Premier League clubs vote to create their own media operation

In late November 2024, the Premier League announced a significant shift in its media strategy by establishing its own in-house media operations business ahead of the 2026-27 season. This decision comes after a 20-year partnership with IMG and was unanimously voted on by all 20 Premier League clubs. The move aims to increase revenue by allowing the league to own, produce, and distribute its media content directly to international markets. With this initiative, the Premier League is exploring the creation of a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, akin to the NFL Game Pass and NBA League Pass. This potential platform, referred to as 'Premflix,' could significantly enhance broadcast revenues and transform the way fans engage with Premier League matches. To successfully implement this change, the Premier League is gearing up for a substantial investment that will likely run into the millions. The league plans to build its own infrastructure, including TV studios, to replicate IMG’s capabilities, which produced about 6,000 hours of content for international broadcasters each season. The Premier League recognizes the challenges of building this operation from scratch but is confident in its ability to recruit the necessary talent and expertise, building upon its established relationships within the industry. The timing allows them to carefully plan and execute this transition, aiming to maintain a competitive edge in sports broadcasting. In the coming two years, there will be a significant focus on recruitment and the development of technology and facilities to ensure smooth operations and high-quality content production. While the move could lead to many changes in how fans consume Premier League content, the league has not specified how current viewing experiences will shift as a result. The decision to end the partnership with IMG reflects a broader trend in sports where leagues aim to gain more control over their media narratives and revenue streams, signaling a new era for sports broadcasting and fan engagement.