NBC Sports has renewed its contract with the English Premier League for $2.7 billion. The renewal leaves NBC as the lead U.S. broadcaster of the soccer matches through 2028.
Reports indicate the network doubled the value of its existing contract in an effort to remove would-be suitors ESPN, CBS, and Warner. NBC Sports has held its position with the league since 2013. The games attracted an average of more than 600,000 viewers this season, according to SBC News.
The renewal means NBC Sports will show all 380 Premier League matches per season, while also simulcasting games in Spanish.
The Premier League expects to also renew its broadcast contracts with Sky and BT Sports uncontested. The concession settled Covid-19 disputes when the U.K. permitted re-scheduled matches to be shown on terrestrial TV during the lockdown.
“Interest in the Premier League is going from strength to strength, and it is great to see the growing global demand to watch our matches and engage with the league,” said the league’s chief executive, Richard Masters. “We are proud to provide more investment into our football pyramid than any other football league in the world.”
