Hey guys! (Apologies if a thread has already been started for this) As the title says, Optus now have the rights to broadcast the EPL here in Australia. What are the Aussie members plans on watching this seasons games? I've heard a few things about Foxtel having a dedicated Chelsea TV channel but the games won't be live? Can anyone confirm this? Any info you lads have will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Chelsea along with several other EPL clubs are going to have their own dedicated channels on Foxtel, but the matches won't be telecasted live sadly. Instead, a match replay will be shown the following day after the match has already been completed.

 

The current TV rights deal as it stands is that Optus has the rights to all EPL games, and SBS will be able to broadcast one live game a week but whether Optus controls which game that they can delegate to SBS I'm not entirely sure or whether SBS gets a choice in the matter. However, I wouldn't be relying on the idea that the best matches will be telecasted on SBS unfortunately.

 

I'm not planning on subscribing to Optus because their current packages and deals are a complete rip-off. I'm going to be relying on online streams that I can find throughout the season even if the quality isn't great or the commentary is in a foreign language for example.

 

Years of taking the coverage on Foxtel for granted has really sunk in for all of us in Australia who have had access to live EPL football every weekend during the season for the last 12 years.

 

Overall, it's very disappointing that Foxtel lost the rights! Here's hoping it's a massive failure by Optus and that Foxtel have the rights when the new broadcast rights deal is up for grabs.

Edited July 9, 20168 yr by Jezz

I'm in the Netherlands, where the broadcasting rights to the EPL seem to be bought by a different channel every 2 years., with prices increasing stealthily every year. I've tried streaming instead of subscribing to a channel fora while, but it takes me ages to find a decent stream where I don't have to submit personal details. Very annoying. I understand that tv rights cost money and you have to pay for it, but I get fewer matches for more money. New calculations every new season, gggrrrrr....

I'm in the Netherlands, where the broadcasting rights to the EPL seem to be bought by a different channel every 2 years., with prices increasing stealthily every year. I've tried streaming instead of subscribing to a channel fora while, but it takes me ages to find a decent stream where I don't have to submit personal details. Very annoying. I understand that tv rights cost money and you have to pay for it, but I get fewer matches for more money. New calculations every new season, gggrrrrr....

It's been the same scenario here in the Uk for a number of years Valerie. I haven't been able to afford the constantly rising subscription charges the providers charge here for more years than I care to remember.

I'm in the Netherlands, where the broadcasting rights to the EPL seem to be bought by a different channel every 2 years., with prices increasing stealthily every year. I've tried streaming instead of subscribing to a channel fora while, but it takes me ages to find a decent stream where I don't have to submit personal details. Very annoying. I understand that tv rights cost money and you have to pay for it, but I get fewer matches for more money. New calculations every new season, gggrrrrr....

Knowing myself and the ongoing frustration of looking for streams every week, I will probably cave in and subscribe to Optus reluctantly at some point of the season.

 

Although, with an exclusive Chelsea FC channel being introduced it might be better just to watch the matches on delayed telecast and then review the game after that.

 

It's a big change because Australian audiences have had the luxury of live EPL football for more than a decade and it will affect businesses (such as pubs) that broadcast the games for fan groups here.

Edited July 10, 20168 yr by Jezz

Chelsea along with several other EPL clubs are going to have their own dedicated channels on Foxtel, but the matches won't be telecasted live sadly. Instead, a match replay will be shown the following day after the match has already been completed.

 

The current TV rights deal as it stands is that Optus has the rights to all EPL games, and SBS will be able to broadcast one live game a week but whether Optus controls which game that they can delegate to SBS I'm not entirely sure or whether SBS gets a choice in the matter. However, I wouldn't be relying on the idea that the best matches will be telecasted on SBS unfortunately.

 

I'm not planning on subscribing to Optus because their current packages and deals are a complete rip-off. I'm going to be relying on online streams that I can find throughout the season even if the quality isn't great or the commentary is in a foreign language for example.

 

Years of taking the coverage on Foxtel for granted has really sunk in for all of us in Australia who have had access to live EPL football every weekend during the season for the last 12 years.

 

Overall, it's very disappointing that Foxtel lost the rights! Here's hoping it's a massive failure by Optus and that Foxtel have the rights when the new broadcast rights deal is up for grabs.

 

Oh boy, I didn't know our matches wouldn't be broadcasted live. I guess I'm gonna have to opt for online streams too, luckily I recently got a new computer so it should be watchable. I do love the new Chelsea channel otherwise though, I spent all of last night watching our Barcelona semi-final games from 2012. Amazing memories!

I refuse to be swindled by Optus so i'll also alternate between watching online streams, and heading into the city to watch the bigger games with the local supporters club in the pub.

Knowing myself and the ongoing frustration of looking for streams every week, I will probably cave in and subscribe to Optus reluctantly at some point of the season.

 

Although, with an exclusive Chelsea FC channel being introduced it might be better just to watch the matches on delayed telecast and then review the game after that.

 

It's a big change because Australian audiences have had the luxury of live EPL football for more than a decade and it will affect businesses (such as pubs) that broadcast the games for fan groups here.

 

Yep. It sucks big time. We have been spoilt for so long and it's devastating that they've taken it away from us.

 

Optus is out of the question for me as I live in the country and their service is crap(25km blackspot on my drive to work). So I'll be watching a delay on Chelsea TV which I must say is amazing to finally have.

Thanks guys, appreciate all the feedback and response .  I guess I'll be streaming too then, I feel waiting for the delayed coverage will be too risky with how quickly live games are broadcasted and plastered all over social media these days. Can anyone recommend a decent streaming website? Or is it case of finding one on match day/night?

 

Thanks again lads.

I can't help you with recommending any good streaming websites, as I'm unfamiliar with them and I suspect you will need to register and subscribe to the best ones online.

Bad for football in Australia in my view. I have Optus mobile and was offered the PL for free this season. So I'll give it a go.

Now that said Foxtel added Chelsea TV to their lineup but didn't show the game last night? I was most peeved. Couldn't find it on any other channel either do no idea why it wasn't being shown.

Bad for football in Australia in my view. I have Optus mobile and was offered the PL for free this season. So I'll give it a go.

Now that said Foxtel added Chelsea TV to their lineup but didn't show the game last night? I was most peeved. Couldn't find it on any other channel either do no idea why it wasn't being shown.

 

I was surprised with that too. I understand they can't show the PL games live, but I really just assumed the pre-season games would be broadcast live. The worse thing, there doesn't seem to be any indication of the game being on the channel for a week, which doesn't make sense.

 

I took Foxtel's football coverage for granted.

#OptusOut is trending on Twitter. A lot of criticism directed at Optus for it's inept coverage so far and with the benefit of hindsight, I'm glad I didn't subscribe.

 

Online streams for live coverage and a replay of Chelsea matches telecasted on Chelsea TV on Foxtel is the way to go this season for Australian viewers if you're not planning on subscribing to Optus.

My biggest issues with paying for a tv subscribtion, is that i really only wabt to watch chelsea games, i would be happy to pay 30 odd quid a month, if it meant watching every chelsea game in hd.

You should be able to subscibe to tour team only, and pay an extra couple if quid on a pay per view basis for other games.

Ive been steaming the football for a long time now, since live footy doctor if anyone remembers that? Streaming is becoming easier and easier, and the quality of the streams is improving all the time, my only worry is that they manage to shut it all down in the future.

Streaming is becoming easier and easier, and the quality of the streams is improving all the time, my only worry is that they manage to shut it all down in the future.

Definitely become easier, but I think it would be difficult to enforce banning or shutting down online streams when then there will always be a market and demand for them to some extent.

I am in Perth and use Rojadirecta. Do not use the ones top of the list,for English commentary = en ,but generally i use Rivo (Spainish = es) as less buffering

 

Hope to wipe the smug smile off the face of that mob in the East, that are kindly sponsored by UK tax payers 

Edited August 15, 20168 yr by Coral Snake

I'm using the Optus coverage. A friend from work is with them and i said I'd buy him lunch if he signed up and let me use it.

The service itself is generally good with plenty of shows, highlights and matches on demand. But I've had to reload the page a number of times when the stream went black.

I heard they're trying to get the A-League rights too.  Basically they want to ruin football for all Australians, just when the sport was gaining a lot of momentum here.  They don't care about the sport at all.  I for one will just rely on streams rather than succumbing to Optus.

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I am in Perth and use Rojadirecta. Do not use the ones top of the list,for English commentary = en ,but generally i use Rivo (Spainish = es) as less buffering

 

Hope to wipe the smug smile off the face of that mob in the East, that are kindly sponsored by UK tax payers 

Roja is good but I keep with http://firstrowsportes.tv/ here on Malta

The quality really sucks, but the interface is pretty cool and the bells and whistles like highlights package, news and other stuff is great. Hate watchingon my computer so looking forward to get my mini fetch.

Found a decent online stream this morning, Optus can go f**k themselves.