NBC Sports Group inked a six-year extension to retain its rights to English Premier League coverage on Monday.
All 380 matches will be available on multiple platforms - NBCUniversal’s NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, TELEMUNDO and NBC UNIVERSO linear channels, as well as the Premier League Extra Time TV package and live stream on NBC Sports Live Extra - through 2021-22.
The deal - which will go into effect in 2016-17 - comes on the heels of two successful years in which an average record of 479,000 viewers tuned in to NBC and NBCSN last season - up 41,000 viewers from the 2013-14 campaign, according to a press release.
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“We are excited to continue our tremendous partnership with the Premier League, and we look forward to presenting the world’s finest soccer league to Americans for many years to come,” NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus said in a statement. “As sports fans, there’s nothing better than waking up on a weekend morning to live and relevant events, and we at NBC Sports are thrilled to continue to be this outlet for the fast-growing Premier League fan base.”
Fox and beIN Sports were the other suitors linked to striking a bargain with the Premier League, but NBC - currently in the final season of a three-year, $250 million deal - pounced on the prize. The financial details of the contract extension have not yet been disclosed.
“NBC Sports has done a fantastic job broadcasting the Barclays Premier League for the last two seasons and we are extremely pleased that they have invested in our US rights for seasons 2016-17 to 2021-22,” said Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore. “Outstanding production, expert analysis, and wide audience reach have all been beyond expectations.”