Update 8.30pm
Malta's consumer watchdog has opened an investigation into GO's delayed screenings of UK Premier League matches, following widespread complaints from fans about matches not being screened live.
Unlike last season, premium subscribers will only be able to watch one live match at 4pm, with the rest of the games in that time slot delayed to 6.15pm.
The decision led to a barrage of complaints from subscribers who were caught by surprise on the eve of a new season.
A GO spokesman insisted the decision was not theirs and attributed it to a policy adopted by the English Premier League.
“After the European Court of Justice’s decision in the QC Leisure case, the Premier League is implementing a policy whereby all markets in the European Economic Area are aligned in terms of broadcast rights, and Malta is no exception to this position,” he said.
This was being done to stem the proliferation of pirated transmissions of the Premier League across Europe, he added.
“Apart from being an illegal activity, pirated transmissions divert funds away from the game.”
The MCCAA's Office for Consumer Affairs has now said it is investigating the matter, and it has turned to the UK Premier League to verify GO's claims.
"Once in receipt of feedback, the Office for Consumer Affairs will take the necessary steps accordingly," a statement issued by the watchdog said.
GO purchased the full live package comprising all 380 English Premier League matches, with a minimum of 200 that will be transmitted live. The remaining matches will be broadcast with a two-hour delay
Matches today featuring Leicester City (1.30pm), Tottenham (4pm) and Manchester City (6.30pm) were screened live. However, four other matches at 4pm were delayed.
GO purchased the full live package of English Premier League matches, which was offered to all markets in the EEA, the spokesman said. The package comprises all 380 Premier League matches, with a minimum of 200 that will be transmitted live. The remaining matches will be broadcast with a two-hour delay.
The spokesman said the live fixtures included 168 core matches of the Premier League as broadcast by major UK channels Sky and BT. “A further 32 matches will be selected by GO to meet the expectations of GO’s subscribers.”
GO will also be broadcasting all FA Cup matches live for the next two seasons.
Asked whether similar changes were being implemented for the Italian Serie A games, the spokesman said that everything would remain as it was last season.
This means that between seven and 10 live matches per weekend from Italy’s top league will be broadcast. However, the explanation also came with a warning to football enthusiasts, who on Facebook urged GO subscribers to ditch the service and buy an IPTV (internet television) subscription instead.
IPTV is an internet-based television service.
The spokesman said that GO was the exclusive holder of Premier League broadcast rights in the Maltese territory.
Apart from GO, the Premier League had not released broadcast content in English for any market in Europe outside the UK.
“Anyone watching Premier League matches in Malta with English commentary that is not being aired by GO live is definitely watching an illegal transmission,” the spokesman said.