Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

That's great if fans have boycotted the ppv games and donated to charity instead. Love to know the viewing figures for the games so far but have a feeling they won't be released.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I don't think they will be released (unless they are a lot better than we think)

There is an article in the Telegraph sport section today that analyses the PPV games - correspondent says the presentation was nothing like as good as a normal sky/BT game , hardly any lead in, short banal interviews with managers pre-match and 2 non-entities doing the commentary and half/full time punditry.

Not getting much for your £15.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I wonder if they are using the Premier League one that they make available in English and it's picked up by some other worldwide rights holders. Others, like Bein Sports go for a 1990s nostalgia feel with Keys and Gray.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I dunno, and am not paying to find out.

Described as very sub-standard which is poor when you consider the excuse for charging more than EFL clubs was supposed better presentation.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Unbelievable just added Sky Sports to my package and all the Villa games in the short term are box office.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

From reading the DS thread I don’t even think they are using that!

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

i would imagine they'll offer a "monthly ticket" soon to try and get more people buying it. i remember the last time they did ppv games and it got like that in the end. think it was 50 quid a season in the end for like 30 games or something. That was after Ofcom got involved to make sky give up its monopoly of rights...only for them to end up on ppv if i remember correctly?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Prem plus spring to mind with theses Ppv games

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Yes, you are correct - £50pa - I subscribed because it was a reasonable price (unlike the current PPV offering)

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

it was at the time!

"After six seasons on air it closed down at the end of the 2006–07 season, when EU competition laws forced Sky to break its monopoly on the Premier League, having broadcast 270 matches live and exclusive from the Premier League"

I'm fairly sure it was ofcom which did this? So it went from 50 quid a season to an extra 20 quid a month for all the games!

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

They did offer games at £8 each, but I have no idea how utilised this option was. The £50 - or £25 at Christmas - presented better value.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

It could be the first move towards club-based season tickets, which I'd be interested in if it was reasonably priced. On Sky and BT I tend to watch the Sunday afternoon PL 4.30 kick off whoever's playing as it's normally a weekend's biggest match but otherwise I only watch my team and catch up with other matches on MOTD.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Looking at guides for football games on TV this week I see there is a load of Europa League games under 'BT Sport Digital Exclusive'. I assume it's through their website / app and there will be no option for Virgin viewers to watch?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I think its another way of saying 'red button'

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

https://www.live-footballontv.com/

All the BT Extra games are on the Red Button on BT, Virgin and Sky.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Yes it was £50pa if you paid up front before start of season. I'm not sure where your £20pm comes from unless that was the monthly charge at the time for those who didn't want to commit up front.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I think he’s approximating the cost of BT Sport where the non-Sky Sports games ended up. Of course it’s “free” to whatever they call TV XL these days, but for BT, Sky and Virgin customers below this tier there is additional cost.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Any sign of Boxnation be added to TV GO?

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------

Being?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I see the Sky Liverpool v Sheffield Utd PPV game is being replayed in full overnight, it's a disgrace BT cannot do similar or even put a highlights package on of their PPV games.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

While I understand the concerns people have expressed that PPV may replace subscription TV, I do think this has been over-hyped. The matches that are PPV would not have been accessed at all without it, so there is no problem there. If you don’t want to watch PPV matches, then simply don’t watch them. This is a temporary, not a permanent arrangement.

I can’t see Sky and BT replacing PPV to replace their subscription packages. The increased cost will simply mean that they get fewer participants. PPV only works where individuals want a one-off experience. It does not work for a whole season of football.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

As a non-football fan by your own admission I'm uncertain if you are the right person to opine on this as someone completely unaffected both in the short and long term of PPV football.

Sky and BT don't need to replace their subscription models with this - the Premier League could do this for them. While nobody expects a 'whole season' to end up being £15 a go, because that's simply ridiculous, but it only takes a handful of key games - the must see games - to make the situation for the end users - the actual football fans.

Boxing PPV started out around one per year then suddenly accelerated as providers realised this was a way to gouge fans of more money for the more attractive bouts. Now we have six in the space of two months totalling £110.

Beware the unanticipated outcomes of 'extra games' being make available in the innocuous manner that you describe.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I hope you're right because I wouldn't like a situation where you have to pay a single fee for each Premier league games or the best games were on ppv. I like to watch as many games as I can regardless of who's playing. Would of liked to of watched the Liverpool v Sheffield United match but not paying £14.95 Will instead record the re run later on Main Event

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Totally agree with the above, it's the thin edge of the wedge imo.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

The actual football fan is getting a discount - £15 for a match they would have paid £40+ to go and see if the stadium was open.

The only people complaining are those who were never going to see the game in the first place - and now have a chance to at £15.

The real "bad guys" in this are those on the field taking massive wages for little more than three hours work a week - on a busy week.

Maybe it is them that should be giving something back to the fans?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Ah the old ‘actual fans go to games’ chestnut. I think you’ll find with TV revenue dwarfing ticket revenue (sometimes even including the prawn sandwich brigade up in hospitality) that TV viewers bring more to the table financially.

I’m all for a tax system that makes the super wealthy pay more but I fail to see why footballers get singled out over TV/movie stars, bankers and FTSE 100 CEOs.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

No Premier League player works just three hours a week - they've a full week of training to be able to play at that level.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

If all actual football fans tried to get into games (covid permitted) the grounds would not be big enough in most cases.

Those complaining are not just people who don't go to games.

Agree that the players are overpaid.

One of the main complaints is that all of a sudden extra games (that wouldn't have been televised in UK) are made available for £14.95 a game when previously they had been FREE.

One of the big bargaining chips the EPL agreed to in order to get the season re-started was that all games would be broadcast as crowds were not permitted.

It is interesting that both Sky & BT are refusing to publish the number of subscriptions for each match - they should be made to do so!

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

What would the acceptable alternative to PPV be? A fairer option - although imperfect - would have been to make them available via an additional pro-rata monthly fee to BT and Sky customers. But the Premier League just wants to test the public's appetite for PPV Premier League matches under the guise of Covid.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

The concern for the most of us is that all the best games will go ppv in the future if this were to prove successful. The other thing is these extra games were previously being offered at no extra cost but are now being charged for.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Absolutely agree with you on the fear of having those games as PPV and why they should be boycotted. Would love for the extra games to be free but I can't see that happening in a month of Sundays. Just asking what an acceptable alternative to PPV is.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I don't think they ever reveal subscription figures.

As the product belongs to EPL - only they could release viewing figures.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I don't think there is a fair alternative to be honest. What I still can't work out though is as all Premier League games are recorded and Sky offer them via their match choice thing, why do Sky say the £14.95 fee is to cover their costs? What extra costs do they have? A commentator? Already have that. Recording the game? Already do that too! Not sure if the same can be said of BT though but still Sky shouldn't be charging anything.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Presumably there's some kind of revenue-sharing deal on the PPV games between BT/Sky and the Premier League.
Maybe Sky have made some kind of arrangement with the Premier League to show these matches on delay and BT haven't done so yet, perhaps waiting to see how Sky gets on.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

That would be my assumption but still wonder why Sky say the fee is to cover their costs?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Probably to emphasise that it's not all going into their pockets. Fans might assume that as there was no bidding for these extra matches, Sky are getting them free.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

It's definitely in the interest of Sky/BT to downplay the amounts they are making from this given they know the unpopularity it will have among their subscribers - some of whom will already be forking out 4 figures a year for a range of services.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

According to the Daily Mail Sky are reportedly saying they are very unhappy about PPV as it damages their reputation. My question to them then would be why are you doing them then?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Rock and a hard place. Government pressure on the league for every game to be available. The League under pressure from clubs to extract revenue in the absence of crowds.

Sky want to be in the tent when the ultimate solution is found, rather than have it slip to a third party who might see an opportunity to build a relationship for the next round of rights.

Sky can gain some useful data about the demand for PPV football without using any of it’s own rights to do so.

Essentially I think a solution has to be found that makes every game available but considers a) club season ticket holders, b) Sky Sports subscribers and the broadcasters position, c) BT Sports subscribers and the broadcasters position.

Something like £20 a month to Sky Sports or BT Sports subscribers for all the ‘additional’ games, £30 a month (half of the present ‘one game per week’ cost) for everyone else. Individual games £10 each. For those that point out that’s poor value for the individual match purchase that’s the point :).

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

According to the Mirror neither BT or SKY are making any money from these games other than their production costs. Would explain why the presentation of these games are short and sweet without all the usual glitz and showmanship.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mir...e-22901105.amp

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Probably because they don't want the likes of Amazon Prime (other streamers are available) muscling in.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

- Premier League considering reducing price of PPV matches to under £10
- One match got fewer than 1,000 views.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/s...ches-56ghptkwq (subscription)

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

They obviously have very much misread the mood of football supporters.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

They need to come up with a way to make all the matches available. The average viewer isn’t likely to buy even one per week at £10. Probably closer to one per month, if even that.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Even at £10 I would still refuse to pay it. It's just not on on my opinion.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

It looks like football fans may get their way with PPV, although this might take away the ability to watch these matches altogether until the stadiums open up again.

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020...-cause-u-turn/

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Notably the article at no point states the games won’t be televised. It states PPV would be scrapped.

What we have actually learned is that they want/need approx 175,000 subscribers. £2.6m a week for the 28 or so for matchdays not already not fully covered by BT/Amazon.

So if Sky/BT can come up with an amicable split and £73m they are back in the game.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I know. That’s why I said it ‘may’ take away the ability to watch these matches on TV.

However, whilst there are other solutions that we can both think of, it is quite possible that an alternative may not be provided.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

For the loose change it is to Sky/BT I can’t see the league upsetting their customers.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I think they already have!

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

They can reconcile the situation :)

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

What is the point in posting a link to an article that wants me to subscribe to read it?

As bad as PPV itself!

Having read an alternative article, it appears Sky/BT are happy to see the fee reduced or scrapped altogether.

A meeting of EPL clubs (presumably by zoom) today is likely to discuss options.

Ashley (Newcastle) suggests £4.95 per game others £9.95 per game.

Apparently, when the £14.95 was set it was that or games not on TV.

---------- Post added at 16:58 ---------- Previous post was at 16:53 ----------


Why would Sky/BT pay more? Judging by what happened at end of 19/20 season they will be looking for refunds as the customer experience is not what they contracted for.

I would have thought the only way to avoid refunds would be to split the games between BT/Sky and have them free to the customer.

Of course, what clubs really want is fans back in stadia (even 30% capacity would be a start), many have already done planning how this can be achieved safely.

Perhaps EPL should say they won't entertain bailing out the other league clubs until they see progress in getting fans back.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I’m not sure Sky/BT can reasonably argue it’s not the customer experience they are paying for.

My thought process is that the £80m is tiny compared to the billions they are paying for the 220 ordinarily televised games. I definitely think it creates a better value offering all round to have all games televised.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

That was the only article at the time and people always want evidence when posting such information. I don't subscribe to The Times but the snippet told me enough.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

But you mentioned 1 game attracted less than 1000 purchases, but no mention of that in the snippet.

---------- Post added at 21:02 ---------- Previous post was at 21:00 ----------

Of course they can, that is exactly what they did for the end of last season and received refunds.

They contracted to show games with crowds not empty cavernous stadia which is what they argued.

I agree it is not EPL fault but they gave refunds nonetheless.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

The article has been updated since I quoted the free part, presumably pushing that crucial bit about the viewing figures behind the pay wall.

The update includes "A meeting of the 20 clubs today decided to stick with £14.95 for the next two rounds of matches but agreed to review the PPV price for games after the international break, with a decision to be taken on November 5."

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Did they get refunds because of no crowds or because about 30 games ended up free to air, the compressed schedule and games not fitting into their natural timeslots?

Sky/BT ultimately pay billions to extract revenue from games over a nine to ten month period, not have to suspend subscriptions for four months and squeeze the rest of the season into five weeks.

I’d be surprised if crowds were even mentioned in the contracts.

I agree that the viewing spectacle has dropped I just doubt it’s a contractual obligation. The get out would be force majeure but Sky/BT wouldn’t take that risk in my view. The League would probably go to Amazon.



---------- Post added at 21:34 ---------- Previous post was at 21:30 ----------

£20 a month for every additional game easily gets the 500k subscribers to beat the numbers they proposed for £14.95 a game.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I bet Amazon would quite happily step in to purchase all the extra games and then offer them free or more realistically an add on for something daft like £7.99 or £9.99 a month

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Cannot seem to be able to book the Chisora PPV fight; you go to the booking page but its not listed - looks like the list hasn't been updated since the weekend...

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

They would, but Sky/BT bid for 200 odd games in the belief they’d be the only ones televised. To that end selling the rest to a third party would be breach of contract which is why anything agreed has to satisfy Sky/BT.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

First observation is that it's recording 'viewers' not subscribers. But those are disappointing figures really.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

DAZN going to try that big global expansion again in December - https://deadline.com/2020/10/dazn-gl...ua-1234602714/

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

An admirable dice roll for the fledgeling DAZN.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

It is listing in SD and HD on my TiVo.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

These are guesstimates - not subscription figures.

Come on EPL you know the exact amount of £14.95s paid let people know or are you too embarrassed?

---------- Post added at 16:33 ---------- Previous post was at 16:28 ----------



Indeed, Sky/BT would not get a refund for showing the extra games (some of which were foc on sky). They negotiated a refund based on the fact the product was inferior to that they contracted to. If it hadn't re-started they would have had an even bigger refund.

I presume they are getting some sort of compensation from EPL for this season as well, again EPL are silent on this.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

A bit more information on DAZN here.

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020...d-price-point/

[EXTRACT]


The sports streamer said that initial monthly price point for new markets will be the equivalent of £1.99 or less.

At launch, DAZN’s global platform will feature world championship boxing events, as well as an archive of classic fights, athlete features and a slate of original programming including 40 Days, Saturday Fight Live and One Night. Additional sports and programming will be added beginning in 2021, the streamer said.

The DAZN app will be available globally on most internet-connected devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, and living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I’m sure customers will look forward to their ‘bait and switch’ ruse they deployed in the American market of upping the price from $9.99 to $19.99.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Not mine, still showing last weeks PPV football WWE etc - I have manually updated my V6 & TiVo but still no update - London area

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Yes, well you’d expect a price rise when they land some football rights! :bump:

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

VM updated info - boxing is now there :)

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Well, it looks like DAZN is launching on 1st December in the UK focusing exclusively on boxing at £1.99 per month.
Click on "How much does DAZN cost?" at https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/l/sports/

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

No Joshua fight though in the UK.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Haven't we been here before with a boxing channel.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

:Yes:

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Point of order gentlemen Boxnation still exists as part of BT Sports and Premier Sports. There might just be nothing on :)

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Even with lockdown, there's been more live fights in my local than on BoxNation this year. :D

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...mpression=true

Premier League abandon their disastrous PPV proposals and are discussing with broadcasters what to do next.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Not surprising given the dismal PPV figures and the backlash from supporters.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Agreed. Not worth upsetting their customers (fans and Sky/BT who didn't like it either) for something that makes loose change in real terms.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

This weekends matches are still PPV - people need to hold their resolve and refuse to subscribe to knock another nail in the PPV coffin

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Totally stupid idea but I wouldn't class it as dismal for the. Average of 40K for each match (granted some were less) at £14.99 a time makes around £600k per game - drop in the ocean against the TV rights packages but a reasonable sum.

If BT and Sky were complaining that it only just covers their costs...who was paying for recording of all the PL matches before? The PL themselves?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Every game has been recorded and broadcast for over a decade for international television with English language commentary packaged by the league. The costs to Sky/BT are probably minimal, but we don't know who is getting what cut from the games.

Sky/BT will be making minuscule amounts but equally be associated with reputational damage from being involved in this farce.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

BT and Sky are only taking costs - the EPL get the rest.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Good news for the DAZN balance sheet is that they've removed about $300m of liabilities as the biggest draw in boxing has been released from his contract.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Sky Sports make Scotland and Northern Ireland Euro 2020 play-off finals available free-to-air.

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...le-free-to-air

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I wonder if DAZN are launching on Sky as there is a channel called Sportystuff testing in HD on Sky at the moment

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Sky Sports has announced that it will make this Saturday's Fight Night boxing - including undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor's defence against Miriam Gutierrez - available to all via multiple digital platforms.

https://www.skysports.com/boxing/new...-skysports-com

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

More tough luck for DAZN. The fight they planned to show as part of their big UK launch has been called off after Luke Campbell tested positive for Covid.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/54894871

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I think that might be the Amazon Prime channel.

HTTPS://WWW.MORNINGADVERTISER.CO.UK/...IONS-CUP-RUGBY

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Don't pubs have broadband? Fire sticks?

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Premier League discontinues pay-per-view model

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...per-view-model

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

It was doomed from the start..

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Congrats to the football fans who stood firm on not paying.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Agree.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Same story but the BBC published a list of what games will be shown on what channels. SKY only confirmed the games they will be showing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54932314

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Which are the vast majority which is good to see..

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

One on BBC and one on prime in November.

The article I saw said Ppv is off the table until at least the new year.

So a victory but seems they are keeping their options open.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

I do think they will revisit extracting revenue from these 'additional' games but we're unlikely to see £15 a game and I doubt PPV. I think there will be a subscription model potentially.

Depending on vaccine/rollout and likelihood of games having crowds next season they might just abandon options for this season and just go with the flow. If it looks like no crowds into next season they would probably start evaluating options.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

Quite entertained at reading the analysis on another forum where people are absolutely perplexed at the near-zero value of these rights. Considering the amount of time they spend debating football commentators I'd like to that at least a couple of them would have worked it out.

There's 380 games out there of varying value. The highest value, rather obviously, being the biggest games between the biggest teams. This is on a sliding scale for broadcasters - hence those packages with 'first picks' sell for more than those with 'second picks' and so forth. There is however the quota system - this does mean that the best game of a weekend could in theory at least come out as a 'second pick' etc. It also means that an attractive game could, be turned down by both broadcasters albeit it's unlikely.

To the casual supporter Sky were the only place you could watch more than one game per week. Now BT get a couple of games per week in the new setup, which is undesirable for Sky. There's now free to air games and games Amazon are making available, again satisfying the interest of the passive viewer.

The reality is that introducing the 201st-380th ranking games have extremely low value and serve only to dilute the offering of Sky/BT who are paying top dollar for their share. Selling all 380 games would be unlikely to get significantly greater revenue than the present offering (or else, they're capitalists - they'd have done it by now!).

Leagues where every game is broadcast tend towards a 1st pick/2nd pick/rest model or have an exclusive broadcaster.

Re: ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news
 

EPL was prevented from having an exclusive broadcaster (by EU I believe) some time ago, in the interest of competition - since then the rights have spiralled out of control.

As for a top match not being broadcast - this could happen when 2 unfancied sides are near the top of the league, because the matches are selected some time in advance.

---------- Post added at 12:54 ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 ----------

Just watching the Italy v Scotland match on Prime.

A couple of observations

1) the picture quality is not HD
2) the action doesn't flow as it would naturally - by this I mean it looks phrenetic - similar to when I have watched BT football streamed through a lap top onto a TV.

If streaming is the future it has to improve in quality.