A massive void in content has seen streaming services scramble for new content with Stan the Nine Entertainment owned streaming service punting on a low cost $60M leftovers JV deal with Optus, for access to the UK Premier League.

Streamed live in the middle of the night the move appears to be more about gaining subscribers and getting access to Optus customers claim observers, with speculation that the two organisations could also be developing a low-cost streaming puck for Optus customers similar to Foxtel Groups Hubbl offering.

Currently Optus relies on the Fetch TV box, which is now majority owned by archrival Telstra, with a rumoured new low-cost box that will feature multiple streaming capabilities believed to be under consideration.

According to the Nine Media publication AFR Stan will stream the next season of the English Premier League in August under a complex agreement that would ultimately mean Optus subsidises a large proportion of the broadcast rights.

The network expected to pay about $60 million annually for the next three years to broadcast the league according to their sources.

Optus will continue to pay $40 million every year over that time, despite giving up the rights.

The move comes as streaming services such as Stan and Paramount Plus wo are close to cutting a deal with US President Donald Trump, struggling to deliver new ntertainment series such as FBI, NCIS or Blue Bloods and Amazon Prime failing to deliver new content a situation that has seen Australian consumers switch streaming providersastheylookfornewcontent.

Local organisations such as Stan and even Foxtel and Binge , are struggling to access new entertainment content outside of sport with organisations such as Disney, Max and the BBC via their BritBox service now charging for access to content which has in the past been streamed by both Foxtel and Stan.

Recently Foxtel’s executive director of entertainment content and channels Wendy Moore chose to leave the Foxtel Group, who is now seen as being in a key position to grow with unique sports content, following their recent acquisition by DAZN the European sports streaming group who have mega rich backers as well as access to an abundance of sports deals.

According to Hilary Perchard, the CEO of Foxtel, Kayo, and Binge Moore is leaving to “start a new venture” and will remain in the role until the end of the year, to “provide a smooth transition, ensure the team is well-supported through change and allow enough time to put the groundwork in place for the next chapter.”

Perchard said a local and international search is already underway for her replacement.

The deal with Stan will see the end of the Singapore owned Optus Sport, a streaming service that in the past had to refund millions to customers who paid for access to the FIFA Soccer World Cup that turned into a streaming disaster due technical issue that left them with playback errors and vision disconnections.

Under its new deal with Optus, Stan will expand its football offering to include the Premier League, the FA Cup, the K League, and J League.

In 2025 following the deal with DANZ Foxtel Group will continue to be seen as the premier sports streaming group with the organisation holding the sports rights, to the NRL, AFL, Super League, and World Surf League.

Foxtel Group also secured the rights to broadcast the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 through a deal with DAZN.

This includes live coverage of all 63 matches on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, with a dedicated 24/7 channel.

The current minimum price to access Stan Sport is $27 with Nine Entertainment appearing to punt on attracting enough subscribers from Optus Sports to pay for the deal or at best minimise their potential losses on the deal.

The AFR claims that it will take at least 185,000 new subscribers to cover the cost of the Premier League.

Recently Nine chief executive Matt Stanton announced more than $100 million in new cost cuts at the company’s half-year results in February.

Back in 2021 when Optus secured the rights to the English Premier League Nine did not submit a bid.

It’s now been revealed that Optus was losing tens of millions of dollars a year on the deal.