EPL back on Sky – at a cost
Sky Television will broadcast more English Premier League content than ever but football fans will have to pay a premium for see it.
As revealed in the New Zealand Herald yesterday, Sky has come an agreement with Bein Sports which will see the Premier League back on New Zealand TV screens for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Bein, which is the sports arm of Al Jazeera, had previously outbid both Sky and Coliseum for the New Zealand rights for the next three seasons. The Doha-based network had planned to secure an Asia Pacific Premier League hub but, after they missed some key markets, including Australia, they have been looking to on-sell the New Zealand rights. The two companies reached agreement after months of talks.
Sky’s head of sport Richard Last told Newstalk ZB yesterday their offering will include a 24-hour Premier League channel, including preview and review shows, magazine style shows, fantasy football content as well as live matches and replays. Sky will have additional pop-up channels from Saturday night to Monday morning (NZT) to broadcast additional live matches, allowing fans to choose between simultaneous games.
Last also confirmed that Sky will also carry Bein Sports Two, which will have live matches from Spain’s La Liga and also feature games from France Ligue One.
It’s an impressive offering, which will cost an additional $11.96 a month on top of the standard $77.51 that customers pay to receive Sky’s basic sport’s offering. It means the total cost of watching the ninemonth Premier League season will be around $800, excluding Sky joining fees and other costs for new customers. Premier League Pass charged $199 for the season.
Sky’s other football content, including the Uefa Champions League, the League and FA Cups and A-League will remain within the basic sport package.