While it remains unclear what the price plans for the epl fixtures are, SingTel has requested the Minister of Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim to reverse a decision which requires the pay TV operator to share its broadcast rights with rival StarHub. The reason for this move is simple: SingTel wants to offer subscribers exclusive content and sharp insights, and that means cutting the price of its subscription plans.
In response, telcos must follow up with customers to give updates on the suspension. The suspended matches have made some football fans angry, and some want recompense. One fan of Manchester United is returning his subscription to Singtel. Singtel is not providing any compensation for fans who have been deprived of live football matches. Meanwhile, EPL clubs may have to repay as much as PS340 million to their broadcasters.
Cable TV companies have been battling over the rights to the Singapore EPL since the early 2000s. Starhub is one of the major players in this market, and the government-backed Singtel has aggressively raised its bid for the 2010-2013 season to $400 million, and outbid rivals in the process. Fans are forced to pay S$600 per season for the rights to watch EPL games. However, many fans still find it difficult to justify such high prices.
In recent years, the prices of EPL games have skyrocketed. This is a far cry from the days when top games were broadcast for free on public TV. As a result, many local fans have turned to illegal IPTV streaming services to watch their favorite matches. This has been counterproductive to fans, with Malaysia clamping down on illegal IPTV streaming devices. More recently, Vietnam's largest pirate site was also shut down.
Fans of the Premier League will be happy to know that they can finally watch the game at a lower price. StarHub will be broadcasting the entire season starting from the 2022/23 season. In the meantime, subscribers to EPL TV can switch to StarHub to enjoy full coverage of the games. The latter will waive the early termination fee until 30 June. But what about those who can't wait until then?
While Singtel has traditionally been the leading sports broadcaster in Singapore, the latest development in the local broadcasting market is particularly promising. It has won back the EPL broadcast rights from rival Singtel, despite its lack of transparency. StarHub is expected to reveal more details of the deal in June. There is no doubt that the EPL will remain popular in Singapore. The latest deal between Singtel and StarHub paves the way for a more lucrative future for both companies.
