C&W scores exclusive Premier League broadcast rights
John Reid, president of C&W’s consumer division
(CNS): Starting next year, the Premier League will have a new home in the Caribbean, as Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W) has won the exclusive rights to broadcast live all 380 matches per season from 2016/17 to 2018/19.
Beginning August 2016, the Premier League will be available on the Caribbean’s newest sports network, Flow Sports, across 32 countries. C&W was also awarded the mobile clip rights, allowing fans to follow the latest Premier League goals and action on any mobile device.
The Flow network, which is launching next month, will include coverage of international and regional football, cricket, rugby, tennis and athletics, as well as C&W’s exclusive NFL and Rio 2016 Olympics coverage. Flow Sports will broadcast across the region from a new 4K-ready, state-of-the-art facility in Trinidad, offering 24/7 sports coverage in HD.
John Reid, president of C&W’s consumer division, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Premier League across the Caribbean. As the most popular league of the world’s greatest sport, the Premier League will be at the heart of Flow Sports, the region’s newest and largest sports network.
“We are excited as well to bring additional jobs, skills and investment into the Caribbean with our new Trinidad facility, truly showcasing the power of the new Cable & Wireless and our commitment to the region.”
According to C&W’s market research, customers consider sports programming a key component in choosing TV and broadband packages. Approximately 70 percent of customers identify as sports fans, with the Premier League dominating their viewing in the Caribbean, said C&W.
“As the region’s leading quad play operator, we look forward to bringing Caribbean sports fans closer to the action with our innovations in mobile and online viewing,” Reid said. “With our Flow ToGo application and access to mobile clips, fans won’t miss any of the excitement that truly defines this tremendous sports asset. Flow Sports will be available in our basic TV subscription package, meaning more games for more fans, and instantly positioning Flow as the home of sports in the Caribbean.”
Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League said, “We are very pleased that Cable & Wireless Communications has chosen to invest in Premier League broadcasting rights in the Caribbean. We look forward to welcoming them as a new partner and are sure they will do an excellent job making the competition available to fans across the region.”
Category: Football, Sports, Technology
