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#floptus fallout continues as Optus gives all group-stage FIFA World Cup matches to SBS

SBS has announced it will simulcast all the group games of the FIFA World Cup as Optus continues to deal with viewer anger over its streaming service.

The announcement will see SBS simulcasting the games until the end of the competition’s group stage on Friday 29 June while Optus customers will receive refunds for their World Cup streaming subscriptions.

SBS boss Michael Ebeid: “SBS looks forward to continuing to simulcast the games, together with Optus over the next 10 days.”

This afternoon’s move comes after Optus handed over four games earlier this week following a horror weekend for the telco which culminated in the Prime Minister calling CEO Allen Lew about its streaming problems.

Optus also announced Optus Sport subscribers for its World Cup packages will be provided a refund. This refund will also include the first three rounds of the English Premier League including matches between Arsenal and Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal and Manchester United and Tottenham.

Michael Ebeid, CEO and managing director, SBS said: “The FIFA World Cup is the absolute pinnacle of football, a sport that Australians are deeply passionate about. SBS looks forward to continuing to simulcast the games, together with Optus over the next 10 days.”

Optus CEO Allen Lew said: “As a gesture of goodwill for Australian fans, Optus will also simulcast the group matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in conjunction with SBS through the Group stages.

Lew claimed thousands of customers have continued to sign up to Optus Sport despite the widely publicised problems.

“This reaffirms that our strategy to deliver quality content to customers is the right one. I have conviction in our content strategy and Optus will not waiver from our pursuit of this strategy,” Lew said.

“We appreciate customers have given us another go and invite those to tune in for tonight’s games.”

LIVE MATCH BROADCAST SCHEDULE on SBS:

WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE

Portugal v Morocco LIVE from 9.30pm* on SBS (kick-off 10pm*)

THURSDAY 21 JUNE

Uruguay v Saudi Arabia LIVE from 12.30am* on SBS (kick-off 1am*) NEW

IR Iran v Spain LIVE from 3.30am* on SBS (kick-off 4am*) NEW

Denmark v Australia LIVE from 9.30pm* on SBS (kick-off 10pm*)

FRIDAY 22 JUNE

France v Peru LIVE from 12.30am* on SBS (kick-off 1am*) NEW

Argentina v Croatia LIVE from 3.30am* on SBS (kick-off 4am*) NEW

Brazil v Costa Rica LIVE from 9.30pm* on SBS (kick-off 10pm*)

SATURDAY 23 JUNE

Nigeria v Iceland LIVE from 12.30am* on SBS (kick-off 1am*) NEW

Serbia v Switzerland LIVE from 3.30am* on SBS (kick-off 4am*) NEW

Belgium v Tunisia LIVE from 9.30pm* on SBS (kick-off 10pm*)

SUNDAY 24 JUNE

Korea Republic v Mexico LIVE from 12.30am* on SBS (kick-off 1am*) NEW

Germany v Sweden LIVE from 3.30am* on SBS (kick-off 4am*)

England v Panama LIVE from 9.30pm* on SBS (kick-off 10pm*)

MONDAY 25 JUNE – previously unconfirmed

Japan v Senegal LIVE from 12.30am* on SBS (kick-off 1am*) NEW

Poland v Colombia LIVE from 3.30am* on SBS (kick-off 4am*) NEW

Uruguay v Russia LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am Tuesday*) Channel TBC

Saudi Arabia v Egypt LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am Tuesday*) Channel TBC

TUESDAY 26 JUNE

Spain v Morocco LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

IR Iran v Portugal LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

Australia v Peru LIVE from 11pm* on SBS (kick-off 12am Wed*)

Denmark v France LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am Wed*) Channel TBC NEW

WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE – previously unconfirmed

Nigeria v Argentina LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

Iceland v Croatia LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

Korea Republic v Germany LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am*) Channel TBC NEW

Mexico v Sweden LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am*) Channel TBC NEW

THURSDAY 28 JUNE – previously unconfirmed

Serbia v Brazil LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

Switzerland v Costa Rica LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

Japan v Poland LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am*) Channel TBC NEW

Senegal v Colombia LIVE from 11.30pm* (kick-off 12am*) Channel TBC NEW

FRIDAY 29 JUNE – previously unconfirmed

Panama v Tunisia LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

England v Belgium LIVE from 3.30am* (kick-off 4am*) Channel TBC NEW

SBS’ existing 2018 FIFA World Cup programming schedule including FIFA World Cup Today highlights show at 5.30pm* daily and the SBS Match of the Day replay at 6.30am* daily will remain in place.

*All times in AEST and subject to change

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