Football fans will be able to watch the EPL on both SingTel and StarHub pay-TV platforms "for the first time over the next three seasons," according to Gregory Loo of THE NEW PAPER. Minister for Communications & Information Yaacob Ibrahim rejected SingTel's appeal against a Media Development Authority direction made last month to cross-carry "live" EPL matches for the next three seasons. But the a-la-carte EPL content, with nine channels, will cost $59.90 per month "for both SingTel mio TV and StarHub's pay TV customers." The price is significantly higher than SingTel's old $34.90-per-month sports bundle, "which came with EPL channels, Champions League and other sports content." The telco will be banking on their new gold packs, which will give subscribers around 80 channels with EPL content for $5 to $10 more than the standalone subscription, "to keep their customers happy." SingTel Digital Life CEO Allen Lew said, "When you go to a fast-food restaurant, if you buy one item like chicken or a burger, it's at one price but if you buy with a drink and fries etc, it's only marginally more" (THE NEW PAPER, 7/29).
