PL banked GBP 200m on internet and mobile rights

The English Premier League has sold off worldwide internet and mobile rights for use as video for the first time in league history.

The league struck deals with nine different companies for a total of nearly GBP 200 million. Each deal runs for three years and will have clips and highlight packages of 1,140 league matches.

Some of the buyers already are using licenses to distribute to other nations. Nimbus and Sportev combined to win the rights in 80 nations, and are in talks with various outlets to distribute material.

Virgin Media already has a deal in place worth GBP 20 million.

While the league has taken in GBP 650 million for its TV rights, the thinking is the internet and global rights will only grow in value.

"The internet and mobile rights are worth less than the broadcast rights because it is not yet a mature market, albeit one that is fast expanding in demand," said a league spokesman. "The broadcast rights also come at a premium because the rights we are selling are for the broadcasting of live footage."

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.