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ESPN to offer Premier League mobile clips
By Andrew Laughlin, Technology Reporter
ESPN has secured mobile rights to highlights from all Premier League games from next season, after beating Sky to the deal.
The Disney-owned sports broadcaster has won a three-year deal for short-form mobile highlights from all 380 Premier League games. It is thought that ESPN paid under £10m for the rights in a blind auction.
Under the new arrangement, ESPN will deliver in-match, post match and customised highlights to mobile smartphones in the UK. The clips can be issued during any matches not kicking off at 3pm on Saturdays, with highlights from those games only being permitted for release after 4.45pm.
Sky previously held the mobile rights after picking them up two years ago from Vodafone and 3. The satellite broadcaster offered the highlights on its 24-7 Football service, with users asked to pay £5 per month or 50p per clip. The platform also carried Champions League highlights, along with Sky Sports News and Soccer AM clips.
Despite losing the short-form coverage, Sky will continue to show full live games on mobile phones via its Sky Mobile TV app.
Celebrating the rights win, ESPN senior vice president and managing director Lynne Frank said: "Mobile devices are an indispensable lifeline for football fans, who expect easy, quick access to the latest goals and action wherever they are.
"Adding these rights will allow us to advance our commitment to delivering great sport across the many screens UK fans use each day."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: "ESPN's purchase of Barclays Premier League mobile clip rights demonstrates their commitment to the competition and the fans."
ESPN, which will broadcast 23 live Premier League games on TV next season, has not yet decided how best to market the highlights, but will confirm plans over the coming weeks.
From next season, the broadcaster will also be able to show 25 live FA Cup matches in standard and high definition
By Andrew Laughlin, Technology Reporter
ESPN has secured mobile rights to highlights from all Premier League games from next season, after beating Sky to the deal.
The Disney-owned sports broadcaster has won a three-year deal for short-form mobile highlights from all 380 Premier League games. It is thought that ESPN paid under £10m for the rights in a blind auction.
Under the new arrangement, ESPN will deliver in-match, post match and customised highlights to mobile smartphones in the UK. The clips can be issued during any matches not kicking off at 3pm on Saturdays, with highlights from those games only being permitted for release after 4.45pm.
Sky previously held the mobile rights after picking them up two years ago from Vodafone and 3. The satellite broadcaster offered the highlights on its 24-7 Football service, with users asked to pay £5 per month or 50p per clip. The platform also carried Champions League highlights, along with Sky Sports News and Soccer AM clips.
Despite losing the short-form coverage, Sky will continue to show full live games on mobile phones via its Sky Mobile TV app.
Celebrating the rights win, ESPN senior vice president and managing director Lynne Frank said: "Mobile devices are an indispensable lifeline for football fans, who expect easy, quick access to the latest goals and action wherever they are.
"Adding these rights will allow us to advance our commitment to delivering great sport across the many screens UK fans use each day."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: "ESPN's purchase of Barclays Premier League mobile clip rights demonstrates their commitment to the competition and the fans."
ESPN, which will broadcast 23 live Premier League games on TV next season, has not yet decided how best to market the highlights, but will confirm plans over the coming weeks.
From next season, the broadcaster will also be able to show 25 live FA Cup matches in standard and high definition