SingTel ‘Gravely Disappointed’ Over MDA Premier League Decision

SINGAPORE: SingTel, which operates the mioTV IPTV platform, is expected to appeal a ruling by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) mandating that it make its coverage of Barclays Premier League (BPL) football available to rival service StarHub.

The Singaporean regulator ruled today that SingTel’s non-exclusive deal for BPL live matches for three seasons beginning this August triggers the "Cross-Carriage Measure," which took effect in August 2011. Under the cross-carriage ruling, pay-TV platforms that acquired any exclusive content on or after March 12, 2010, must make that programming available through the set-top boxes of other platforms. The MDA says it came to its ruling after a "a thorough examination" of the agreement between SingTel and the Football Association Premier League (FAPL). "MDA concluded that the agreement contained certain clauses which prevent or restrict or are likely to prevent or restrict the same content from being acquired or otherwise obtained for transmission on selected platforms in Singapore by other pay-TV retailers."

The MDA made a similar ruling for UEFA Euro 2012, which StarHub had acquired; all 64 matches were cross carried on mioTV.

In a statement, Allen Lew, the CEO of the digital life group at SingTel, said, “We are gravely disappointed with MDA’s decision requiring SingNet to cross carry BPL content as it disadvantages both the consumers and the industry. We fully intend to appeal this decision and seek legal recourse if necessary. We assure football fans that we will fight hard so they can continue to enjoy the content that they love at reasonable prices.”

Jeannie Ong, the head of corporate communications and investor relations at StarHub, said the cable platform welcomed the MDA decision. "Singapore viewers are the biggest beneficiaries of this decision and we are excited to be able to bring the BPL to our customers on our reliable network once again."

StarHub was the home of English Premier League action until 2010, when the games moved to mioTV. Last month, StarHub said that it was finally able to begin negotiations with the FAPL to clinch its own deal for the matches for the next three seasons. According to reports, the SingTel agreement allegedly included an "exclusive negotiation period," locking out other platforms after its deal was sealed in October 2012.