The Standard Group PLC has issued a stern notice regarding its exclusive radio broadcast rights for the 2025/26 English Premier League (EPL) season in Kenya.
In a notice dated Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the media company reaffirmed, in no uncertain terms, that it holds the exclusive license to transmit EPL matches on radio within Kenyan territory.
It further warned that unauthorised broadcasts would trigger immediate legal action, according to the notice.
“This exclusive license grants Standard Group PLC the sole authority to transmit and broadcast EPL matches on radio in Kenya. No other radio broadcaster is permitted to air or attempt to air any English Premier League matches during this period. Any unauthorized broadcasting will be deemed a breach of our rights and shall attract immediate legal action,” the notice read.
Further, the Mombasa Road-based media house invited all EPL fans to enjoy comprehensive, live, and exclusive coverage of the matches through its stations, namely: Radio Maisha, Spice FM, and Berur FM.
Standard Group issues a warning hours before the EPL kick-off
The warning from Standard Group arrives just as anticipation builds for the start of the new English Premier League season, which is set to kick off in less than 48 hours.
Defending champions Liverpool will host AFC Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, marking the opening match of what promises to be a thrilling and competitive campaign.
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The weekend will be packed with fixtures featuring all 20 Premier League teams, setting the tone for the 2025–26 season.
This upcoming season will consist of a total of 380 matches, with each team playing 38 games—home and away—over the course of the campaign.
Among the participating clubs, three teams have been promoted from the Championship to compete in the top flight: Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland.
Leeds and Burnley return after short stints outside the Premier League, while Sunderland makes a comeback after an eight-year absence, marking a significant milestone for the club and its supporters.
The exclusive radio rights held by Standard Group are notably part of a broader and highly regulated global broadcasting framework managed by the EPL around the world
The Premier League sells its broadcasting rights—both for television and radio—through complex licensing agreements. These agreements give media companies the exclusive rights to air matches within specific regions, such as Kenya in this case.
Territorial exclusivity
Media houses that purchase these rights gain the sole authority to broadcast EPL matches in their designated markets. No other broadcaster in that region is permitted to air or rebroadcast matches without direct authorization.
In Kenya, this means that only Standard Group PLC is allowed to transmit matches on the radio throughout the 2025–26 season.
In the United Kingdom, major broadcasters have already secured deals for the 2025–2029 cycle. Sky Sports will show at least 215 live matches per season, while TNT Sports will air an additional 52 matches.
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The BBC retains rights to provide free-to-air highlights, including the long-standing Match of the Day program, which covers all 380 matches.
Financial significance and revenue distribution
Broadcasting rights generate massive revenue for the Premier League. The latest UK television deal alone is valued at £6.7 billion (approximately Ksh1.175 trillion) over four years.
Outside the UK, the league earns an estimated £3.84 billion (approximately Ksh673 billion) annually from a combination of domestic and international broadcasting agreements.
This revenue is distributed among the 20 Premier League clubs using a structured formula:
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50% of the total revenue is split equally among all clubs.
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25% is allocated based on merit, determined by each club’s final position in the league table.
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The remaining 25% is paid as facility fees, based on how often a club’s matches are broadcast live.
Additionally, income from international broadcasting rights is now shared equally among all clubs, a move aimed at ensuring financial fairness across the league regardless of club size or historical success.
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