Optus is "pursuing broadcast rights for the A-League and a number of Socceroos matches" to "bolster its football offering as it faces criticism" for limiting its EPL coverage to its own customers, according to Max Mason of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Optus CEO Allen Lew said that the telecom "is running its ruler over Football Federation Australia's broadcast rights." He said, "We're looking at it seriously. If it makes sense and it adds value to what we are providing football fans, at a commercial deal that we feel is fair, then we will see how we can bring it across. But, it's early days and let's see what happens." Optus is creating a 24-7 dedicated football channel that will be available on Yes TV by Fetch -- "signing the A-League and Socceroos matches would provide more valuable content for that offering." Lew: "Having got EPL we will build a content suite around people who are football fans." Optus "faced criticism over its planned coverage for the EPL," which it secured as part of a A$189M ($138M) deal. The service will "only be available to Optus customers" and Lew was adamant that the telecom "would not revisit that strategy." He said, "One principle that we will always stick to is that you have to be an Optus customers to get it because it's something that is a key differentiator for us." However, the fight for A-League broadcast rights "is unlikely to be a walkover" for Optus. It is understood that the Ten Network "is keen on a Saturday night A-League game" and CEO Paul Anderson has "publicly declared his interest in the competition" (SMH, 5/16). The AAP reported the A-League rights are on the market over the coming months as FFA looks for an "improved deal to the current four-year tie-up with Fox Sports and SBS," which ends in '17. FFA "has been unhappy with the poor coverage from SBS, which shunted the league to its secondary channel." Earlier this month, FFA Chair Steven Lowy said that a "key plank of any new deal would need to be an improved free-to-air component," calling the current arrangement "unacceptable" (AAP, 5/15).
