English Premier League Looking To Start Online Streaming Site like Netflix - Newslibre

English Premier League Looking To Start Online Streaming Site like Netflix

In the bid to tap into the ever growing internet market, the English Premier League (EPL) is working on plans to create its own Netflix-like streaming service according to it’s new CEO.

Richard Masters has revealed a new ‘Over The Top’ (OTT) service that bypasses traditional TV channels could be in place as early as 2022 in some overseas markets for the EPL.

“During the last [rights bidding] process [for the 2019-22 seasons] we spent quite a lot of time and invested a lot of resources in building our expertise and capacity in ‘direct-to-consumer,” Masters

“We considered whether strategically it would be the right time to test a few markets then and decided not to. We were ready last time and we will be ready next time should the opportunity arise.”

A Netflix-style streaming service, being dubbed ‘PremFlix’, would certainly change the game when it comes to watching football in the UK.

The Premier League looking to create their own streaming platform

English Premier League Looking To Start Online Streaming Site like Netflix - Newslibre
The Premier League is looking to tap into the big market of internet users.

Fans currently have to subscribe to Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime to access every Premier League game.

The cost of all three typically costs about £912 a year, an average of £76 a month.

Amazon’s recent coverage over the Christmas period received praise for new features and in-depth coverage of every game.

Masters has warned there will likely be teething issues with the service. “There is risk associated with it,” Masters stated.

“The Premier League has been successful by seeking partnerships with established broadcasters and having secure funding as its model, as opposed to direct consumer revenue, which is an entirely different strategy. The transition from one to the other if and when it ever happens would be a big moment.”

English Premier League Looking To Start Online Streaming Site like Netflix - Newslibre
Online fans will be able to stream the Premier League games should this come to pass. (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The English top flight currently makes £3.1 billion a year from lucrative TV rights with £1.4 billion coming from overseas buyers.

So while the UK are unlikely to get the service anytime soon due to Sky and BT’s popularity, Masters remains optimistic there is a place for it.

“I’m not saying it will happen in the next cycle or when it will happen but eventually the Premier League will move to a mix of direct consumer and media rights sales.

“It is impossible to say when that will be.”

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