February 10 – Manchester United are to launch a premium streaming app targeting fans outside the UK with the club’s MUTV channel. The app will be available in 160 countries with pricing levels between £1.49 and £4.99.
Targeting the mobile market specifically, the app will be a continuous live stream of United’s 24-hour television channel and on-demand library, documentary boxsets, studio shows, recent matches, highlights and classic matches.
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: “It will enable us to build a global base of customers, tracking user behaviour within the app and test and optimise marketing. It’s something we expect to grow steadily over time.
“We believe the mobile side of the business will grow over the years. We’re measured about expectations around this.”
Core to the marketing of the app will the club’s base of social media connections that is growing across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at over 200,000 a week – far outstripping its Premier League rivals.
Broadcasting deals with the Premier League in the UK will prevent the app being launched in that market.
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