Optus Football & EPL in Aus.

[Rowdy]

Optus, SBS strike FTA Premier League deal:

Optus has announced it has struck an EPL deal with SBS and unveiled plans for coverage of the 2018 World Cup and a 24/7 football channel.

Today's announcement means two new deals in which football fans across Australia will be able to watch more than double the number of international football matches on free-to-air TV.

Starting with the 2016-17 season, Optus will sub-licence exclusive free-to-air TV rights of one English Premier League (EPL) match per round to SBS for the next three seasons until 2018-2019.

SBS will broadcast matches live and in HD on its main channel (featuring every EPL team at least once throughout the season) as well as providing simultaneous live streaming. SBS will also show a replay of each match within 72 hours.

Under the 2018 FIFA World Cup sub-licence deal, SBS will retain simultaneous free-to-air rights to 25 of the matches and Optus will have exclusive rights to the whole tournament, with 39 exclusive live matches. Optus will deliver the entire 2018 FIFA World Cup across multiple platforms and devices.

SBS’s 2018 FIFA World Cup free-to-air rights will include one live match per day and SBS will have first pick, including the opening match and all Australian matches. The deal also secures the free-to-air broadcast of four matches from the round of 16, two quarter finals, both semi-finals and the final. SBS will retain daily highlights rights, including every match from the tournament.

Optus will also have live rights across multiplatforms to other FIFA Events in the period 2017-2019, including the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with SBS holding free-to-air TV rights to some matches.

Among the plans - Australia’s first ever 24/7 football channel dedicated exclusively to the English Premier League, and carried on Optus’ subscription TV platform, Optus TV with Fetch. With up to 10 sub-channels, Optus will accommodate every match of every round live, so fans never miss a minute of the action on match day.

The dedicated EPL channel will give fans access to:

Brand new pre and post-match magazine shows and game-day analysis live from the UK, including Matchday Live, Football Today and Kick Off;New daily EPL news programming and interactive shows such as Fanzone;A full suite of English Premier League-produced programs including World, Netbusters and the Saturday and Sunday Review shows; andOn-ground match analysis and reports provided by the Premier League’s own pool of experts.

SBS Managing Director and Chief Executive, Michael Ebeid said: “International football is at the very heart of SBS and our purpose to inspire understanding between our diverse multicultural communities. We are pleased to partner with Optus to deliver a deal that gives football fans much more international football on free-to-air TV throughout the year.

“These innovative agreements disrupt the old models of TV delivery in Australia and also ensure SBS can responsibly invest in an ongoing commitment to providing fans with universal and free access to international football, in our rapidly changing media landscape.”

Optus Chief Executive Officer, Allen Lew said: “Through our partnerships with SBS and the English Premier League, Optus is completely reinventing how Australians engage with football. We are delighted to be collaborating with SBS to give Australians an unrivalled viewing experience, with the option to watch football on the platform and device of their choice.”

SBS Director Sport, Ken Shipp said: “The goal of SBS has always been to deliver the very best of world football to Australian audiences and in all of our agreements, SBS is forward looking and these arrangements are at the very cutting edge of sports rights.”

 

[FFC Mariner]

Bye Telstra.

Probably Foxtel too. Or at least a reduced package. If HAL goes to free to air they will really struggle

The bright spot is the Mariners haters on Fox might get thinned out a bit

 

[Rowdy]

I'll definitely be re-evaluating my Fox subscription of the Sport Package.

Cant see myself with another bloody box (Optus Fetch) even though I have home phone & broadbabd with them.

Hope there'll be just a streaming option for online.

 

[Big Al]

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/euros-tv-deal-brings-big-foxtel-change#:Sw1pjXA0WA5OIA

BeIn sports now part of sports package in response to EPL loss

 

[FFC Mariner]

Foxtel equalises out of nowhere

 

[Rowdy]

Optus unveil EPL coverage pricing:

Optus has today unveiled their pricing structure for the 2016/17 English Premier League season - however to get in on the action, you'll have to sign up with Optus.

New and existing customers can choose from a range of postpaid mobile, mobile broadband, and home broadband bundles, and then add EPL from $15 extra per month.

For eligible plans valued at $85 per month and above, EPL will be included at no extra cost.

Optus will provide subscribers with a dedicated 24/7 Premier League channel, with nine sub-channels, so every game will be shown live and exclusive through the Optus network.

In addition, any English Premier League streaming is unmetred and will not count towards a subscribers data allowance and using screen-in-screen technology, up to four devices can watch up to four games at once.

Ben White, Managing Director of Marketing and Product at Optus, is confident that when people see what Optus is offering they will make the switch to secure EPL.

“While you’ll need to be an Optus customer to get all the EPL action, Optus research shows that close to two in three (63%) football fans, who are not already Optus customers, are out of contract for at least one of their fixed broadband or mobile services," he said.

For those who cannot commit to a long-term plan with Optus, there is a BYO Mobile post-paid option.

Optus customers can pre-order on May 15.


Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/optus-unveil-epl-coverage-pricing#sS1E0CFCRtlhgwEa.99

___________________________________________

bit more info from TWG website:

Fans will be able to choose their level of access to EPL content from the following options:

Every match live: Australia’s first 24/7 EPL channel boasts up to nine sub-channels for viewers.

Dedicated EPL channel: Devoted exclusively to the English Premier League, Optus’ 24/7 EPL channel will carry all 380 live matches of the 2016-2017 season, as well as EPL news and analysis offered in Australia with shows including Match of the Week, News, Fanzone and Match Day Live.

Un-metered EPL: Streaming EPL over the Optus mobile and fixed network will be data free on eligible plans. This means customers accessing the content from an eligible plan will be able to stream as much EPL content as they want, without using their mobile, mobile broadband or home broadband data allowance.

Device of your choice: Optus will launch new mobile and tablet apps, and a dedicated website that will allow customers to synch up to four devices through their subscription.

Screen-in-screen viewing: Subscriptions come with access to a dedicated new website that supports up to four screens, for those times when games are on at the same time.

Ben White, Managing Director of Marketing and Product at Optus said, “From mobile plans with generous data and call inclusions, through to home broadband plans that come with unlimited data, Yes TV by Fetch, and the EPL included, Optus has a great range of EPL plans suited to all lifestyles and budgets.”



All Optus EPL content will also be available on Fetch TV.

 

[Rowdy]

Fcuking Stoked !

Already with Optus on their unlimited H.Ph/Internet bundle for $90 a month, so EPL for FREEEEEE.

Happy Days !

Now, just have to organise the free FETCH TV set-top box offered as a part of that unlimited bundle deal for free, that I didnt bother with.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Pay to stream it or stream for free.

Fairly easy decision really

 

[nearlyyellow]

WGAFF

 

[pjennings]

FOXTEL has signed broadcast agreements with six major English Premier League clubs and will add three new 24 hour channels to the Sports Pack for no extra charge.

Deals have been secured to add three 24/7 new channels broadcasting the official TV channels of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. These will launch on July 1, raising the number of sports channels from 12 to 15.

In addition Fox Sports will broadcast dedicated programming blocks from Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

All games from the six clubs in the EPL, FA Cup and Capital One Cup will be shown on delay.

Fans of other clubs will see their teams play at least 12 times, providing subscribers with more than half the games played each EPL season.

In addition, there will be exclusive access to each of the major clubs including pre-season games, player and management interviews, manager’s press conferences, and extended in-depth pre-match build up and post-match analysis.

Games played overnight Saturday night (3pm London time) will be available to views from 1pm AEST on Sundays.


Peter Tonagh, Foxtel Chief Executive said: “The addition of these dedicated new sports channels is a huge win for English football fans who subscribe to Foxtel. These channels, along with the recently announced beIN SPORTS channels, will be compulsory viewing for all fans of international football and will also complement the FOX SPORTS coverage of the local A-League competition.

“Our new EPL Club partners are global brands in their own right and have large groups of dedicated supporters in Australia making up more than 75 per cent of the English football fan base here. Our customers will now have access to commentary, analysis, insight and behind the scenes action they’ve never seen before.

“We know how much Australians love sport and these new channels, all available in HD, will make Foxtel an even more compelling proposition and cementing us as the new home of European football.”

All of the new sports channels will also be available to stream via Foxtel Go and Foxtel Play, giving sports subscribers the flexibility to enjoy the service anytime, anywhere.

The channels join the recently announced beIN SPORTS 1,2,3 which will be available to Foxtel sports subscribers from Saturday May 14, 2016. beIN SPORTS will be the only place to see all 51 games from UEFA EURO 2016 live and in HD.

CLUB BY CLUB DETAILS OF THE NEW CHANNELS AND COVERAGE (from July 1)

Chelsea TV. New channel on 516.

• Every Chelsea FC game from the FA Premier Cup, FA Cup, Capital One Cup, pre-season Tour

matches and extended highlights.

• Unrivalled behind-the-scenes access to coaches and players at Stamford Bridge and the training

ground.

• U21 Premier League, U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup, UEFA Youth League, Women’s

Champions League games.

• Pitch side reports, latest team news, post-match reaction, audio commentary.

• Daily training ground reports, new signing interviews, manager and player match previews,

manager’s press conferences.

• Original documentaries and specials


LFCTV. New channel on 517.

Every game from Liverpool FC in the FA Premier League, FA Cup, Capital One Cup and

qualifying UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League and pre-season matches.

• Live and exclusive pre-season matches, behind-the-scenes access, and live news.

• Exclusive new interviews, features and documentaries.

• Extended in-depth pre-match build up and post-match analysis.

• Exclusive, live coverage of all U18s and U21s home matches and coverage of the Liverpool

Ladies FC season.

• Premier League preview show, Press Box, Thursday Night Show, LFC World.

MUTV. New channel on 518.

• All Manchester United FA Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup matches in full.

• Exclusive interviews with players and staff, live reserve and academy games and “classic”

matches, footballing news and all of the team’s pre-season friendly matches.

• Exclusive documentaries, player interviews, manager’s weekly press conference and match

analysis.

• Live Under 21 and Under 18 matches with full replays of all first team games.

• Match day build-up and analysis, pre and post-match opinions and interviews.

• Breaking news from across the Club every hour, every day.

• Documentaries, historic matches and footage charting over 130 years of Manchester United.

Arsenal TV (FOX SPORTS programming block)

• Arsenal’s exclusive and entertaining club football content block featuring EPL, Emirates FA Cup, UEFA Champions League matches, plus press conferences and magazine programs.

• Full Arsenal matches delivered each week.

• Press conferences, Arsenal 360, classic matches and localised extra content.

Manchester City — City TV (FOX SPORTS programming block)

• Premier League Games, Champions / Europa League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup plus a pre-

season special block including the summer tour and friendly games.

• Pre-game build-up segments, full match and post-match reactions.

• In depth interviews, classic archive footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes access.

Tottenham Hotspurs FC — Spurs TV (FOX SPORTS programming block)

• Premier League Games, Champions / Europa League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup plus a pre-

season special block including the summer tour and friendly games.

• Spurs TV international programming highlighting each weekend’s first team fixture along with pre

and post-match interviews with head coach and players.

• Special Spurs TV features, with off-field challenges giving fans a chance to get to know more

about the members of the team they support every week on the pitch

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/premier-league/foxtel-signs-deal-with-six-epl-giants-including-three-new-24-hour-channels/news-story/61fbf9852a969d63e60a5ed9a8f138bc

 

[Rowdy]

Having the abillity to see these EPL clubs Youth Teams playing now is absolutely awesome.

About time Foxtel pulled it's proverbial finger out and upped the ante for its Football fans. It's a shame it took Optus stealing the rights to the EPL from under their noses for it to happen.

Fox should've given the sport the respect it deserves long ago.

I would often look at Fox's sport tv guide and fathom to think how the AFL can have a dedicated channel 24/7, BUT - 'The World Game' of Football couldnt. Bonkers.

The next step I think that could help the A-League grow would be for the FFA to invest the dollars with the aide of production from Foxtel to create a dedicated 'A-League' channel.

Working with each of the clubs to help create content for the channel - replicating what EPL clubs are doing in their 'MANUTV Channel' etc &/or inspiring new stuff for the Australasian market. Eg. the player interviews, press releases/breaking news from each club, archival flashbacks tying in with club legends/coaches interviews + relate it back to current team's progression etc. etc.

Bring back the NYL when a decent sponsorship can help make it viable for flying/accoming the kids and these games could be telecast and added to the package as well.

Telvised NPL games and the early rounds of the FFA Cup between the State based Clubs, further to that progression.

Eventually Clubs could even take control of the direction of their own content & production, which would ultimately generate income.

The Footballing holligan Chimpanzee that Fox have 'kept in the cage', will soon enough become the rampaging 10 tone Gorilla that will lay waste to the rival codes in this country - that have been destructively throwing bananas at us for years.

A Gorilla of that size,
eating all those bananas leaves nothing ......... but banana skins.
To them I say, "cushion yourselves for the slip".

 

[Big Al]

All I watch is the highlight show but even don't bother most weeks when I can see all the goals on fox sports news the morning after.

Do that many people stay up all night to watch or just tape it?

 

[Rowdy]

Do that many people stay up all night to watch or just tape it?

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
- Bill Shankly.

 

[Rowdy]

Optus are now offering EPL for FREE !! to eligible existing customers AND to new customers who sign up before 31 July

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/06/06/optus-alter-epl-pricing-plans-football-fans

http://www.optus.com.au/epl

 

[Rowdy]

Optus unveil EPL apps and $30/month mobile deal:

Optus have lifted the lid on their EPL offering for next season – and now a $30/month postpaid mobile phone plan will get you full, free EPL access.

The telecoms firm has reacted to a fan backlash and widespread confusion over their deals for next season after they outbid Fox Sports for the EPL rights in Australia in a three year $180m deal.

Under the new offering:-

* The minimum cost is a $30/month mobile phone postpaid contract including calls and data.

* You don’t need to stream it over Optus.

* Apps will be available on iPhones, iPads, Apple TV and Android.

* And an optional new $5 a month mini Fetch TV box will be available to stream the EPL onto your big screen TV, regardless of your home broadband supplier.

Registering before July 30 with a minimum $30 postpaid mobile phone plan will include calls, data and EPL access on up to four mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop devices.

Signing up after that date may cost an extra $15 a month, depending on your mobile plan.

After registering, a login will allow you to use the new Optus EPL app on iOS or Android apps and connect to the internet whatever way you like.

Customers with an Apple TV 4 will be able to watch on their big screen TV via an app, while older Apple TV users can stream the action from their mobile or desktop connection by Airplay.

Android apps weren’t showcased today but are on the way and likely to include Chromecast capability, similar to Apple’s Airplay.

For an extra $5 a month, you can get the the new Fetch Mini box which operates in the same way as an Apple TV, allowing you to stream the action to your big screen via any kind of non-mobile broadband. It also includes apps for other streaming TV services like Netflix and Stan.

Optus broadband customers can also watch on the full-size Fetch TV set top box, whether or not they have the full Yes TV entertainment package.

The latest mobile apps on display today allow users to follow the action with just one tap after launching the app, with the ability to skip back to kick off if you come in to the match late.

It will also feature full replays of every game a minute after the full-time whistle blows, and will bring a full package of features, panel shows, analysis and highlights 24x7.

Although four devices can be registered (and changed), only one can be active at any one time.

However the app allows for split screen/picture in picture viewing of two different games simultaneously, while a third can also be showing on your big screen TV via a set top box.

Optus Head of TV and Content Paul Rybicki said they’d designed the app after studying the success of similar online sports apps worldwide.

He added: “We looked at markets where sport is delivered over the internet already — the US in particular with NFL, NBA and baseball.

“All of those sports are quite ahead of us in terms of delivering content over the internet.”

Rural viewers or customers in internet black spots can access the same satellite broadcast of games to their TV that Optus will be delivering to pubs and clubs around the country for a $250 installation fee, plus ongoing monthly fees.

The Optus experience begins next month when they screen the International Champions Cup as a warm up to the EPL coverage starting in August, with the apps set to be publicly available from July 4.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Why waste the money to stream it? Streams are available for free.

 

[Rowdy]

‘Not live !’ - EPL fan takes Optus to ACCC:

Optus’s English Premier League headaches threaten to worsen, with doubts raised about the telecommunication company’s technical capacity to provide a premium service.

With the company facing a barrage of criticism over its coverage so far, some customers have accused Optus of misleading the public with its claim to provide live coverage.

Customer David Feeney of Sydney has complained to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that Optus had breached the commission’s “false and misleading” provisions by advertising the English football broadcasts as “live” when they were consistently delayed 45 to 60 seconds.

“I just want the games to be shown live,” Mr Feeney told The Australian. “It’s completely unacceptable, this is the most popular sport in the world.”

He said an online chat group with friends in Ireland in previous seasons was no longer possible during games because of Optus’s streaming delay.

“It just kills the enjoyment,” he said. “My friends celebrate the goal that’s just been scored and I won’t see it on my screen for a whole minute. Sports have to be live, and Optus just doesn’t have the ability to deliver it live as advertised. I have to just sit on my own watching the game with no mates and no social media — you can’t talk to anyone during the game. I’m extremely frustrated.”

This weekend is shaping up as a key test for Optus with a blockbuster match, Manchester City against Manchester United, and the telco updating its EPL app to improve performance.

An Optus spokeswoman acknowledged “teething problems” and complaints from customers. She said the delay was inherent in the technology.

“In terms of slight delays, new platforms that deliver ‘over-the-top’ video content via broadband and mobile networks need to be digitised to ensure quality and security,” she said.

“This adds time on top of the traditional terrestrial and satellite broadcast. This is consistent with the viewing experience on other web-based or app content services operating in Australia. We know EPL fans are passionate and we will continue to welcome feedback from them to ensure they have a great experience.”

Optus took the EPL rights from Fox Sports Australia earlier this year for an estimated $189 million after Foxtel held the local EPL broadcast rights for 18 seasons. Fox Sports Australia is owned by News Corp, publisher of The Australian.

..... absolutely ridiculous !

 

[dibo]

Cable TV isn't quite live either - there's a delay compared to DVB and especially ATV because the compression and decompression and other video and audio processing takes time. For proof, next time the Mariners play, turn on a radio broadcast at the same time - the timing is out. It's a matter of a few seconds, but it's not live.

The question then is "how much delay is acceptable for a product to be considered 'live'?"

 

[Rowdy]

When is fresh NOT fresh ?

It's equivalent to suing Woolworths, who advertise that they're "the fresh food people" because the produce they sell:
wasn't grown 'inside the store',
& actually came via a truck,
on a highway,
from interstate,
........ so therefore isn't 'technically' fresh.

Optus should just sling the shit onto Malcom Turnbull & his pathetic NBN.

........ "Blame it on the copper"

 

[Rowdy]

Cable TV isn't quite live either - there's a delay compared to DVB and especially ATV because the compression and decompression and other video and audio processing takes time. For proof, next time the Mariners play, turn on a radio broadcast at the same time - the timing is out. It's a matter of a few seconds, but it's not live.

The question then is "how much delay is acceptable for a product to be considered 'live'?"

Agree, I've watched the Mariners play at CC Stadium a number of times from a corporate box (which have tv's with Foxtel coverage of the game) and when a bad tackle or dubious offside call occurs & you want see for yourself (because the big screen doesnt replay it - due to it being a controversial incident and the FFA do NOT want to incite a riot )

One has to wait for the corporate box tv with Foxtel 'live' coverage to basically catch-up.