Optima Sports retains Sub-Saharan Africa free-to-air Premier League package

Optima Sports Management International (OSMI) has acquired the free-to-air broadcast rights to the Barclays Premier League in Sub-Saharan Africa.

OSMI, which has held the rights in the region since 2007, will provide live coverage of England’s leading soccer league in over 50 African countries from next season to the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

Rotimi Pedro, the company’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted at this news and are thankful to the Premier League for the opportunity given to us to extend our tenure, thereby allowing us to build on the extensive experience that we have built up on the continent in the free-to-air space.

“It is pleasing to know that the Premier League values our partnership and recognises the role we play in the Sub-Saharan Africa market.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: “We are extremely pleased that OSMI has again chosen to invest in the package of free-to-air broadcast rights that we make available in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“These rights are important to ensuring that as many people as possible can follow our matches in a region which is known for its passionate and dedicated support for Premier League football.”