Premier League exclusive broadcast in India is poised to complete two decades on Star Sports network channels as nation’s leading sports broadcaster has extended its media rights deal for the next three-season cycle – 2019-2020 to 2022-2023.
EPL media rights second consecutive stint with Star India is agreed with a commercial hit for the Football Association-backed top flight club football competition in England. For the second successive cycle Star has agreed the deal for a reduced price.
Star Sports three years back had inked the deal to extend the Premier League exclusive rights for the Indian sub-continent on up to a 20% cut on the previous cycle’s value. InsideSport.co had reliably learnt that the rates are further slashed by 15% this time.
Premier League had confirmed most of its global media rights deals earlier last month. However, the agreement for the Indian sub-continent was delayed as Star Sports was not ready to match Premier League’s commercial expectations.
Star India, which has been broadcasting the Premier League in the sub-continent for 18 years, has also drawn football fans wrath for ignoring some key EPL clashes to accommodate Select Dugout studio shows on Star Sports Select 1 HD and Star Sports Select 2 HD during the Indian Premier League this year.
The disappointed football fans have gone to the extent of asking Star Sports to “not to bid for football again”. There had been a flurry of social media posts slamming star for not showing key games involving teams like Liverpool and Manchester United on the designated football channels.
Calling all #PL fans – the international break is DONE and club football action is ?.
It’s time to get out that ? again. ? pic.twitter.com/4P92Euy5NP— Star Sports Football (@StarFootball) March 29, 2019
Calling all #PL fans – the international break is DONE and club football action is ?.
It’s time to get out that ? again. ? pic.twitter.com/4P92Euy5NP— Star Sports Football (@StarFootball) March 29, 2019
Calling all #PL fans – the international break is DONE and club football action is ?.
It’s time to get out that ? again. ? pic.twitter.com/4P92Euy5NP— Star Sports Football (@StarFootball) March 29, 2019
Star Sports’ football portfolio includes Premier League, German top division club competition Bundesliga as well as Indian club competitions – Indian Super League and I-League.
The broadcaster had also scaled back the I-League coverage in favour of cash-rich and glamorous ISL.
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