Optus has been accused of hurting the image of the UK Premier League, with coverage of the preeminent League and clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, getting less media attention than ever before, they have also been accused of not delivering “Premium Coverage”.
While the League was a winner after Optus shelled $189M over three years a price that Foxtel refused to pay Clubs and interest in the League are waning in Australia because fans don’t want to switch to Optus who saw earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation dropped 10.3 per cent to $633m even though mobile subscribers grew according to their latest financials.
The Australian newspaper recently reported that the League is suffering from sharply reduced press coverage and a lower profile in Australia since Optus swooped on rights to the football competition.
Press items in November plunged 29 per cent compared to a year ago when the EPL was broadcast on sports programming broadcaster Fox Sports, according to an analysis by research firm iSentia’s media monitoring service.
While the new deal helped swell the EPL’s coffers, with Optus agreeing to pay a record $189 million over three years, the arrangement is hurting the image of the sport’s top clubs.
Manchester United saw Australian press coverage reverse 10.1 per cent, dealing a blow to efforts to push the club’s brand in the local market.
Recently Alcatel cut a deal with Liverpool that allows them to market to the large Liverpool fan base in Australia.
The Australian said that despite criticism Optus has limited its EPL coverage to its own customers, the telco is currently pursuing broadcast rights for the domestic A-League and a number of Socceroos matches.
It comes after the EPL recently broke its silence over Optus’s beleaguered coverage amid mounting doubts over the telco’s technical capacity to provide a premium service.
Top clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea have invested enormous amounts of money growing their fan bases in Australia.
Despite criticism Optus has limited its EPL coverage to its own customers, the telco is pursuing broadcast rights for the domestic A-League and a number of Socceroos matches. It comes after the EPL recently broke its silence over Optus’s beleaguered coverage amid mounting doubts over the telco’s technical capacity to provide a premium service.
A spokesman for the EPL issued a statement to The Australian that suggested executives are watching the situation closely. “Optus is working very hard to provide the best possible service for fans in Australia,” he said.
