Australia's Optus, Tabcorp Sign Deal To Show Premier League, 2018 World Cup

Australian telecom Optus and Australian gaming operator Tabcorp signed a deal to broadcast the Premier League and 2018 World Cup "across the wagering company's Sky Racing venues," according to Max Mason of the AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW. The two-year deal will see Optus "address one of the major weaknesses in its Optus Sport offering," the access to the "lucrative pubs and clubs market." The agreement with Tabcorp will open up 4,500 venues across Australia to Optus Sport and the telecom "could potentially use the distribution network to help it leverage any future sports rights deals it strikes as it looks to expand its content offering." The new deal with Tabcorp will see Optus Sport 1, the telecom's 24-hour EPL channel, "put onto Sky Racing set-top boxes." It will also include an option to watch a second live game when multiple games are being played. Sky Racing channels will remain unchanged (AFR, 8/21).