Source: REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
[Saba Sports News] According to a research report from the U.S. think tank Stimson Center, North Korea began broadcasting this season’s Premier League matches in January of this year. However, unlike other countries, North Korea imposes various restrictions on the broadcast. Reportedly, the Premier League matches broadcast in North Korea are typically edited down to 60 minutes, with any English text replaced by Korean, and other icons obscured by mosaics. North Korean Central Television started broadcasting this season’s Premier League on January 13, but the match aired was from 159 days prior — Liverpool vs. Ipswich Town on August 16, 2024. The second match aired two days later was also from August 2024, and such occurrences are not uncommon. Notably, North Korea has never broadcast matches involving Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, or Wolverhampton, as these teams have South Korean players. While North Korean citizens risk severe penalties for watching foreign films, currently, viewing Premier League matches does not result in any punishment. Manchester United and Liverpool are thriving in this previously untapped market, becoming the most popular Premier League clubs.