From just a few hundred thousand USD per season, the value of Premier League broadcasting rights in Vietnam has soared to tens of millions after Canal+ entered the market. If the French giant pulls out, what does it mean for Vietnam’s pay-TV landscape?

From free-to-air to Canal+ dominance

Before 2000, Premier League rights in Vietnam were cheap, costing only a few hundred thousand USD per season. Broadcasters like VTV and HTV could easily buy the rights and share them with provincial stations, allowing fans to watch English football on VTV3, HTV7, and HTV9 completely free of charge.

In the early 2000s, costs climbed into the millions. International agencies such as World Sport Group (WSG) monopolized regional distribution, forcing VTV and HTV to negotiate through intermediaries, which pushed prices higher. Even so, fans still enjoyed the league mostly for free.

Between 2007 and 2009, rights jumped to over 10 million USD for three seasons, burdening Vietnamese broadcasters. VTC stunned the market by securing rights and offering Premier League matches free on digital terrestrial TV. But heavy costs soon forced VTC to share with VTV, sparking disputes over coverage.

The turning point came in 2009 when Canal+ partnered with VTV to launch K+. From the 2010–2013 seasons, K+ spent around 30–40 million USD for exclusive rights, several times higher than before. It was the first time Vietnamese fans had to pay subscription fees to watch the league. Since then, K+ has maintained a central role, renewing rights until at least the 2027–2028 season. Rumors suggest rights have surpassed 50 million USD for three seasons.

Vietnam’s broadcasting market transformed from free-to-air to pay-TV and OTT. Platforms like FPT Play, MyTV, Viettel TV, and VTVCab have had no choice but to sublicense from K+, cementing its monopoly. What began as a few hundred thousand USD deal has become a multi-million-dollar game dominated by Canal+ and K+.

Uncertain future if Canal+ exits

Recently, Canal+ announced it is considering leaving Vietnam due to prolonged losses. If it withdraws, a new operator would need time to fill the gap, triggering negotiations, bidding rounds, and operational trials that may disrupt services and frustrate subscribers.

A sudden exit could cause broadcasting blackouts and price hikes. Earlier this season, users reported being unable to watch matches when platforms like VieON abruptly stopped carrying K+ despite pre-paid subscriptions.

Yet some see this as a chance for healthier competition. Without K+, strong domestic players such as FPT Play, Viettel TV, VTVcab, and OTT platforms like VieON could step in. This would end one-sided monopolies, improve service quality, and possibly lower subscription prices by offering flexible packages.

An executive from a telecom provider told VietNamNet: “Vietnamese broadcasters would deliver the Premier League to as many subscribers as possible. For them, it’s about revenue, not exclusivity. If multiple providers share the rights, subscription fees could become more affordable and users would have real choices.”

Industry experts add that Canal+ typically buys wholesale Premier League packages and allocates them across its markets, including Vietnam’s K+. But the specific costs charged to K+ remain unclear. Some believe that if Canal+ exits, rights fees may fall to a more reasonable level, making English football more accessible to Vietnamese fans.

If the transfer is managed properly, the market could restructure towards healthier competition. But if not, the short-term risks remain high.

Thai Khang