How StarTimes won the Ghana Premier League rights

Kweku Zurek Sports News Jan - 10 - 2020 , 15:22

Chinese pay-television provider StarTimes has shed light on the details of the bid which won it the rights of the Ghana Premier League and the MTN FA Cup.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Mrs Akorfa Banson, the Head of Marketing of StarTimes said in addition to the five-year deal worth $5.25million, it will invest an additional $1,000,000 on production and $500,000 on promotion.

She said StarTimes has invested heavily in the latest sports broadcast solutions and software which will bring the image of the Ghana Premier League to international standards.

She stated that 38 live games will be produced for the remaining first half of the season in a bid to give all the clubs equal TV exposure.

The coverage will start with the live telecast match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Ebusua Dwarfs.

"StarTimes will provide the biggest and most advanced television production by far with at least 8 cameras for live matches. This will ensure a top-quality viewing experience for fans around the world with multiple cameras delivering all the action and emotion of the games," Mrs Banson said.

"StarTimes will invest an additional $1,000,000 on production and $500,000 on promotion of the properties. StarTimes, GFA and PLB shall jointly plan the TV schedule to enable StarTimes produce a minimum of three (3) live matches per match day. Starting with match day, 38 live games will be produced for the remaining first half of the season and we intend to give all clubs equal TV exposure".

Free-to-Air (FTA) access

Addressing concerns that some football fans who cannot afford the StarTimes pay television service will be denied access to watching games, Mrs Banson assured that her outfit shall make one live game available to FTA each match day.

"StarTimes shall make one live game available to FTA each match day. Highlights shall be non-exclusive to StarTimes and shall be made available to the media to improve the exposure of the league," she stressed.