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| July 25, 2007 | |
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Three EPL channels?
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| StarHub likely to offer simultaneous live telecasts of Premiership games | |
| By Marc Lim | |
| FIRST the good news: at least two, possibly three, channels of live English Premier League football await fans next season.
They can also expect footage from Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool's own television networks on a new 24-hour football-only channel. Now, for the not-so-great news: say goodbye to familiar presenters like ESPN StarSports' (ESS) John Dykes and commentators such as Sky Sports' Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. Also out are the exclusive Sky Sports interviews and programmes. StarHub's announcement that it will not rely on ESS for the telecast of English Premier League matches and programmes has received praise as well as criticism from the fans. It revealed on Monday that it would launch a 24-hour channel dedicated solely to the English Premier League when the new season kicks off on Aug 11. It added that Hong Kong-based Goal TV, in association with Dubai's Ten Sports, would produce the pre-match, half-time and post-match shows. Although neither StarHub nor its partners wanted to comment on the programming details, it is believed that fans could be in for a treat of live matches. The company is likely to turn to its own sports channels SuperSports (Ch 22) and SuperSports Plus (Ch 21) to supplement the 24-hour football channel. If it goes ahead with its plans, fans will have the choice of three simultaneous live matches. Last season, fans could choose from only two live matches, one on ESPN and the other on StarSports. However, fans used to the ESS coverage are likely to be disappointed. Tyler - voted the Premier League Commentator of The Decade - and Gray will not be part of StarHub's feed. ESS could feature their commentary because it is Sky Sports' partner. Most of the 15 fans that The Straits Times interviewed greeted StarHub's entry with scepticism. They were especially unhappy that the subscription to StarHub's sports package would be raised from $15 to $25 in October. Only six were not bothered by the change or viewed it with optimism. Said civil servant Kevin Ang, 31: 'I am deeply disappointed. Football for me is not only about watching the match, but also about getting the analysis and views. 'John Dykes, Martin Tyler and even Shebby Singh made watching the English Premier League matches a joy for the last six years. 'I am not sure if the new set-up can replicate that.' While Goal TV has made a name for itself by securing United and Chelsea TV programmes, it is still untested in producing its own programmes. That is where the five-year-old Ten Sports will lend expertise. It has experience in churning out its own cricket and hockey content in South Asia. Goal TV is likely to produce its programmes in Malaysia. Fans of the ESS programmes, such as Nokia Football Crazy and Football Focus, may also be hit. Although ESPN and StarSports will still be available to StarHub subscribers, these shows may not be allowed to run if they contain English Premier League content. Businessman Robert Teo, 45, however, prefers to see the bright side. He said: 'If StarHub is giving us more live matches, I am all for it, even if it may not have presenters as good as John Dykes and Co. 'Given time, it may get better. Let's wait and see.' | |
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