Optus Sport will be the first local broadcaster to resume live broadcasting of a major football code this week after securing the Australian rights to South Korea’s K League for 2020.
The K League is the top division of football in South Korea and becomes the second major Asian football acquisition for Optus Sport, after the J.League was secured in February this year.
The start of the K League season kicks off this Friday night in prime time when Suwon Bluewings take on Jeonbuk.
“I know I’m not the only one who’s been staring longingly out the window waiting for live sport to return, so to bring the K League to viewers in such a friendly time zone from this weekend is something we’re really excited about,” Optus director of sport Richard Bayliss says.
“In light of COVID-19, we have faith in South Korea’s capability to start the K League while respecting societal requirements to keep players and the wider community safe.”
Optus Sport will be airing two matches live and on demand every round from the K League 1 division.
The acquisition comes following the suspension of live sport around the world due to COVID-19 restrictions which lead to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics being postponed and locally an ongoing public feud between Nine and the NRL.
During the suspension of live sport, Optus Sport replaying classic matches,hosting live trivia, and magazine.
From the start of March to April 30, 2020, the Optus Sport active base has retracted 0.5% to 820,000 activated subscriptions.
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