Apple Prepares Bid For EPL TV Rights

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/futuresport/201201/ipitch-apple-prepares-bid-epl-tv-rights

by rmah • 15 years ago

47 26 15 years ago

aidenn0• 15 years ago

Anybody else surprised Google hasn't used it's huge piles of cash to get exclusive content for it's TV offering?

I'm not. I haven't seen numbers on Google TV adoption, but I'd wager it's even less than Apple TV (which I'm not that optimistic about either ATM). Google just started distributing movies on their own last summer (and I think that's only Android phones and not Google TV yet); it'll be a while before they get anywhere near exclusive content.

dangrossman• 15 years ago

No -- what's the point when nobody's watching? The Google TV devices to date have been complete flops. The Logitech Revue sold so poorly stores were returning their inventory; Logitech sent it back out with a "Now with Google TV 3.1" sticker then ended production. Having used one for a year, I doubt even exclusive content would've helped, the device/software was just not up to par. It's a lot better now but too late for the first generation partners.

smackfu3• 15 years ago

The entire point is to use it to sell the device and create customers.

Same reason DirectTV has an exclusive on NFL Sunday Ticket, and Sirius hired Howard Stern.

ugh• 15 years ago

The whole point is that you can get away with terrible devices if you have the right content. Have you tried using those receivers you get if you want pay-TV? They are all terrible.

roc• 15 years ago

No, but I am surprised they haven't used their huge piles of cash to get exclusive content for Youtube; which, by proxy, would also fuel demand for Google TV. (Even if it would still get largely ignored in favor of things like the Boxee Box and Roku)

ConstantineXVI2• 15 years ago

Unless Apple's writing a very lucrative check upfront, I fail to see how the EPL would go for this. Apple TV (or Google TV, or any other TV platform) still doesn't have anywhere the reach of good old-fashioned cable. I'd understand a steaming partnership, but full rights would be suicide on the EPL's part (though very profitable for Apple while it lasts)

patrickk2• 15 years ago

I doubt they would give away full rights. They would probably split them into traditional TV and online streaming. But this could be a massive opportunity for both the Premier League and Apple to gain further inroads in Asia, where the Premier League has a massive following[1]. It could also be a cheaper way for current Sky Sports subscribers to get a Premier League subscription (currently you pay £20 in UK on top of your regular Sky package to be able to watch the Premier League[2]).

[1] A Manchester United-themed bar restaurant, for example: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d1588473...

[2] http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/sports-upgrades/

smackfu3• 15 years ago

"They would probably split them into traditional TV and online streaming."

The issue is that online streaming via an Apple TV and satellite via a Sky box are really the same thing from the consumer perspective, football on their TV. So I doubt either would accept partial rights being given to someone else unless the price was the same.

jballanc2• 15 years ago

From TFA: the last bid for 4 years of broadcast rights went for $2.5B and Apple currently holds north of $85B in the bank. I think Apple can afford it.

Also, how much does the average cable subscription cost in the UK? How many months would you have to forgo cable to completely make up the cost of an Apple TV? It's possible that EPL would loose some casual fans who are not willing to make that compromise, but you better believe that there will be lines of die-hard fans at the Apple store waiting to buy their $99 Apple TV should this happen.

Definitely an interesting move on Apple's part...

derobert• 15 years ago

The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm) tells me there are 17 million families in the UK. 99*17 million = 1.7B.

So, if Apple wants AppleTV adoption in the UK, it'd be cheaper for them to just mail every household in the UK a free Apple TV.

kierank2• 15 years ago

Apple TV (or Google TV, or any other TV platform) still doesn't have anywhere the reach of good old-fashioned cable.

Well you could have said the same thing in the early days of Sky satellite television when they bought the EPL rights. Coverage at the time with number of receivers couldn't match BBC/ITV but the Premier League followed the money.

Zirro• 15 years ago

I'm surprised that people are talking about the little-black-box-Apple TV. To me, this seems like a great way to introduce the "real" Apple TV (iTV?), with a big screen. Some rumours say it'll be ready by the end of the year.

dstengle• 15 years ago

Great. All I need is device lock-in for content. We used to pay for episodes of TV shows on itunes and it was a relief to be able to get the content through other channels (no pun intended).

For quite a while now, it hasn't been necessary to have cable. Unfortunately, a lot of content providers are offering stuff directly from their own websites, but only if you have a cable subscription!

smackfu3• 15 years ago

Don't you already need a Sky box to watch EPL? Cord-cutting in general has big issues with live sports.

cjbos• 15 years ago

You can watch almost all the EPL games in the US with foxsoccer.tv on any computer that has flash installed. (Costs me about $15 per month).

You used to be able to stream the Tri-Nation and Super 15 Rugby games as well, but Direct TV brought the rights, and now you can only watch them here if you have a direct tv satellite dish (The don't offer the games for streaming). This was very stupid of SANZAR, now everyone is getting into the European games instead.

jfasi• 15 years ago

This is exactly what I was afraid of when Steve Jobs died. Apple is starting to go into stupid crap again.

gavinballard• 15 years ago

I think this is based on some outdated information. The Guardian is now discrediting the idea that Apple will make a bid: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jan/04/apple-premier...

Apple Prepares Bid For EPL TV Rights

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