Broadcaster ESPN has been awarded the exclusive mobile highlight rights to all 380 Barclays Premier League matches per season over the next three seasons. The rights will allow ESPN, also a Barclays Premier League TV partner, to deliver in-match, post-match and customized highlights, including goals, to football fans in the UK.
ESPN says it will announce specific plans and products that utilize these rights and connect fans to the Barclays Premier League in the weeks ahead. The new products and services will join ESPNs growing mobile platform that includes mobile web sites for ESPN.co.uk, ESPNSoccernet, ESPNCricinfo, ESPNScrum and ESPNF1, as well as mobile applications.
Mobile devices are an indispensible lifeline for football fans, who expect easy, quick access to the latest goals and action wherever they are, says ESPN Senior Vice President, Lynne Frank. Adding these rights will allow us to advance our commitment to delivering great sport across the many screens UK fans use each day. Since we launched ESPN in the UK less than 250 days ago, we have been dedicated to building the foundation of a long-term relationship with UK sports fans. This is another big step in that process.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore says that ESPNs purchase of Barclays Premier League mobile clip rights demonstrates the companys commitment to the competition and the fans. Mobile is an increasingly important technology as hand-held devices become ever more sophisticated, therefore a good offering with a strong partner is important to us both in terms of accessibility and complementing live coverage, says Sucadmore.