trackrunner
01-07-2012, 03:30 PM
Apple could be set to rush soccer broadcasting into a new era with a revolutionary, multi-billion dollar bid for television rights to the English Premier League.
And it could have implications far beyond soccer.
The technology giant is interested in acquiring exclusive rights to screen EPL games in England when the next package (for the 2013-2016 seasons) is tendered. The Cupertino, Calif., company is set to wade into a bidding war with established television heavyweights such as Rupert Murdoch-owned Sky Sports, ESPN and Al Jazeera.
Using its platform of Apple TV, a small box costing less than $100 that allows users to stream internet content on their television screens, the company already showcases properties from Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. But this is different.
By going for full English television rights to the EPL, one of the most lucrative sports products in the world, Apple could be signaling the start of an assault on cable's turf.
Apple's interest was first revealed by Charles Sale of London's Daily Mail newspaper and was confirmed to ThePostGame by Apple sources on Thursday. The company is still in the early stage of formulating its bidding plans, but is keen to expand its sports packages and it sees soccer as a valuable way to gain a stronger footing in the British market.
"A lack of sports and news programming has always been one of the weaknesses of internet television," says technology expert Arik Hesseldahl, who has covered Apple for more than 10 years in his roles as senior editor of the AllThingsD blog (a partner of the Wall Street Journal) and columnist at Business Week. "Something like EPL rights could serve as a sports anchor to build upon. . .
more at: http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/futuresport/201201/ipitch-apple-prepares-bid-epl-tv-rights
And it could have implications far beyond soccer.
The technology giant is interested in acquiring exclusive rights to screen EPL games in England when the next package (for the 2013-2016 seasons) is tendered. The Cupertino, Calif., company is set to wade into a bidding war with established television heavyweights such as Rupert Murdoch-owned Sky Sports, ESPN and Al Jazeera.
Using its platform of Apple TV, a small box costing less than $100 that allows users to stream internet content on their television screens, the company already showcases properties from Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. But this is different.
By going for full English television rights to the EPL, one of the most lucrative sports products in the world, Apple could be signaling the start of an assault on cable's turf.
Apple's interest was first revealed by Charles Sale of London's Daily Mail newspaper and was confirmed to ThePostGame by Apple sources on Thursday. The company is still in the early stage of formulating its bidding plans, but is keen to expand its sports packages and it sees soccer as a valuable way to gain a stronger footing in the British market.
"A lack of sports and news programming has always been one of the weaknesses of internet television," says technology expert Arik Hesseldahl, who has covered Apple for more than 10 years in his roles as senior editor of the AllThingsD blog (a partner of the Wall Street Journal) and columnist at Business Week. "Something like EPL rights could serve as a sports anchor to build upon. . .
more at: http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/futuresport/201201/ipitch-apple-prepares-bid-epl-tv-rights