Singapore to have Premier League streaming serviceImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The broadcast of games around the world has generated billions of pounds for the Premier League and its clubsBySimon ArmstrongBBC Sport journalistPublished34 minutes agoThe Premier League will launch its own streaming service in Singapore next season – and is looking to see how it could be “replicated all around the world”.The Netflix-style app, which will be named Premier League Plus, will allow users to watch all 380 matches of the season, as well as other content.It is a departure from the way games have traditionally been broadcast with rights packages sold to broadcasters, although it will not affect current deals such as those in place with Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the UK.A number of other sporting organisations have already set up similar streaming platforms including the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball in North America, as well as Formula 1.Premier League chief executive Richard Masters unveiled the service, previously mooted as “Premflix”, at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London on Thursday and reported it followed “a very long, considered process”.’Looking to build a business’Masters reported: “For the first time the Premier League is going to have its own customers.”This is a new app you can download and have on your smart TVs, your laptops, and watch 380 matches and loads of shoulder content, 24/7 channel service and it’s going to be an exciting product.”We’re also looking to learn, to see how that might be replicated all around the world.”Masters added “if it goes well, it may be replicated” but did not “want to predict further than that” at this stage.The launch will coincide with the opening of a new Premier League Studios production hub in Olympia in London.Traditional broadcast rights have been a highly lucrative source of revenue for the league, with the current domestic package split between Sky and TNT worth a record £6.7bn.
However, offering action to fans directly through their own subscription-based platforms opens up the opportunity for organisations to have greater control over the distribution of content, and potentially take in more revenue.
