The Premier League has announced plans to assume full control of its international media production and distribution operations starting from the 2026/27 season. The move will end a 20-year partnership with IMG, which has delivered global coverage of Premier League matches through Premier League Productions (PLP).
In a joint statement, both organisations highlighted the success of their collaboration, which has been instrumental in growing the Premier League’s global audience across 189 markets. PLP currently provides more than 6,000 hours of content annually, including live broadcasts of all 380 matches and extensive support programming for over 55 international broadcast partners.
Paul Molnar, the Premier League’s Chief Media Officer, praised IMG’s contribution, stating, “IMG has been a fantastic partner, delivering world-class content and driving innovation that has helped grow our global audience. As we transition to in-house operations, our focus remains on providing top-quality content for our partners and fans worldwide.”
IMG’s Executive Vice President, Studios, Barney Francis, echoed the sentiment, describing the partnership as “game-changing” for the way fans experience football. He noted IMG’s role in introducing technological advancements such as 4K broadcasts and state-of-the-art virtual studios, which set a benchmark for global sports broadcasting.
While the partnership continues for the next two seasons, the decision to internalise production reflects the Premier League’s ambitions to enhance control over its media operations. Details about the new in-house unit are expected to emerge before its 2026 launch.
