NBC RENEWS DEAL WITH ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE FOR SIX YEARS

Traditionally a three-year deal, the English Premier League’s extension with NBC is for double that.

The company’s networks will broadcast the top European soccer league through 2021-22 under the new agreement announced Monday. NBC had initially won the rights in 2012 from Fox and ESPN with a three-year contract.

The company submitted both three- and six-year bids, NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus said on a conference call. The longer term “we found tremendously valuable and important,” he added.

Financial terms were not released, but Lazarus acknowledged the fees had increased from the current $250 million, three-year deal. He recalled telling Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s executive chairman, during the 2012 negotiations: “If we are successful, we know we are going to have to pay more money to retain these rights.”

“That has happened,” Lazarus said with a chuckle, “and we are proud that it was successful in growing the league, because we have grown and benefited, as well.”

Viewership has been soaring for international soccer in the U.S., making the Premier League a hot property with most major sports rights locked up long term.

The Premier League draws a young, affluent audience that for advertisers is “becoming more and more elusive in television and in television sports,” Lazarus said.

NBC Sports will continue to broadcast every Premier League match on TV and through streaming. USA Network added games this season to go along with NBC and NBCSN, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and NBC Universo.