StarHub apologized to its customers on Thursday (June 9) after the “overwhelming reaction” on the first day of the English Premier League (EPL) led to a delay.
The telco added that the situation has improved and will offer discounted rates to everyone who signs up by June 19th, rather than the first 25,000 subscribers as originally planned.
StarHub wrote on its Facebook page:
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the overwhelming response, which took longer than expected to provide services to our customers.”
The company announced subscription prices on Wednesday.
The early bird promotion, which began Thursday at 10 am, was for the first 25,000 sign-ups (including both existing and new subscribers).
For existing customers (mobile postpaid, broadband, or TV plans with $ 15 or more per month), the monthly fee is $ 19.99. Non-StarHub users will pay $ 34.99 per month to catch all 380 games next season.
Regular prices are $ 5 higher and monthly fees are $ 24.99 and $ 39.99, respectively. No minimum contract is required for both options.
By comparison, in the last season, Singtel subscribers paid $ 49.90 per month for live games via Cast, an over-the-top platform, or $ 64.90 to catch EPL on TV. Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, F1, MotoGP and Wimbledon were also included.
Some customers struggled to sign up online, posted a screenshot of their failed attempt on the StarHub Facebook page, and then got frustrated with the answer, “Sorry, we can’t process your request. Please try again.” It was left as it was.
Others have pointed out that the StarHub website “continues to crash”, but some people can “add to cart” but not follow their purchases.
DeryxLim writes:
In February, StarHub announced that it would be Singapore’s official EPL broadcaster for the next six seasons.
The telephone company, which reported that entertainment subscribers (a combination of OTT and pay TV) increased from 376,000 to 450,000 in the first quarter of this year, refused to disclose the amount paid for the latest transaction with EPL.
It is reported that Singtel paid $ 250 million in a three-year contract in 2007 before it was said to have forked $ 400 million between 2010 and 2013 as it took over broadcasting rights from its rivals. .. Singtel retained these rights until this year.
Singtel pay-TV subscribers will continue to be able to watch EPL games through the setup box through a cross-carriage contract that has been in effect since 2013, but will have to pay $ 64.90 per month. The same price applies to StarHub Premier Pack subscribers from July onwards.
