The UK’s Premier League soccer is to start producing and distributing its own content for the first time in two decades after ending its partnership with IMG.
The new Premier League in-house operation will launch in 2026, with more details coming in due course following today’s decision made at a Premier League shareholders meeting.
For the past 20 years, Premier League content production and distribution has been provided in partnership with IMG, operating as Premier League Productions (PLP). The two will continue to deliver the next two Premier League seasons to broadcasters and said they “remain committed to providing a first-class viewing experience for fans around the world.” At present, PLP said it delivers 6,000 hours of content per season to 55 international broadcast partners covering 189 global markets, along with long-form content such as magazine shows.
Premier League Chief Media Officer Paul Molnar said: “IMG has been a fantastic partner for the Premier League over the past 20 years. They have worked tirelessly on our behalf to provide world-class content and services to our international partners. During this time, our partnership has been at the forefront of broadcast innovation to deliver top-class programming week in, week out throughout the season. This has all come together to play a vital role in growing our global audiences and popularity.”
IMG EVP Studios Barney Francis called the pair’s work “game-changing.” ““We have built a state-of-the art virtual studio, produced award-winning digital content and introduced new cameras and feeds that have made the Premier League’s programming a gold standard for global sports broadcasting,” he added. “With IMG’s wider production work for rightsholders such as the EFL, MLS and Apple, the Saudi Pro League, EuroLeague and ETP, we are continuing to power live sports broadcasting, leveraging new technologies and reaching wider audiences as our business continues to grow internationally.”
Earlier this year, we revealed that Endeavor-owned IMG Media’s production arm was laying off around 5% of its staff as economic headwinds hit the world of sports production. IMG makes hours and hours of sports content each year across multiple disciplines.