North Korea will broadcast Premier League matches with heavy edits. Games will be delayed 150 days and shortened from 90 to 60 minutes.
North Korea has announced that it will air selected Premier League matches to the public under strict government supervision. The broadcasts, confirmed by state media, will feature heavy edits to ensure content aligns with the regime’s ideological standards.
Matches will not be shown live. Instead, they will be delayed by 150 days. Each game will be trimmed from the standard 90 minutes to just 60. The edits will remove halftime coverage, certain plays, and any content deemed inappropriate or politically sensitive.
Footage of South Korean stars like Son Heung-min, Kim Ji-soo, and Hwang Hee-chan will be erased or digitally altered due to inter-Korean tensions. Any LGBTQ+ symbols, sponsor logos deemed capitalist, or content against the regime’s morals will also be removed.
The broadcasts reflect Kim Jong-un’s personal interest in the Premier League. Reports indicate he has hosted private viewings and follows English football closely. The state’s decision aims to provide citizens with access to international football while controlling what they see.
The move has drawn attention internationally. Critics call it “propaganda football,” while South Korean fans mock the edits online. Premier League officials remain tight-lipped, but concerns about copyright violations and unpaid royalties persist. For North Koreans, however, the broadcasts provide a rare glimpse of foreign sports.
