NBC Universal takes EPL rights from Fox

NBC Universal has acquired the exclusive US media rights to the English Premier League.

Under the three-year deal, NBCU will become the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 Premier League matches across all platforms and devices in the US from the 2013-2014 season.

NBCU outbid current rights-holder Fox and is thought to have paid in the region of US$85 million per season for the rights, which is three times more than Fox’s deal was worth.

“The Barclays Premier League is the preeminent soccer league in the world, and is on the cusp of exponential popularity growth here in the US,” said Mark Lazarus, chairman, NBC Sports Group. “NBCU will provide the broadest programming and promotional commitment that the league has ever experienced here in the United States. The Premier League provides NBCU with best-in-class content for 10 months of the year across our far-reaching broadcast, cable and digital platforms. This is a perfect match.”