Japanese streaming service, U-Next, has successfully secured the rights to English soccer’s Premier League and FA Cup matches for the next seven seasons. This move marks a significant shift in the sports broadcasting landscape in Japan.
U-Next will replace outgoing Premier League rightsholder SPOTV, a pan-regional sports channel of South Korean broadcaster Eclat Media Group. Eclat had held rights in Japan under a three-year deal for the 2022-25 cycle but chose to terminate its agreement a year early. As such, U-Next's exclusive seven-year deal to broadcast English top-flight soccer will commence with the 2024-25 season and run through until 2030-31.
Paul Molnar, Premier League chief media officer, said:
“U-Next is a leading entertainment content platform in the Japanese market, and we are excited that the exclusive Premier League distribution rights will be at the heart of U-Next’s live sports distribution.
“With a fresh and innovative approach, we are confident that U-Next will be a great home for the Premier League. We look forward to working together to promote the appeal of the league, the clubs, and the growing number of Japanese players.”
Exclusive live streaming of matches
The OTT platform is set to exclusively live-stream all 380 Premier League matches from the campaign starting on August 16th. In addition, it will also cover FA Cup action which was previously held by global OTT platform DAZN in Japan.
The Japanese audience can look forward to watching several Japanese players featuring in the Premier League including national team captain Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), and Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton). To access these live matches, users must purchase the U-Next Soccer Pack which launches on August 9th at ¥2,600 ($17) per month. The pack can be availed either as part of a bundle or as a standalone option.
In addition to offering action from England's top-tier league and cup competition, this subscription will also feature live content from Spain’s LaLiga - providing subscribers with a comprehensive soccer viewing experience.
Additional features and expansion plans
U-Next plans to enhance its live coverage by offering archive footage from both the Premier League and LaLiga matches, along with magazine shows. This will provide subscribers with an enriched viewing experience, allowing them to delve into past matches and enjoy additional content related to their favorite teams and players.
Moreover, U-Next has announced plans to expand its soccer content by making it available in commercial establishments such as hotels and bars. This move is expected to increase the reach of English soccer in Japan, providing fans with more opportunities to watch their favorite teams in action.
U-Next's acquisition of Premier League and FA Cup rights marks a significant development for sports broadcasting in Japan. It promises an exciting era for Japanese football fans who can now enjoy extensive coverage of English football right at their fingertips.
