Apple and Google to bid for Premier League football coverage?
4 Jan 2012
Apple and Google are set to join Sky, ESPN and Al-Jazeera in a battle for the rights to show Premier League football.
The two technology giants are said to be keen to enter the market, reports the Daily Mail, with the rights up for tender before the end of this season
The UK TV broadcast rights generated £1.782bn when they were sold for the period 2010-2013, with Sky and ESPN the key players.
Apple already has rights deals in place for basketball and baseball in the US, offering live coverage to Apple TV owners.
With Apple TV and Google TV yet to take off in the UK, could it be that the companies see live football as a possible catalyst?
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Comments
'SkyChavB': how wonderfully put an entire world in one word.
Though i'm a big streaming fan, i would have to agree with Dave. The quality isn't there for streaming, for some people it will go back to the days of spot the football or can you still play that?
This is bad news for supporters and viewers... a bidding war will mean MORE money going to clubs and players and MORE expensive viewing fees. Why can't we have REAL competition in the PPV market so the cost DROPS?
I hope neither Apple or Google get the rights. Streaming still can't compete with broadcast HD PQ and if Apple are involved the costs will probably more expensive than Sky.
JSC Sports (Al-Jazeera) getting it would be great though.
I pray Apple et al lose their battle with SkyChavB re the kickball rights, if only because they'll then turn their attention and war-chests to wrest F1 from SkyChavB, hopefully...
Well that would certainly shake things up if either Apple or Google cover the football in the UK and make people more aware of there products