Introduction of Premier League Plus
The Premier League is set to unveil its very own streaming service, dubbed Premier League Plus, starting next season. Announced by CEO Richard Masters during the Financial Times Business of Football Summit held in London, this initiative will kick off in Singapore. If the venture proves successful, it could be extended globally, bringing a new dimension to how the league interacts with its audience.
Significance of the Initiative
This marks a significant departure for the Premier League, which has historically distributed its broadcasting rights to third-party networks, such as Sky Sports in the UK and NBC in the US. Masters, while emphasizing the thoughtful approach taken in creating this service, mentioned the league’s strategy includes addressing aspects like marketing, pricing, and user retention.
Potential Impact
With a fanbase of approximately 1.87 billion people across 189 countries, the potential impact of Premier League Plus is enormous. It could revolutionize the viewing experience for countless supporters around the world, creating a direct relationship between the league and its fans for the first time. In addition to the streaming platform, the Premier League is also launching Premier League Studios, a new production facility in London, further enhancing its content creation capabilities.
Future Considerations
Masters noted, “We’re looking to learn and understand how this model might be replicated globally.” He advised caution in making predictions beyond the initial launch phase in Singapore, highlighting the league’s focus on acquiring insights that will guide future expansions of the service.
This strategic move reflects a growing trend among sports leagues to take control of their content and foster closer connections with fans worldwide.
