미어중계