Optus May Bundle Sports Streaming with Mobile Plans

Optus is exploring the idea of combining its mobile plans with access to live sports streaming, aiming to attract customers but also facing financial pressures. The move comes as the telecom giant recovers from a major data breach and nationwide network outage that impacted its reputation and financial standing.

Currently, Optus has been considering selling its Optus Sport business to raise funds after significant losses in its enterprise division. This sports streaming service, launched in 2016, holds key broadcasting rights, including the English Premier League, and saw record-breaking viewership during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The company’s leadership is now evaluating whether keeping Optus Sport and integrating it with mobile plans could enhance customer retention. While similar bundling strategies have been used in the past by competitors like Telstra, Optus currently offers only discounts for existing customers rather than full service integration.

If implemented, this strategy could strengthen Optus’s market position by differentiating its mobile offerings through exclusive sports content. However, financial concerns remain, as the company reported a $480 million loss in the last financial year and is under pressure from its parent company to improve profitability.

Source: Australian Financial Review, AInvest, Tech Wire Asia