Amazon primed for Premier League rights bid

A bidding war could break out for the English Premier League media rights after it was reported Amazon may launch a bid to show live matches.

Daily Mail writer Charles Sale reports this morning that there is “widespread speculation” that the Seattle-based tech giant is primed to compete for the three-year packages from the 2019-2020 season.

Amazon recently moved into live sports after beating Sky Sports to the ATP tennis deal and Sale says it is seen as the “most likely of the digital media giants to bid for PL content” ahead of tech rivals Facebook, Google, Twitter and Netflix.

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With one of the world’s richest men at the helm, Jeff Bezos, Amazon has the finances in place if it were to bid for the Premier League rights against current holders Sky and BT Sport.

According to The Sun, the auction for the Premier League rights will take place later this year.

Meanwhile, Amazon and Netflix have approached Premier League clubs to produce unique football content such as behind-the-scenes documentaries.

The Daily Mirror says Netflix and Amazon are “desperate” to add the Premier League to their portfolios and have contacted Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea about producing new shows.