PCCW (SEHK:0008) HONG KONG, November 13, 2012 – now TV, Hong Kong’s largest quad-play pay-TV provider, today announces that it is entering into an exclusive negotiating window, under a standstill agreement, to finalize exclusive multi-screen rights to broadcast in Hong Kong the Barclays Premier League (BPL) for three seasons commencing from the 2013/14 season.
Further to the standstill agreement, now TV expects to conclude the final agreement at the earliest possible opportunity, which would allow it to broadcast the BPL games covering a total of 380 matches on now TV in both HD and SD formats, VOD as well as on other platforms of PCCW’s unique quadruple-play service including Internet, eye and PCCW mobile.
now TV would also enable its customers to enjoy BPL matches on-the-go via multiple devices with its now Player app.
Ms. Janice Lee, PCCW’s Managing Director of TV and New Media, said, “We welcome the return of BPL to now TV. BPL is one of the most prestigious football leagues in the world and to successfully regain the rights is a demonstration of our commitment to bringing top-class sports content to our customers with superior viewing quality. We took a disciplined approach in submitting our bid, and we are confident that the addition of BPL will bring a positive effect to our customer growth and operational results.”
Apart from BPL, now TV offers customers an exciting lineup of other popular football events including La Liga, English FA Cup and J League. In addition, now TV also answers the needs of sports fans with NBA, Australian Open, French Open, US Open, Wimbledon Championships, ATP World Tour, Formula 1, PGA Tour, BWF Super Series, World Snooker Tour, and The Masters.
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About now TV
now TV is one of the world’s largest commercial deployments of IPTV and Hong Kong’s largest pay-TV provider. It is delivered by PCCW Media, the multimedia and entertainment subsidiary of PCCW Limited. PCCW also holds interests in telecommunications, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
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now TV serves Hong Kong with more than 180 channels of local, Asian and international programming, including premium content such as Spanish La Liga, English FA Cup, NBA, French Open, US Open, ATP World Tour, BWF Super Series, World Snooker Tour, F1 and PGA Tour. In addition, now TV is both a leading producer of news, sports and infotainment programming and a provider of a wide range of interactive services. now TV can be enjoyed on the eye devices provided by HKT, the telecommunications business of PCCW. Select now TV content and interactive applications can also be accessed via HKT’s 3G mobile network and broadband service. To learn more about now TV, please visit www.now.com.
About PCCW Limited
PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
The Company holds a majority interest in HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider. HKT meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.
PCCW also owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong, which includes a highly successful IPTV operation, now TV. As the provider of Hong Kong’s first quadruple-play experience, PCCW offers a range of innovative media content and services across four delivery platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile.
Also wholly-owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong and mainland China.
In addition, PCCW holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited. To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.
For further information, please contact:
Ivan Ho
PCCW Group
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com