Kieran Maguire: Liverpool to reap rewards of ‘huge’ TV shake-up as two new deals signed
New broadcasters could soon shake up the domestic TV market and provide a welcome boost for the likes of Liverpool.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest news broadcasting news from Premier League HQ.
As relayed by Sport Business last Wednesday (11 May), the top flight has signed a new three-year extension with IMG, who operate the in-house broadcasting platform Premier League Productions.
IMG have also agreed to produce the Bangkok-based pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Man United in July, per the same outlet last Monday (9 May).
Maguire claims that, while Liverpool would ideally sell their own broadcast rights, IMG’s interest in the Premier League can only be a good thing for the TV deal.
“Liverpool in the long run want to sell matches direct to their own fanbase,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But IMG are very well-connected and can help the Premier League. Remember, at the moment, it is just over half of the Premier League matches that are shown on Sky, BT and Amazon.
“So there is scope for another 180 matches to be sold, and we have seen potential new entrants to the market. The Scandinavians are interested, for example.
“BT is reducing its interest in BT Sport by 50 per cent as well. So there is huge potential for further change there.
“Premier League rights are the golden goose of broadcasting because it is the one thing that keeps people from cutting the cable.”
Liverpool earned £266.1million in media income in 2020-21.
Jurgen Klopp’s side trail league leaders Man City by one point ahead of the final day on Sunday (22 May).
In other news, ex-manager suggests Liverpool stars could kick off “behind closed doors” after Jurgen Klopp confession.