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Vivienne Chow

Chan Kin-wa


Mystery over just how Hong Kong fans will be able to catch English Premier League soccer action next season deepened yesterday, as the company that bought the rights denied claims from the current broadcaster that it had struck a deal to carry on showing matches.
As mainland internet giant LeTV officially confirmed it had won rights to show the world's most famous soccer league for three years from next season, Now TV claimed it would continue showing the games.
But Mok Chui-tin, LeTV's chief executive for Asia-Pacific, said: "We have not reached any agreement with any third party for a concrete plan."
Then, a day later, the two sides said they had agreed a deal - though no details were put forward
READ MORE: Could LeTV deal be good news for fans? 
The confusion leaves soccer fans wondering how exactly they will watch their favourite teams next year, after a deal worth a reported US$400 million left rights to show the English league in the hands of an internet-only firm for the first time anywhere.
A flashy 2 1/2-hour media launch yesterday offered an appearance from ex-player Peter Schmeichel but no details of subscription plans. Mok said matches would be available to all internet users - but hinted those who bought LeTV's televisions and smartphones would watch first.
"The audience can watch the games on our TV, our mobile phones and in future, they will be available to all internet users via our smartphone apps," he said.
Meanwhile a group of shareholders in PCCW, Now TV's parent company, demanded that chairman Richard Li Tzar-kai deliver on the promise to show the games and reveal how much it was paying LeTV.
Mok said the company was still working on "flexible" subscription plans that could allow fans to pay to watch their favourite team's games or even on a per-game basis.
Asked about the choice of rights holder, Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore said: "We never look at our rights from a technology spectrum."
Neither Mok nor Scudamore would discuss the cost of the deal.
Yesterday's launch marked the start of LeTV's ambitious pitch for a share of Hong Kong's crowded television market. Mok said the company had already filmed a HK$20 million drama series for the city.
"We don't want to just do a Hong Kong version of LeTV," he said. "We want to make LeTV Hong Kong and meet the needs of Hong Kong audiences."
But the launch did not go without a hitch. Some 700 local and mainland journalists attended, and were each handed a soccer shirt to wear - though most Hong Kong reporters refused.
Meanwhile, Schmeichel was asked to show off his goalkeeping skills, but organisers only gave him a plastic ball to play with.


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LeTV leaves Hong Kong fans confused over how to watch English Premier League games next season 

Hong Kong has the most mature market in the region for paid entertainment and is backed by a mature legal framework, says Mok Chui-tin (right), LeTV’s chief executive for Asia-Pacific. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Hong Kong has the most mature market in the region for paid entertainment and is backed by a mature legal framework, says Mok Chui-tin, LeTV’s chief executive for Asia-Pacific. Photo: May Tse

Back of the net? Mainland Chinese internet giant and PCCW strike deal to show English Premier League soccer

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel of Denmark shows he's still got a few tricks up his sleeve at a Le Sports media conference on Tuesday. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Schmeichel takes a few shots as the news of Letv gaining the broadcast rights of English Premier League matches goes public. Photo: Letv

Retired Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel reprises his role at a Le Sports media conference yesterday announcing Letv’s broadcast rights of English Premier League matches. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Letv Sports announces their broadcast rights of English Premier League.

Could LeTV's capture of English Premier League rights actually be good news for Hong Kong fans? 

A promotional image on LeTV's Facebook page is not exactly subtle

A lion ... could this be a clue of some sort? 

Tin Mok Chui-tin CEO, APAC of LeTV, who will speak to media on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP

Gareth Bale helps Now TV promote their HD coverage back in 2007 - since then the rights went to Cable TV then back to PCCW's Now. Photo: SCMP

Fans of Manchester United or Liverpool may be able to buy season passes just for their own teams under the new deal - in theory. Photo: AFP

LeTV to pay US$400 million for English Premier League rights in Hong Kong, report says

Didier Drogba celebrates Chelsea's title last season, which Hong Kong fans watched on Now TV. Photo: EPA

Mainland Chinese TV station LeTV ‘has major plan for Hong Kong viewers’ amid reports of US$400m English Premier League deal

Mok Chui-tin said LeTV would give Hong Kong viewers a totally new experience. Photo: May Tse

English Premier League football is a big draw for viewers. Photo: Reuters

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Sport

Football

Flashy launch from mainland media portal offers plenty of style but little substance


Mainland Chinese web entertainment portal LeTV could be the world’s first internet company to win exclusive broadcasting rights to the English Premier League.


LeTV leaves Hong Kong fans confused over how to watch English Premier League games next season

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Flashy launch from mainland media portal offers plenty of style but little substance

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}READ MORE: Could LeTV deal be good news for fans?

Flashy launch from mainland media portal offers plenty of style but little substance

READ MORE: Could LeTV deal be good news for fans?