Latest news with #OptusSport
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
As Optus Sport closes, subscription refunds are on their way
Optus Sport customers who paid an annual fee for the service will receive a refund when it shuts down next month – but only by cheque in some cases. Optus announced on 30 June its sport streaming service would close on 1 August, after it transferred the rights to broadcast the Premier League, FA Cup and other competitions to Nine Entertainment and Stan. In an email to customers on Monday – seen by Guardian Australia – Optus said eligible customers would need to provide their postal and email address by 29 August to get a refund on the unused portion of their $199 annual subscription. 'We can only issue your refund via a cheque,' the email said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email A spokesperson for Optus said a 'subset group' of customers had been told their refund would be issued via cheque. 'This is not the standard practise and is occurring where electronic banking is unavailable due to our billing and subscription management system constraints or where the credit card has been cancelled, expired or failed,' they said. In 2023 the government announced that cheques would be phased out in a 'gradual, coordinated and inclusive' transition to purely digital payment services, after a 90% decline in the use of cheques over 10 years. One former Optus customer commented on X: 'Cheque refund @OptusSport ... what sort of medieval transaction is this. Havnt been to a ye old bank for years.' In a February 2024 submission to the government's consultation process on the transition away from cheques, Optus noted there were 'limited circumstances' where cheques were still used. 'Cheques remain beneficial where a large volume of payments is required to be made, particularly where such payments are unable to be provided via the original payment method (for example, for former customers or where details are no longer current) … 'In addition, cheques remain a secure way of providing payments without needing to contact customers / former customers and requesting updated financial details. This is important in an environment where Government and organisations are taking steps to reduce and disrupt scam activity.' In November 2024 the government confirmed that cheques could no longer be issued after 28 June 2028, and would not be accepted after 30 September 2029. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion A spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said consumer law did not specify what method should be used for refunds. 'However, businesses that use cheques to provide customers with refunds should be planning for how they will transition to other payment methods in line with the government's transition plan for the phasing out of cheques,' the spokesperson said. 'Businesses should also consider ways to ensure that their customers are actually able to receive any refunds, particularly consumers in remote areas with less access to banking facilities.' The digital policy director at the Consumer Policy Research Centre, Chandni Gupta, said digital products had a clear path between product and payment – if money came in one way, it should be returned the same way. 'Placing the onus on individuals to go through extra steps to claim a refund that is rightly theirs creates an unnecessary barrier for someone who has already lost time and money,' Gupta said. 'It's unfair for customers to have to jump through hoops to access their refund, but sadly it's not illegal.' The director of legal practice at the Consumer Action Law Centre, Stephen Nowicki, said he generally did not see a problem with refunding money via cheque, and it might even be preferable to reduce the potential for scams. 'But if somebody prefers to get an online refund then I would hope Optus Sport gives them that option,' Nowicki said.
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Stan Sport buys rights to air English Premier League
English Premier League and FA Cup games will be shown on Stan Sport after the streaming service bought the broadcast rights in a $20 million deal. Optus Sport has broadcast games from one of the world's biggest soccer leagues for the past nine years in Australia but will shut down on August 1 following the buyout. Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, will begin streaming content from the 2025-26 season in August. Stan is paying Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycle. "This marks a step change in Nine's digital growth strategy," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet and alongside the Emirates FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences." The agreement includes the rights to Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. Nine said it would communicate with Optus Sport customers to ensure a seamless transition to Stan Sport. "It's the end of an unforgettable era here at Optus Sport we are excited for the future of football in Australia," Optus Sport said on its website. English Premier League and FA Cup games will be shown on Stan Sport after the streaming service bought the broadcast rights in a $20 million deal. Optus Sport has broadcast games from one of the world's biggest soccer leagues for the past nine years in Australia but will shut down on August 1 following the buyout. Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, will begin streaming content from the 2025-26 season in August. Stan is paying Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycle. "This marks a step change in Nine's digital growth strategy," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet and alongside the Emirates FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences." The agreement includes the rights to Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. Nine said it would communicate with Optus Sport customers to ensure a seamless transition to Stan Sport. "It's the end of an unforgettable era here at Optus Sport we are excited for the future of football in Australia," Optus Sport said on its website. English Premier League and FA Cup games will be shown on Stan Sport after the streaming service bought the broadcast rights in a $20 million deal. Optus Sport has broadcast games from one of the world's biggest soccer leagues for the past nine years in Australia but will shut down on August 1 following the buyout. Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, will begin streaming content from the 2025-26 season in August. Stan is paying Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycle. "This marks a step change in Nine's digital growth strategy," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet and alongside the Emirates FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences." The agreement includes the rights to Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. Nine said it would communicate with Optus Sport customers to ensure a seamless transition to Stan Sport. "It's the end of an unforgettable era here at Optus Sport we are excited for the future of football in Australia," Optus Sport said on its website. English Premier League and FA Cup games will be shown on Stan Sport after the streaming service bought the broadcast rights in a $20 million deal. Optus Sport has broadcast games from one of the world's biggest soccer leagues for the past nine years in Australia but will shut down on August 1 following the buyout. Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, will begin streaming content from the 2025-26 season in August. Stan is paying Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycle. "This marks a step change in Nine's digital growth strategy," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet and alongside the Emirates FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences." The agreement includes the rights to Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. Nine said it would communicate with Optus Sport customers to ensure a seamless transition to Stan Sport. "It's the end of an unforgettable era here at Optus Sport we are excited for the future of football in Australia," Optus Sport said on its website.
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Optus Sport customers to receive discounts after transfer of Premier League broadcast rights to Stan
Existing Optus Sport customers are set to receive discounted pricing to watch the English Premier League after the transfer of broadcast rights to Stan. Nine's Stan Sport streaming service will begin airing the football content from August 1, the date when Optus Sport shuts down, ending a nine-year run. The new Premier League season kicks off on August 16. It is yet to be determined whether any football content will be broadcast on Nine's free to air channels at this stage. Stan is paying Optus Sport an up-front fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycles. The agreement also includes the rights to FA Cup games, Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet, and alongside the FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said in a statement. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences through Stan Sport." Under the agreement, Optus Sport customers who remain Optus telecommunications customers will be provided discounted pricing from Stan. Existing customers will receive detailed information and special offers in coming days to ensure the transition to Stan is as simple as possible. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the decision to transfer the Premier League broadcast rights comes as the company shifts its focus to Optus's core operations in telecommunications, its commitment to customers, and unlocking further value for the business in its future. "Optus Sport has delivered outstanding sports broadcasting to Australian football lovers for almost a decade," Rue said in a statement. "One of our key priorities was to find a home for Optus Sport content which would take the game forward and enable all Optus Sport subscribers to continue to receive uninterrupted access to all their favourite football action. "Optus Sport customers and the game of football will be in great hands at Stan, and we know the game will receive the broadcasting priority it deserves from an organisation whose speciality is delivering quality sports programming to its customers." Existing Optus Sport customers will still be able access the broadcast of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament, which commences on July 3. ABC/AAP
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Huge change to the way Aussies watch football as Optus is DITCHED as English Premier League broadcaster: Here's where to watch it instead
Channel Nine and its streaming service Stan have secured the right to air all English Premier League matches in Australia in what amounts to a seismic change for soccer fans down under. The broadcaster reached an agreement to snatch the rights from Optus Sport in a move that was officially announced on Monday. Under the terms of the deal, Nine and Stan will also be the sole way to watch FA Cup matches in Australia. The three-year-deal effectively ends Optus's live sports programming and brings an end to the Optus Sport platform, which will close. Nine has bought out the rest of the rights period from Optus, with Stan giving discounted pricing to Optus Sport customers so they can continue to watch the world's biggest football league. The transition of the rights becomes official on August 1. 'The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet, and alongside the FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences through Stan Sport,' Nine CEO Matt Stanton said in a statement.
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Stan Sport buys rights to air English Premier League
Nine has bought the media rights agreements to English Premier League and Emirates FA Cup games from Stan Sport and the streaming service will shut down after a nine-year run. Nine's Stan Sport streaming service begin airing the football content from August 1, the date when Optus Sport shuts down. Stan is paying Optus Sport an upfront fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycles. "This marks a step change in Nine's digital growth strategy," said Nine CEO Matt Stanton. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet, and alongside the Emirates FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia. We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences." The agreement also includes the rights to Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. Nine said it would be communicating with Optus Sport customers to ensure a seamless transition to Stan Sport. "We have enjoyed every moment producing world-class content for football fans in Australia and around the globe and though it's the end of an unforgettable era here at Optus Sport we are excited for the future of football in Australia," Optus Sport said on its website.
