It has been revealed today that the Premier League have concluded a new deal for the TV rights in the Middle East and North Africa, which means that the top four teams will earn even more next season than usual.
A report from Sportspromedia said: More money has rolled in for the Premier League, England’s top tier of soccer competition, with the agreement of a new broadcast deal in the Middle East and North Africa.
Abu Dhabi Media Company has secured the television, internet and mobile rights to the competition for its next three-year cycle, from the beginning of the 2010/11 season until the summer of 2013. ADMC will replace the current rights-holder, Showtime Arabia. While ADMC’s sports channels are broadcast free-to-air, the broadcaster will look to maximise revenues by partnering with local pay-TV broadcasters.
“This is a defining moment for Abu Dhabi and our media company as we establish a partnership with the world’s most exciting football league,” said ADMC chief executive Edward Borgerding. “We look forward to many years of cooperation with the Premier League to develop the brand in the Arab world and to maximise the exposure to Arab-speaking families in the Middle East and North African region.”
The deal comes at what could be a crucial time for the Premier League. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has once again called for the introduction of a European Super League, which would include the Premier League’s ‘big four’ – Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. A key part of that league’s attraction would be increased broadcast revenues to its members.
Like the Bundesliga in Germany and La Ligue in France, the Premier League operates on a collective selling basis, with broadcast money distributed to clubs according to where they finish in the league table. While that means the ‘big four’ collect far more than the teams in the lower reaches of the table, they do not have access to the vast revenues earned by the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, which sell their rights individually.
Though the Premier League’s international television rights are dwarfed by its domestic deals, the league hopes to raise over a billion dollars globally from deals for the 2012-2013 cycle. The deal with ADMC is believed to be worth around US$30 million more than the US$120 million Showtime Arabia paid for the current rights.
The money keeps rolling in, and with Man City and Portsmouth being bought by Arab billionaires it can only increase in value. Is it time that Premier League clubs reduced entry fees to real fans as the money from TV earns them so much?
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“Is it time that Premier League clubs reduced entry fees to real fans as the money from TV earns them so much?”
Not if the Club uses the extra money to improve the team with new players.
‘Real fans’ don’t have a problem getting tickets.