Facing competition from free video streaming websites like ustream, justin.tv and veetle.com, Rogers Media’s Sportsnet.ca website unveiled plans Thursday to stream over 300 Barclays Premier League matches this season for a monthly or annual subscription fee.

The digital era offering aims to give local footie fans immediate access to their favorite team matches, explained Claude Galipeau, senior vice president and general manager of digital media at Rogers Media.

“What we are offering fans is a chance to watch an enormous selection of matches from the comfort and convenience of their laptop or computer,” he explained.

British soccer matches and other international TV sport offerings are found readily on the Internet on free video streaming sites with whom rights-holders play a cat-and-mouse game to curtail or put out of business.

Catching live the latest goals from Rooney, Drogba and Fabregas will cost subscribers $14.99 a month, with a free month trial, or $149.99 a year.

The Barclays online offering from Sportsnet follows rival TSN and Rogers’ cable sport channel earlier this dividing up the Canadian rights to English Premier League soccer telecasts over the next three seasons.