SingTel beat incumbent provider StarHub to win the exclusive rights. -- PHOTO: AFP
SINGAPORE Telecommunications (SingTel) has won the bid for the exclusive rights to the Barclays Premier League (BPL) for the next three seasons from 2010.
In addition, it has also secured the broadcast rights to ESPN STAR Sports current flagship channel offerings, which cover ESPN, Star Sports and STAR Cricket.
Besides the BPL, SingTel's mioTV will also offer The FA Cup, Formula One, Wimbledon, The Open Championship and US Open Golf Championship among many other world-class sporting events.
Mr Allen Lew, SingTel's chief executive officer Singapore, told the media at Comcentre on Thursday: 'This is a game-changing moment for us.'
Having secured what Mr Lew called an 'iconic content' from its rival StarHub, he assured subscribers that they would not be charged more than what they are currently paying.
SingTel will also look to leverage on its multimedia services through online and mobile platforms.
Thursday's announcement ends a bidding war between Singapore's two pay-TV giants SingTel and StarHub to broadcast live English Premier League matches live. The deadline for submitting bids was Tuesday. SingTel was the first to confirm its interest, releasing a brief at 6pm that day.
Responding, StarHub issued a statement on Thursday afternoon, confirming that it will end ESPN (Channel 23), STAR Sports (Channel 24) and STAR Cricket (Channel 110) with effect from mid-2010.
'While we are committed to offering quality sports content, we are mindful of the balance in meeting consumers' expectations with regard to price, and shareholders' expectations in terms of profits,' said Ms Syron.
'Presently our Sports package is priced below the cost of the content that makes up that package. Our bid for BPL was aggressive, but also made with the intent to hold retail prices stable.'
She said StarHub's exclusive broadcast rights for the current BPL season which will end in May 2010.
'Customers can catch the matches on our pay TV, mobile and online platforms. In addition, sports fans can continue to catch delayed telecasts of BPL matches featuring top clubs Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United on Goal TV 1 and Goal TV 2 for the present and future seasons,' added Ms Syron.
'StarHub carries over 130 channels offering key genres such as education, entertainment, drama and movies, besides sports. StarHub will continue to focus on offering quality content at affordable prices.'
