Optus Business and Tabcorp have signed a two-year deal to broadcast the English Premier League and the 2018 FIFA World CupTM to Sky Racing venues across Australia.

The deal gives Sky Racing venues an opportunity to enhance the customer experience by showing the full range of live Premier League fixtures in SD in any public viewing area of their venue where their existing Sky Racing channels can be broadcast.

Within the first few rounds of the EPL season, hotels, clubs and TAB agencies that are part of the initial roll out will broadcast matches in ideal timeslots such as Bournemouth v Manchester City (Saturday 26 August 9.30pm AEST) and Manchester City v Liverpool (Saturday 9 September at 9.30pm, AEST).

The new agreement means venues can feature Optus Sport 1, the 24/7 Premier League channel, via their Sky Racing boxes, with an option to show a second live game when multiple games are played at the same time. Sky Racing 1, 2 and Trackside will remain unchanged and will continue to be shown in all venues with Optus Sport an addition to the Sky broadcast in pubs, clubs and TAB agencies.

The 24/7 Premier League channel Optus Sport 1, features a wealth of UK and locally produced programming, including Daily News, shows such as Match Previews/Reviews, Countdown to Kick-off, Fanzone, Premier League World, Netbusters and match highlights from the round.

Tabcorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Attenborough said: “The broadcast of the English Premier League and the 2018 FIFA World CupTM to hotels, clubs and TAB agencies will deliver additionnal benefits to our venue partners. Outside of the three codes of racing, soccer is consistently one of the most popular sports with Tabcorp customers and the Premier League is the most popular soccer competition.”

John Paitaridis, Managing Director, Optus Business said: “Tabcorp is a longstanding customer of Optus, through its relationship with Optus Satellite. This new agreement represents a significant step for Optus in expanding and broadening our relationship with Tabcorp with new infrastructure and media services.”

The intention is currently for Optus Sport to be rolled out to Tabcorp’s Sky Racing venues during August and September.

Ahead of the action, viewers can tune in and join Richard Bayliss and Michael Bridges for Countdown to Kick-Off; an in-depth yet light-hearted look at what is in store this weekend.