7 ms·

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 does

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)

patrickk 15y 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-Reviews-Manchester_United_Restaurant_Bar-Bangkok.html http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d1588473... [2] http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/sports-upgrades/ http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/sports-upgrades/
- smackfu 15y 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.
  - patrickk 15y ago
    It will be interesting to see what will happen. Personally I can't see Apple or Google or anyone else getting an exclusive right to stream the Premier League through their media streaming device. There would have to be some sort of dual offering, if only for the likes of existing consumers who don't want to know about media devices, for pubs, etc. Traditional broadcasting will be around for quite a while yet - people's attitudes only change so fast.
    - Someone 15y ago
      Is there now? AFAIK, you need a decoder to watch the Premier League live in the UK. The Beeb only shows highlights.
  - kierank 15y ago
    It's not the same thing if the Apple TV can't provide features like comparable HDTV to large parts of the population. "Watching a web stream on your tv" and "Watching TV" aren't the same thing.
jballanc 15y 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...
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- derobert 15y ago
  The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm 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.
  - tjogin 15y ago
    Right, but that assumes Apple would show the Premier League for free and without any ads. Securing rights to popular tv content seems like an extremely good way to seriously establish Apple as a contender in the tv market, and a very nice way to utilize their tremendous and growing pile of cash.
  - mbreese 15y ago
    But even if they did that, what would they watch? You still have to provide compelling content for people to sit down and watch. I can think of nothing that would drive adoption in the UK more than the EPL.
  - r00fus 15y ago
    You think this is about the USD99 Apple TV? No, if Apple is acquiring contents rights, it's not just going to be the "hobby" they have. It's probably related to the rumors of the 50" LCD AppleTV.
kierank 15y 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.

patrickk 15y 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-Reviews-Manchester_United_Restaurant_Bar-Bangkok.html http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d1588473... [2] http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/sports-upgrades/ http://www.sky.com/shop/customer-shop/sports-upgrades/

smackfu 15y 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.
- patrickk 15y ago
  It will be interesting to see what will happen. Personally I can't see Apple or Google or anyone else getting an exclusive right to stream the Premier League through their media streaming device. There would have to be some sort of dual offering, if only for the likes of existing consumers who don't want to know about media devices, for pubs, etc. Traditional broadcasting will be around for quite a while yet - people's attitudes only change so fast.
  - Someone 15y ago
    Is there now? AFAIK, you need a decoder to watch the Premier League live in the UK. The Beeb only shows highlights.
- kierank 15y ago
  It's not the same thing if the Apple TV can't provide features like comparable HDTV to large parts of the population. "Watching a web stream on your tv" and "Watching TV" aren't the same thing.

jballanc 15y 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...

deleted 15y ago
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deleted 15y ago
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derobert 15y ago
The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm 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.
- tjogin 15y ago
  Right, but that assumes Apple would show the Premier League for free and without any ads. Securing rights to popular tv content seems like an extremely good way to seriously establish Apple as a contender in the tv market, and a very nice way to utilize their tremendous and growing pile of cash.
- mbreese 15y ago
  But even if they did that, what would they watch? You still have to provide compelling content for people to sit down and watch. I can think of nothing that would drive adoption in the UK more than the EPL.
- r00fus 15y ago
  You think this is about the USD99 Apple TV? No, if Apple is acquiring contents rights, it's not just going to be the "hobby" they have. It's probably related to the rumors of the 50" LCD AppleTV.

kierank 15y 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.