StarHub introduces annual pass for English Premier League games
StarHub's Premier League subscribers will also get access to the EPL’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service in Singapore, said the broadcaster.
by Matthew Mohan · CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
SINGAPORE: StarHub is introducing a new annual pass for English Premier League (EPL) games next season, days after the EPL announced the prices for a new direct-to-consumer streaming service in Singapore.
The broadcaster, which owns the rights to show EPL matches in Singapore, does not currently offer an annual pass.
From next season, StarHub customers can pay S$238 (US$186) for a 12-month subscription, while non-customers have to pay S$380. This will launch on Jun 1.
Earlier this week, the Premier League announced the subscription options and prices for its new streaming service, Premier League +. Its annual pass is priced at S$399.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
The move was announced on Thursday (May 21) by StarHub’s vice president of entertainment Yann Courqueux at a press conference with former EPL stars Joe Cole and Nemanja Vidic, who are in Singapore for a series of promotional events.
Mr Courqueux said the new Premier League streaming service “complements very well” the offering from StarHub.
Every StarHub Premier League subscriber will get access to the Premier League + app, he added.
With the Premier League + app, fans can go “very deep” with the Premier League topics and content. But with the StarHub app, viewers can go “very wide”, and can watch other competitions and sports.
'NOT ABOUT SUBSTITUTING'
Speaking to CNA, Mr Courqueux said the EPL is "absolutely not" trying to compete against StarHub and get its subscribers.
"They want to show that we can complement without any substitution. And that's very important for the Premier League as well, to show that the Singapore case can be replicated elsewhere successfully, and broadcasters should not be afraid of this dual model," he added.
"What we're trying to do is show we can complement each other and enhance the access to the market, make it more widely available, but it's not about substituting."
StarHub holds the EPL broadcast rights in Singapore through the 2027/28 season. Mr Courqueux said that discussions have not begun on whether this will be extended.
The EPL streaming service was first announced by league CEO Richard Masters at the FT Business of Football Summit in February. This is the first time the EPL has launched a direct-to-fans streaming service anywhere in the world.
Mr Courqueux said that this was a move which StarHub and the league planned together.
"The future is hybrid. This mode of hybrid exclusivity or joint exclusivity, I think, is what works best," he added.
StarHub currently provides access to Premier League matches, including via streaming, through its Premier+ pack, which costs S$40.74 a month. Existing StarHub customers pay S$25.46 a month for the pack.
Besides the annual pass, the Premier League + app is also offering a monthly pass at S$44, with the flexibility to cancel anytime. It also offers a 24-hour pass for S$16.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app