Apparently the EPL wasn't aware of the move... but I think USA/Peacock is an upgrade for them over NBCSN in terms of available eyeballs so they shouldn't be too upset, though if the article below is to be believed, the EPL isn't thrilled with Peacock's reach:
https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/01/23/premier-league-blindsided-by-nbcsns-announcement-to-shut-channel-says-source/
Where EPL goes in 2022, when the deal is up, is gonna be fascinating. Here's a take on the contenders:
1. DISNEY (ESPN/ESPN+) -- Having gone nearly all-in on direct-to-consumer, it certainly seems like they see the end of the linear network in the seeable future and need to really pump up the content for ESPN+. Certainly have deep enough pockets, even if Disney is loathe to reach all the way into them.
2. VIACOM (PARAMOUNT/PARAMOUNT+) -- Viacom has been talking up sports as an essential component of their upcoming DTC platform, even though there's not much there at the moment. CBS Sports can kick in NCAA sports (although not so much football), as well as golf and some NASCAR. They picked up UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues, which obviously would complement EPL well. Could certainly use Paramount Channel as a linear complement to Paramount+, though there's no sports audience there and it's several notches below USA or ESPN -- a Turner or Discovery partnership might make more sense. I'd guess Viacom could find enough money for this, though they're not as well-heeled as most of the other competitors here.
3. COMCAST (USA/PEACOCK) -- Seems like it should be a good complementary pairing of linear and DTC platforms. The Comcast side of the business wants to ensure some meaningful live sports content remains on old-school linear cable. NBCU-owned Sky is a meaningful international broadcaster and there could be an opportunity for negotiation leverage there. That said, EPL allegedly not loving Peacock.
4. FOX SPORTS -- With FX now in the Disney family, they don't have a great linear platform to bring to the table. FSN appears to be downsizing, not looking to add. But they do have the World Cup in 2022, and that's just about the best partner programming for EPL you could want.
5. STRAIGHT DTC PLAYS (AMAZON, NETFLIX, APPLE) -- All have all the money in the world to mount a winning bid, but I'd guess, like the NFL, the EPL would prefer to maintain a broadcast or cable component for their marquee events. Also these platforms (especially Netflix) strongly prefer worldwide rights, and it seems unlikely EPL would be looking to include anything beyond the US.
6. DISCOVERY (DISCOVERY+) -- Longshot in that they have no US sports content at all, but internationally they're huge, including much of the ex-UK rights for the EPL. I doubt they'd go all in (or EPL would want them as an exclusive US partner), but I could see them teaming up somehow with Viacom.
7. FUBO, DAZN -- Just don't see these having the dough to land anything except a tertiary piece at best
8. WARNERMEDIA (Turner, HBOMax) -- The Turner networks would be a great linear home, but HBOMax hasn't revealed any interest in live sports, and it's doesn't have especially better reach than Peacock. I suppose a Paramount+/Turner combination (with Turner replacing the modest Paramount Network on the linear side) could be compelling.
