Why I Can’t Wait for the Premier League to Start

PaulRybicki · ‎25-07-2016

I spent the best part of a decade living in London right by Stamford Bridge. Many Saturday afternoons were spent watching Chelsea play at home – I remember the first time I set foot in the stadium, the atmosphere was so electrifying, I became a proud fan there and then. Fast forward 10 years and I’m back in Australia, eagerly waiting for the 2016/17 Premier League season to start. This year I’m more excited than ever because Optus is bringing us Premier League fans a sensational and unique way of watching all the action.

To my delight, Optus will be delivering the Premier League via the internet; this is going to be amazing because it’ll give you more choice and flexibility on where, when and how you watch the Premier League than ever before. There’s going to be a 24/7 channel that is 100% dedicated to the Premier League featuring:

All 380 games live
Pre, during and post-match in-depth analysis from renowned football presenters and world-class pundits including Andy Townsend, Ian Wright and Manish Bhasin
Daily Football Today programme providing a comprehensive football magazine, chat and analysis show
Two daily news shows delivering the latest new stories and action from the Premier League
Brand new Fantasy Premier League show, where presenter James Richardson shares all the latest information, tips and predictions on the Fantasy League
Two daily International Fans shows where fans can call/Skype/tweet the studio to ask questions, share their thoughts and comments and send in fan images and videos

Some of this content has never been seen by Premier League fans in Australia before so this is great news for those like me who love the beautiful game.

As well as the top-quality content on our 24/7 channel, this Premier League season will be special because you’ll be able to catch all 380 games live, there’s a dedicated Premier League app and website, plus you can watch the action on multiple devices. Some of my favourite features include the ‘one click to live’ functionality which means you’re only one click away from watching a live game and the spoiler alert feature that hides match scores if you want to watch the game on demand without knowing the result. There’s also no need to record matches anymore because most games will be available to watch on demand a minute after they finish. And what’s more, you can get the 2016/17 Premier League season for free if you join the Optus network on selected plans before 22^nd August. Oh and don’t forget that the Premier League content is data-free on selected Optus plans so you won’t drain data*.

If you’re still undecided, I encourage you to download the dedicated app – it’s easy to do and once you’re in, have a play around and look at the quality of the content and functionality, I guarantee you’ll be impressed. If you don’t have an existing service with us, don’t worry, there are options for you. If you’re locked into a broadband contract with another provider, you can take a post-paid mobile service with us and for an extra $5/month you can get our Yes TV by Fetch Mini set-top box (works over any home broadband internet connection) and get the 2016/17 Premier League season for free if you join before 22^nd August**.

Alternatively, if you’re waiting for a new handset to come out before choosing a mobile service, we have month-to-month plans that will allow you to start watching the Premier League straight away – you can then upgrade the plan when your new phone arrives. Lastly, I suggest speaking to your friends who already have the service to see what they think or start a discussion on Yes Crowd to see other members’ opinions. As a football fan myself, I’m very proud of what we’ve created and I know Premier League supporters are going to love it.

As a little teaser before the Premier League kicks off, Optus will be broadcasting 18 International Champions Cup games, where some of Europe’s biggest clubs battle it out in pre-season matches. The game I’m most excited about is Barcelona vs Leicester but it’ll also be interesting to see the team Pep Guardiola rolls out in the Manchester derby match (Manchester United vs Manchester City) too! We’ll also be broadcasting a pre-season match between West Ham United v Juventus, live from The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium on Sunday 7^th August 2016 at 10pm AEST.

Now back to the Premier League and the upcoming season - after witnessing Leicester’s stunning victory last year, who knows what’s going to happen this season? Personally, I can’t wait to see what Pep Guardiola does at City and how José Mourinho goes at United. There’s a tremendous amount of talent in the Premier League both on and off the pitch so it’ll be fascinating to see how it plays out. As a Chelsea fan I’m also hoping that we’ll do better than last season!

I’d love to hear your predications for the coming season, favourite footballing momentsas well as anything you’re particularly excited about. Just leave any thoughts or questions in the comments below.

*Advertisements, analytics and authentication use data and may incur data charges

** Min total cost is $420 over 12 months for $30 SIM Only mobile plan and Yes TV by Fetch Mini

***For anyone wondering, mine is Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’ against England in the 1986 World Cup!

Ts & Cs

Personal viewing in Oz only. Premier League: 2016/17 EPL subscription on mobile plans from $30/,mth (Min cost $360 over 12 months). From 31/07/17 EPL is $15/mth on selected plans, cancel EPL anytime without charge. Yes TV by Fetch Mini: requires an active fixed broadband Internet connection and a download speed of at least 3Mbps, a widescreen TV and an external antenna connection. Data charges will apply from your internet service provider. You cannot use your mobile data to watch content from the Yes TV by Fetch Mini. If mobile service is cancelled Yes TV by Fetch Mini service will also be cancelled. If the Yes TV by Fetch Mini service is cancelled you must return the device to Optus or charges will apply. Visit http://www.optus.com.au/.

SJD · ‎27-07-2016

Hi Paul- super excited for the season kickoff!

Having watched the ICC game on Friday I was thrilled with the quality of the display. But without a doubt I am the most excited to watch James Richardson (AC Jimbo) on the big screen! The quality of the punditry that is coming our way is amazing and a marked step up from what Aussie EPL fans are used to.

Can't wait for the 13th of August! With so many managerial and roster changes at the big clubs it's difficult to gaze into the future to see who'll be lifting the EPL title. I do feel though normal order will be restored with Arsenal, United, Chelsea and City making up the top 4 (West Ham though are a dark horse for that top 4 spot). Sneaky suspicion your team Chelsea though will be hoisting the trophy this year!

DanSaulKnight · ‎27-07-2016

Hi Paul - less than super excited for the season kick off...!

I'll ignore the spurious comment from SujithD, who clearly has never seen a Premier League game in his life. Not sure how a genuine fan can be "thrilled with the quality of the display" when an EPL team gets spanked 4-1 by a Bundesliga team. Might I suggest any pre written comments from your Marketing Department be reviewed prior to posting or else you make your strategy very obvious. At least he didn't mention Monday's game as that would have just made you look ridiculous.

Anyway, enough of my banter - I do have a comment of my own.

Last season I watched three EPL games at once, one on my TV and two on iPads. Never an issue with quality or congestion as I have a solid internet connection that consistently provides a speed of 20-30 Mbps. Other devices in the household were also being used with no issues. Now my option is to replace my perfectly good internet solution with an inferior Optus solution, where the advice to ensure a quality viewing experience is to "Check to make sure no-one else is using your internet at the same time you are watching Premier League."

I am at a loss to understand how this fits with your claim that "Access to Australia's most comprehensive Premier League experience is exclusive to Optus customers, and there's a viewing option to suit everyone."

It would appear you do not have a viewing option to suit me. I don't see any asterisk to reference any caveat. Please explain how you can make this claim...? It's just false advertising in my opinion.

Nghi · ‎28-07-2016

Thanks for the support SujithD 🙂 We're glad you're excited as we are about the upcoming season. We've worked really hard to get our platform ready for kick-off in August.

For DanSaulKnight, we understand that the way we've chosen to broadcast EPL will disrupt how some fans will access the content. We believe our offering is a strong one and represents amazing value. Obviously, we'd like you to to bring over your existing mobile or home internet service over to us but it's not strictly necessary. We know some fans are tied to existing contracts and are unable to move over at this time. We are offering SIM only plans to accommodate them. You can even sign-up for a month-to-month option and test out the service.

DanSaulKnight · ‎28-07-2016

"We understand that the way we've chosen to broadcast EPL will disrupt how some fans will access the content."

"Access to Australia's most comprehensive Premier League experience is exclusive to Optus customers, and there's a viewing option to suit everyone."

So which of these contradictory claims is the truth...?

You may well "believe" that your offering is a strong one and represents amazing value, but I choose to belive the multitude of complaints on this forum. And pur-lease don't insult your disgruntled customers with your thanks to one off posters that are Optus employees in disguise. I wouldn't be surprised if SujithD is sitting next to you.

Wildewillsy76 · ‎29-07-2016

There is nothing comprehensive about the coverage at all. The way real football fans have been screwed over by having to be with Optus to watch their team LIVE is nothing short of disgraceful. Then there is the 2018 World Cup coverage that Optus will have exclusive rights to for a majority of it. Yes SBS sold out to Optus to get the FTA rights to one gameof the EPL per week, but not everyone will see their team each which is sad. In my situation english football plays lower division football, so thankfully I am lucky the EPL is just an option, not a neccessity to view.

yapa · ‎29-07-2016

Good Luck getting access if you are an Optus Cable customer.

I signed up over a month ago to get access to the EPL. As of today i have not been able to get a login to access this service. The latest i have been told is that this is a known issue happening to Cable customers.

Over 2 weeks of calls and chats to customer service have ended in false promises and growing discontent.

Don't buy the rights if you can't even give eligible customers access to the content.

I had high hopes for this. Poor form Optus. Not good enough.

johnnyred · ‎29-07-2016

Hello Paul so you are a Chelsea supporter I used to go to Stamford Bridge when the Arsenal were playing away from home during the years from 1956 to 1964 Drakes Ducklings saw Jimmy Greaves score five goals against Wolves who were a top European Team at that time with Billy Wright captain of England. Excellent young team Chelsea but not as good as the Busby Babes. I remember many youth and under 23 players in their squad. Bonetti, the Sillet brothers at back, Terry Venables, Chopper Harris, Roy Bentley, Ken Shilleto, Peter Brabrook, David Cliss, Bobby Tambling, Les Allen, Jimmy Greaves etc wonderful days happy memories.

Cindytalk · ‎01-08-2016

Me too Paul!

Can't wait for the season start and to watch my beloved Burnley FC, let's hope the can stay up this time.

I'm looking forward to the Optus coverage and of course the pundits and all the shows.

Jenkins · ‎03-08-2016

Hello Paul,

Wish i could share your enthusiasm to the season starting. I have followed the game for 30 years and am from the UK. I've lived in Australia the last 10 years and have spent every weekend of the football season religiously staying up to watch my team, week in, week out. Now, thanks to Optus, i am unable to watch the game i love and have spent all my life watching. The unit i live in only has access for IINET, Optus are unable to have access (even if they did i would refuse to pay for the con of a subscription). This is an absolute joke and disgrace to football fans in Australia who must have some sort of Optus account to watch the games. If this happened in the UK there would be a riot. To say i am angry and disappointed is an understatement. I hope Optus FAIL MASSIVELY.

Jenkins · ‎03-08-2016

You must have lived in London and became a 'fan' when the Russian came in. By the way, Stamford Bridge, has never been electrifying. Obviously never went to a proper ground.

DanSaulKnight · ‎04-08-2016

Seeing as Paul worked for BSkyB at the time I'm not surprised the experience was "electrifying". The Stamford Bridge executive boxes have a great view for the prawn sandwich eating brigade...

Bluemoon · ‎04-08-2016

Dear Paul,

You should have stayed at Stamford Bridge with the "electrifying atmosphere" in a stadium packed with tourists and Johnny come lateley's. The reality is long time hard core EPL fans like myself have been done over by your company. For your information I copped it between the eyes, bit the bullet and decided to change broadband Internet and home phone to Optus for EPL access after having an easy hassle free service from foxtel, I got my V 2.0 "fetch box" connecting to the internet through powerline adapter ( with Optus broadband streaming) and the quality is disgraceful, cutting out at different times of the day in addition to poor picture quality Spent hours with your "customer service team" for no result. So much for a comprehensive coverage like never before.

If you wanted to show EPL you should have had a trouble free and easy platform to do it instead of giving grief to so many EPL loving fans

So thanks for nothing excedpt ruining peoples EPL experience Paul and Optus.

P.S

If you spent the money you paid for the EPL rights on customer service and good products you wouldn't have had to use extortion tactics on EPL fans to raise your sales numbers.

Shae · ‎04-08-2016

Jenkins - You're able to get a mobile account with EPL access and you can use your existing ISP to watch the EPL if you'd prefer?

Shae · ‎04-08-2016

Bluemoon - Not good to hear about that experience at all. Are you able to PM me some account info and we can take a look into it? I'm not making any promises but if we can improve the quality of the feed for you, it's definitely something we want to do.

Jenkins · ‎05-08-2016

Shae, no thanks, I'm locked into a12 month contract with Foxtel which will cost me to break and am more than happy with my mobile provider. I also understand that Optus service is rubbish, so why would I want to incur all these additional costs? I am absolutely disgusted as to how Optus have ripped people off with this, they have put real football fans over a barrel. I also looked into the Apple TV option (I already have Apple TV) but have found that I would need to buy the new Apple TV which is something like $400!!!!!!! Why on earth can they Optus football app just not be put on the existing Apple TV ????? They have added new apps all the time! Conveniently a new Apple TV comes out and it's just before the season starts, oh and it has the Optus premier league on it. Another rort. Appalling. I will watch the premier league, it just won't be through Optus. I hope many other people like me vote with their feet you realise what a big mistake this is. It's primitive, why are Optus not partnering with somebody ? This is clearly a strategy to ultimately impact Telstras customer base, there is no consideration for football fans. This is all about taking Telstras customers via Foxtel and increasing market share.

Dave · ‎05-08-2016

Sorry to hear you feel that way Jenkins. Can confirm that the Gen 1-3 Apple TV does not have an app store however you can Airplay to your iPad/iPhone.

johnnyred · ‎08-08-2016

We do have fetch both Mighty and Mini unfortunately there is no EPL APP on it to watch we have subscribed to the $80 bundle before 25 July 2016 we are concerned that we will be missing the Arsenal V Liverpool match

Sam_D · ‎08-08-2016

Hey johnnyred - I can see that Aman has responded to your other post here. Best to keep communication to the one thread to avoid confusion 🙂

MarkScarfe1972 · ‎11-08-2016

This should be titles "I cant wait for the contract to go back to Foxtel". Each time I turn on the Fetch box I get the error message telling me it cant stream. I complained about this a few weeks ago but its still the same. I have Optus NBN and its worse, far worse than my trouble free ADSL+2. I now have to restart the machine to get it working. Will I miss games I record when Im asleep because of this? I just want to turn the macnine on and it works. Come on Optus. This is a disgrace.

Jenkins · ‎12-08-2016

Music to my ears Markscarfe1972. How on earth is the biggest game in the world being streamed through the Internet? How long for these issues to continue before somebody realises that this is a joke? i am hopeful this will turn into a catastrophe for Optus, they realise the error of their ways and partner with Foxtel to distribute the channel through them.

No response from Paul Rybicki, surprise, surprise.

Hollie · ‎12-08-2016

Hey Guys! Really sorry to hear about the troubles you've been having with the service 😕 Are you able to confirm if you've chatted to our TV & Content tech team about this on 1800 230 158? They'd be the best people to chat with about this and they can have a more in-depth look at the connection stats are your streaming as well as the issues you're having with the Yes TV by Fetch box.

If you have chatted to them previously I'd be more than happy to have a look into this further for you if you can PM me your Optus service details and Premier League subscription email address.

HammersFan · ‎12-08-2016

I signed up for the EPL service on the 1st August with a guarantee of full installation and the service working between 1 pm to 5 pm. I took half a day off for this installation. At 11.24, as I was driving home I received a text message, not a phone call, a text message saying... "Were (sic) sorry, but your install has been moved to 7/9/16. An entire MONTH after my promised install date. To say I am disappointed is the most understated term I could use. Optus LIED to me just to get me to sign a 2 year contract for internet and EPL. They would have known there was a delay when I signed up yet still told me I could have it by the 12th. In fact, every other day I was receiving email and text messages telling me to "Get Excited" as I'll soon be connected. It cost me around $300 to take a half day off and they have offered me $50 credit on my account! I will still need to take another half day off for the new install date which will again cost at least $300. Had I known of the delay I would have signed up with any one of the other big ISPs who are all a cheaper service than Optus, and just paid for the Fetch box and paid a monthly subscription for the EPL.

Optus, I've not had my first kilobyte of data from you and you've lost me already.

johnnyred · ‎12-08-2016

So far we are extremely disappointed first of all bo Optus Sport on both our fetch TV.

Being charged also $30 the first month for a SIM card when the areement was for a bundle the SIM card within the bundle. We will be complaining to Consumer protection and Telecommunications ombudsman egarding our disatisfaction.

johnnyred · ‎12-08-2016

no optus sport, $30 dollar charge for SIM after the salesman told us that we could have the SIM card with $20 dollar discount if we purchased the $80 bundle.

Jenkins · ‎12-08-2016

Johnnyred and Hammersfan no offence but you shouldn't have been sucked in to this rort/scam. I am a massive fan of the game and at the moment, for the first time in 20 years I have no idea how I will watch my teams first game of the season, one day before the season kicks off !!! Out of principle I refuse to get sold on this Optus malarkey. With no customers they have no service to provide. The more people that realise this, the more they have to reconsider their strategy. I've been told by somebody who lives in Singapore that exactly the same platform is in place over there for the premier league and the cost to watch it after a number of years of being a subscriber goes up and up. Funnily enough it's the same guy who runs the show down here for Singtel, the Singaporean provider. Locking people into contracts now secures income while also shafting the biggest competitor Telstra. There is no interest in fans, it's about money. The worrying thing is what happens when they stream a big match and everyone is online trying to watch it at the same time. It has disaster written all over it.

MarkScarfe1972 · ‎12-08-2016

Ive had issues with my NBN for 8 months and Ive been to the ombudsman about it. Your tech support is rubbish and I constantly get lied to from Optus. Ive been with Optus for 10yrs and if I dont watch it live (which I dont gecause I tape it) Ill watch the replay on the Foztel club channels. Optus can ring me to fix it if you want me to watch it. Im done.

Steph_C · ‎13-08-2016

Completely understand how frustrating this would be @HammersFan - were our preactivations team able to advise why the connection was delayed? Happy to take a look into this if you still need a hand - just need you to PM me your account info and DOB.

@johnnyred Not too sure what you mean - we don't have home phone and internet bundles that include mobiles in the price, these would be separate plans, however we do have some offers that include discounts for having all services with us, is this what you're referring to?

DanSaulKnight · ‎14-08-2016

How can you claim the games are "live" when they are a full minute behind actual time. I got texts from mates just before each goal. I checked against the SBS broadcast - same thing, a full minute behind.

How is this not false advertising...?

What is the reason for the delay...?

johnnyred · ‎14-08-2016

Paul cannot wait to see the Arsenal for the first time while living in Perth for the last 30 years have never been to the Emirates sorry I forgot the cup final wins on SBS but it will bring back memories of my ols Highbury days fron 1947 to 1989 up the reds cmon you gunners with us watching you win the English Premier League this year just before Arsene's retirement

Schmob · ‎15-08-2016

I love my SamsungGalaxy S5 BUT it's not big enough to watch a whole game on. How can I atch the mathces on my big screen TV without Chromecast...? Optus do not offer an interet service in my area as we are 5k from the exchange so I can't use ADSL of any quality. I don't mind paying for a service I love but it seems Optus have actually REMOVED my choice...?

Pete · ‎23-08-2016

Hey Schmob, if you have a Post Paid mobile service with us and have broadband with another provider, we're able to offer you the Yes TV Mini for $5 which will allow you to watch the EPL on the big screen.

DanSaulKnight · ‎12-09-2016

Hey Pete...

Any chance you can answer my question... I guess you missed it on the previous page...

How can you claim the games are "live" when they are a full minute behind actual time. I got texts from mates just before each goal. I checked against the SBS broadcast - same thing, a full minute behind the SBS broadcast...

How is this not false advertising...?

What is the reason for the delay...?

Wildewillsy76 · ‎12-09-2016

The coverage of the EPL is so poor I refuse to watch it even on my iPad. It is continually buffering and not up to standard for portable viewing.

johnnyred · ‎12-09-2016

We do find it perfect on generation four Apple TV

Wildewillsy76 · ‎12-09-2016

Johnnyred. I couldn't care less how you are finding it on generation four Apple TV. The quality from my point of view sucks.

johnnyred · ‎13-09-2016

Our Apple TV is perfect we believe that all so called free to air TV should from now on be streamed live it far better than the antenna we are all extremely fortunate that Optus is now providing the English premier league we would never ever consider subscribing to Fox.

Nghi · ‎13-09-2016

Hey Wildewillsy76, is the iPad connected to our mobile network or are you going through WiFi and home internet? What speeds are you getting over your connection? Is it only EPL content having problems or other sites as well like Netflix and YouTube? You can raise a fault with our EPL team on 1800230158.

Jenkins · ‎18-09-2016

Johnnyred you must work for Optus? I went to a mates to watch 'live' coverage of the game yesterday morning, only to have my fears confirmed that the game was at least 50 seconds behind. Do you enjoy watching a "live" game on delay ?? Or do you have no friends and watch on your own? I like to watch the game live and be part of things happening when they happen not waiting a minute to celebrate when everyone else is watching a corner down the other end of the park.

Optus = rip off + false advertising, not the first time either that Optus have acted fraudulently. Can somebody tell me anyway to watch the English Premier League Live ??? Streaming through other sources gives me a 30 second delay at the moment and it's free. However, not much to ask but would love to watch the Premier League live. I mean it's only the year 2016. Pathetic coverage, full refunds should be given to all those who signed up for this con and also the ability to cancel any contracts that have been signed to have this service.

Jenkins · ‎18-09-2016

Just reading some of these comments and the effort people have to go through to watch a game of football is unbelievable. $180 million Optus paid and they have NO CLUE how to show live coverage. Unbelievable, yet they are happy to take everybody's money and let them link their iPad or their Apple TV or whatever else just to try and watch !!!! Just strike a deal with Foxtel and have a channel on there and charge for it. That way everyone is happy and if other people like Johnnyred want to watch the biggest game in the world on a 50 second delay with their Apple TV then good luck to them.

HammersFan · ‎18-09-2016

It's so much the delay that shits me but the constant picture freezing and incredibly poor picture quality. At times I simply have to look away from the screen as it hurts my eyes it's that bad, and I;m using the Optus broadband they "sold" me specifically to watch the Premier League. I've had 3 recorded games that were unwatchable as 2 of them jumped 30 seconds ahead every minute and a half, and one recorded game stopped halfway through the first half with an error message stating "Interrupted download".

Even watching On Demand is terrible quality. All this after waiting an additional MONTH after my guaranteed installation date. I am that close to cancelling everything with Optus, Take me to court for breach of contract if you dare.Optus you have failed in EVERY area to date.

Aman_B · ‎19-09-2016

Hey @HammersFan, apologies for the inconvenience caused. Could you please confirm the internet speeds you get when watching EPL and also what device are you watching the game on?

HammersFan · ‎19-09-2016

Hi Aman.

I don't know what the speed is of the internet except when downloading stuff on my laptop it shows maximum 74Kbps compared to when I use a USB mobile broadbacd which shows 240 plus Kbps.

I'm watching, or trying to watch the games on a LG smart TV, less than 3 years old.

I have NOT been able to watch one game uninterrupted yet.

Serena · ‎20-09-2016

The Internet speeds can impact on the streaming, is the Internet connected through Optus or another service provider? You can also run a speed test here with only one computer connected via Ethernet and making sure there are no programs running in the background. Let us know what the result is, you can also speak with our dedicated EPL team on 1800230158 for further trouble shooting.

HammersFan · ‎20-09-2016

The internet is through Optus, I'd you knew that.

It's costing $110 a month and was set up ONLY to watch the Premier League.

I was specific about that when I signed up so I EXPECT the service I was sold would be sufficient to do the job.

I do not have an ethernet connection on my laptop, which is why I had to have wireless.

I seem to be going round in circles with this.

However it happens I want my internet to be able to stream live games THIS weekend with NO interruptions or the entire package is being cancelled.

There are many other cheaper service providers out there.

Hollie · ‎21-09-2016

Hey @HammersFan - more than happy to check out your Internet connection just to make sure there's nothing going on there that could be causing these issues. Are you able to PM me your full name, DOB and Optus account number or Internet username?