Malaysian pay-TV broadcaster Astro has retained rights to English men’s soccer’s top-tier Premier League (EPL) for the next three seasons.
Starting at the onset of 2025-26, this latest deal between the two parties runs through 2027-28, while Astro will also continue to show the iconic FA Cup knockout competition for the same period. Both of these tie-ups have been unveiled today.
All 380 EPL games each season, as well as the entirety of the FA Cup, will continue to be broadcast in HD by Astro, with select games covered in 4K UHD.
The current three-season deal through which Astro shows the EPL was unveiled in April 2022, and has an estimated annual value of (at that time) $48 million.
In addition to the live coverage element, Astro will also provide original and localized content, such as magazine programs and exclusive interviews, while the broadcaster will also continue to provide its customers with access to EPL viewing parties and other prizes. All Astro customers will be able to watch EPL action through the Astro One Sports Pack service.
This is the second major southeast Asian tie-up for the EPL to be unveiled in the last month - mid-November saw telecoms operator Jasmine International announce a deal for the 2025-28 cycle across Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, with a value of $78 million per year.
Another element of Astro’s tie-up with these English soccer properties will entail Astro working “with law enforcement agencies to protect intellectual property and deter piracy.” Both parties have described the curbing of illegal sports streaming and digital piracy as “essential” in order for the EPL to continue to be shown on Astro.
Over recent years, the piracy of sports content across southeast Asia has been raised as a serious issue by many top-tier properties.
Euan Smith, Astro’s group chief executive, has said: “This renewal demonstrates our commitment to continue delivering the very best of sports to Malaysians.
“We look forward to bringing fans closer to the action through our extensive coverage.”
Other top-tier live sport available on Astro includes motor racing’s top-tier Formula 1, basketball’s NBA, as well as the local Liga Malaysia.
Paul Molnar, the Premier League’s chief media officer, added: “This renewal reflects our shared commitment to providing world-class football entertainment to supporters across Malaysia.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Astro to deliver the best possible experience for Premier League fans in the region.”
In terms of the EPL’s overseas broadcasting, late November saw the major news that the heavyweight IMG agency will lose its production rights to international coverage of the league from the end of 2025-26.
The 20-team EPL will be setting up its own media operations business to come into effect at the start of the 2026-27 season, thus taking the production and distribution of all content for overseas audiences in-house.
Domestically, the league will be covered through 2028-29 by Sky and TNT Sports, with those deals announced last December.
