February 25 – The English Premier League has severed its four-year deal with Fox Sports México following the broadcaster’s failure to make payments for this season.
Tubi, the free ad-supported streaming platform, has stepped in to cover Fox’s share of live games for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
Initially, the Premier League had divvied up its Mexican broadcast rights between Fox Sports México and Warner Bros Discovery’s Max, with both contracts valued at £50 million (US$63.2 million) annually.
Fox held the rights to broadcast 100 games per season, with Max covering the remainder. However, the deal hit a snag when Fox Sports México, owned by Grupo Lauman and under the leadership of Mexican billionaire Manuel Arroyo, failed to meet its financial obligations.
The ramifications of this failure go beyond the Premier League. The broadcaster’s relationship with other major sports leagues, including the NFL and Concacaf, has also soured, leaving Fox Sports México with a dwindling portfolio that now primarily revolves around Major League Baseball (MLB) and Formula 1.
With Fox’s Premier League contract now officially terminated, Tubi has wasted no time stepping in, picking up Fox’s package and continuing to broadcast games from the Premier League. Tubi’s coverage will kick off on match week 27, starting on Tuesday night.
The Premier League’s global TV rights are regarded as some of the most lucrative in world sport, with overseas broadcasting contracts expected to bring in £6.5 billion between 2025 and 2028. This marks a 23% increase from the previous cycle, underlining the importance of these rights as a significant revenue stream for Premier League clubs.
The move marks a significant change for Tubi, a platform best known for its ad-supported streaming model, which is increasingly positioning itself as a key player in live sports. It also highlights a broader shift in sports broadcasting in Latin America, where traditional pay-TV models are being upstaged by newer, more flexible streaming options. As the Premier League continues to shift its global broadcasting strategy, Tubi’s involvement could signal an exciting new chapter in how football is consumed across Latin America.
The question now is whether this fast-moving digital platform will find success in a market traditionally dominated by pay-TV giants. With the Premier League’s growing global revenue and the increasing shift to streaming, Tubi may just be well-positioned to capitalise on the changing landscape of sports broadcasting. Only time will tell if this is the beginning of a new era for the Mexican market.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1740503684labto1740503684ofdlr1740503684owedi1740503684sni@g1740503684niwe.1740503684yrrah1740503684