The Premier League and Broadcasting Rights
About
According to reports, state-owned media enterprise Telekom Srbija offered €600 million to the Premier League for broadcasting rights — ten times the annual amount paid by the existing holder.
Purchasing these sports rights is part of the Serbian government’s efforts to destroy independent media. By showing the most popular sports on its own channels, the government can promote its own news to an increasingly large audience.
BFMI urged Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters to take considerations around media freedom considerations into account when allocating sports broadcasting rights.
Impact
The Premier League leadership failed to take action to promote media freedom in Serbia. In October 2023, BFMI revealed that Telekom Srbija broadcast incendiary messages praising Serbian paramilitary fighters involved in an attack against Kosovo Police in Banjska. This was showcased during football matches on Telekom Srbija's Arena Sport channel.
BFMI continues to monitor the situation and brief stakeholders, from both the political and sports arenas, on this issue.