Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Eight plays a season is likely to be rivalling for spectators with prime-time Saturday night programming
As well as these changes, the present Sky-BT duopoly could be shaken up by new digital entrants, with WPP advertising ministerial Sir Martin Sorrell and Manchester United boss Ed Woodward among those predicting an entry into the bid campaign by a tech whale such as Amazon, Facebook, Twitter or Netflix.
Bids are due in by the end of January, with the acquiring bidder set to be announced in the early stages of February.
‘Bidding imponderables’
“It is the most fascinating tender process ever, ” says one TV industry insider with lengthy knowledge of the boasts rights bidding process.
“There are so many imponderables. Is the plays right bubble going to burst? Are these new appoints in the make going to probability coming in at the very top just before the bubble potentially sounds?
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Industry fleshes will be watching closely to see if claims qualities continue to rise
“Or maybe they will decide to wait this time and see if it does abound, and they can then gather up privileges cheaper next time round.”
A number of tech monsters have already dipped their toes into the world of live broadcasted sport.
Amazon loss-leader?
For example, Amazon has already vanished for year-round material by assuring ATP tennis rights. Amazon Prime members in the UK and Republic of Ireland will have access to 37 ATP world tour phenomena.
Image copyright Amazon/ Youtube Image caption Amazon is applying its Prime assistance to establish ATP tennis in the UK
The move was groundbreaking in that it witnes tennis move away from from usual linear TV to an over-the-top( OTT) offering selling instantly to customers through the internet – bypassing telecommunications, cable or program television service providers.
Amazon then snarled up the UK freedoms to the US Open tennis tournament, precipitating speculation it is now ready to bid for Premier League freedoms.
“I am predicting that if they were able to acquire a packet or two of recreations it would be a loss-leader to drive people to Amazon Prime, ” says the boasts liberties industry insider.
“But I am not sure if there is enough material in the Premier League freedoms for the Amazon business model. Also it might not be premium fairly. No offence to these sororities, but something like Stoke City against Huddersfield Town might not be a great offering for them.
Image copyright BBC Sport
“Also Premier League football has not got great re-usability. It is not like a Tv curriculum or cinema where it doesn’t matter if “youre watching” it two days later.
“After a Premier League recreation everyone knows the score and the excitement is quickly gone.”
Facebook ‘determined’
Facebook has also refused to rule out penetrating the Premier League dictate to stream live coincides. In coincidence with Fox Sports it has streamed a number of Uefa Champions League tournaments on Facebook Live this season.
Meanwhile, the ICC’s Champions Trophy cricket final was broadcast live their lives Facebook in June in countries where no broadcaster had bought the rights.
Image copyright FACEBOOK/ FOX SPORTS Image caption Facebook partnered Fox Sports in the US to show Champions League competitions
And this autumn it unsuccessfully entreat $610 m( PS456m) for the rights to stream five years of cricket sports from the Indian Premier League.
“That IPL bid was really interesting as it showed they are really determined to be a boasts musician, ” says Robin Jellis, editor of publication TV Sports Markets.
“If a new participate does come in it given the opportunity to drive up the costs, which is not something the Premier League will object to.
“The biggest move of the price for them is rival, or realized competition.”
New Sky channels
The biggest player that any serious opponent is also necessary to take over is Sky, of course, which has regarded titles to live Premier League activities since the foundation of the contender back in season 1992 -9 3.
The broadcast giant has recently become for brand-new “vertical” packing of its sports titles; with new channels dedicated alone to individual plays such as football, cricket, golf and F1.
Not to triumph any Premier League privileges – which admittedly seems an unlikely sequel – would be a spanner in the works of that model.
Image copyright SkySports Image caption Sky has divided up its sports offering into separate dedicated paths
“Sky’s business model has been built upon it having the Premier League. And football has become more important for them this time around, ” says Mr Jellis.
“If they were to lose a box or two of their current five, it would not be ideal for them, but they could still find themselves with 100 sports a season. But if they lost all their cartons it would be a ended disaster.”
One entertaining point will be the approaching Disney takes. It has recently bought 21 st Century Fox -including Fox’s 39% owned of Sky. Prior to the close of the batch, it is anticipated that 21 st Century Fox will look to complete its planned acquisition of the 61% of Sky it doesn’t previously own.
BT a strong number two?
In contrast with Sky, play for BT is an add-on to its core telecoms and data services.
BT Sport is no longer free for broadband purchasers, and has to pay its own way. The firm has expended PS3. 8bn on football rights since 2012, but now says it is not in a situation where having Premier League TV privileges is “existential for us”.
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption BT Sport dazed football by acquiring Premier League live liberties back in 2012
The BT group’s desire is to retain its own position as a strong number two behind Sky in pay-TV athletics. It also has Premiership Rugby and Champions League football, so to lose the Premier League football would not be a complete sporting disaster.
“My guess is that the status quo and Sky and BT will retain their rights, ” says Mr Jellis. “If anything does happen it will be Amazon or Facebook winning one of the parcels of matches.
“Although there might be some terminated amaze, such as we had five years ago when BT originating from total secrecy to earn live tournaments for the first time.”
