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U-Next, the Japanese streaming service, has secured rights to English soccer’s Premier League and FA Cup knockout competition for the next seven seasons.
The OTT platform will replace outgoing Premier League rightsholder SPOTV, the pan-regional sports channel of South Korean broadcaster Eclat Media Group, after it opted to terminate its agreement a year early.
Eclat held rights in Japan under a three-year deal for the 2022-25 cycle and was due to head into the final season of its contract.
As a result, U-Next’s exclusive seven-year deal to show the English top-flight will begin with the 2024-25 season and run through 2030-31.
U-Next will exclusively live-stream all 380 matches from the upcoming Premier League campaign, which starts on August 16, as well as FA Cup action.
FA Cup rights were previously held in Japan by global OTT platform DAZN.
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By GlobalDataThe Premier League features several Japanese players, including national team captain Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), and Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton).
Users must purchase the U-Next Soccer Pack to watch live matches, which will launch on August 9, for ¥2,600 ($17) per month. It will be available as part of a bundle or as a standalone option.
As well as Premier League action, the subscription will feature live content from Spain’s LaLiga.
The streaming service will complement its live coverage with archive footage from both leagues and magazine shows.
U-Next has additionally announced it will expand its soccer content by providing it to commercial establishments such as hotels and bars.
Paul Molnar, Premier League chief media officer, has 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.”