US Streaming Service Could Use Australian Football As Entryway Into Market
United States (US) streaming service, Paramount+, who are owned by ViacomCBS, could potentially use high priority A-League and W-League games to gain an entry into the Australian streaming market.
In a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, a source familiar with domestic football broadcast talks, who remained anonymous, said that Network Ten (who are owned by ViacomCBS), are one of the two primary contenders (Stan Sport being the second) for rights to the A-League and W-League, which is likely to be decided within the week.
ViacomCBS is preparing to launch Paramount+, a rebranded version of “10 All Access”, with the US streaming agent already home to a number of sporting events, including the UEFA Champions League.
Most matches on Paramount+ would be behind a paywall, yet there would be a free-to-air element to the deal, as current domestic and international football broadcasters Fox Sports’ deal is to expire at the end of June this year.
Broadcast rights for the A-League and W-League are being run separately from Football Australia (FA) for the first time, with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) looking for a deal that reaches a large interest following declines in ratings, crowds and interest in the A-League.
Paramount+ is expected to launch on August 11, with an $8.99 fee per month to subscribers, with sources telling the Sydney Morning Herald that Network Ten have tabled the highest bid for broadcast rights so far, a figure more than $20 million.
