In the May 12th 2007 edition of The Straits Times in the Saturday section, there were several reports about globalization. One of which is about the relationship between globalization and the English Premier League (EPL). Here is a brief summary of the report by Yap Koon Hong. According to the report, the EPL is the most widely distributed sports programme and has a following of nearly 1.4 million in Singapore and 280 million in Asia. 400000 was the figure given by ESPN Star Sports when asked about viewership of the EPL outside homes. The EPL attracts about a billion viewers in 195 countries worldwide.

The following is a brief explanation of how this is made possible:
à Satellite technology provides the global link which beams the matches in real time to anywhere for anyone willing to pay for it.
à Pay television serves as the principal treasure trove by which the EPL funds its reach and quality.
à A borderless policy of acquiring the best talent money can buy has helped it achieve is self advertised image as the “greatest show on Earth”

Without satellite technology, viewership of the EPL is at most confined to the stadium capacity. It is plain obvious that the use of satellites has exponentially increased the amount of viewership the EPL receives. Thanks to these satellites, people all around the world are able to cheer for their favourite teams simultaneously. While the football teams are playing in England, people halfway around the globe for example, in Singapore, can see in real time, all the action.

DOne by: Jonathan Pung

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