Now TV "appears to have struck the latest blow in the battle" over paid-TV football broadcasts with the announcement that it will broadcast Euro 2016, according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. There was speculation LeEco, which was reported to have spent a "staggering" $600M to grab the English Premier League from Now TV for the next three seasons, would also broadcast the month-long football "extravaganza which begins in June." Now TV said on Wednesday that "its subscribers could watch all 51 matches live of the tournament." A one-off Euro and Copa America event pass, costing HK$700 ($90), "will allow viewers to watch both events." However, it is "believed other television channels may also broadcast the tournament as Now TV does not have exclusive rights from the service provider." A TVB source said, "We are also discussing with the service provider to see if the Euro 2016 can be watched through our channels. Not only TVB, other companies can also broadcast the tournament provided they pay the right price to the service provider" (SCMP, 4/27).
