Cable Forum - General ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news

I agree that BT are quite good on their on demand service (level pegging with VM) but BT's linear channel offering is well short of their main rivals. If this was compensated for by a much better on demand offering, this would make up for it, but they have much to do to rectify this.

muppetman11

04-04-2014 10:38

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35685999)

Did you read the report ? How have you come to the conclusion of level pegging ?

OLD BOY

04-04-2014 10:50

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35686007)

Did you read the report ? How have you come to the conclusion of level pegging ?

Sorry, I misread that. Nevertheless, the report does say that the BT offering is 'followed closely' by VM. Therefore, this doesn't take away my point that the on demand offering by BT is insufficient to make up for its poor linear channel line-up.

1andrew1

04-04-2014 11:05

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35685983)

I agree that BT does not necessarily have to invest in its own channels, but I would be surprised if they did not do this with time. However, they do need to improve their channel/on demand offering to be in the same league as their main rivals.

Regarding the point that TV is secondary, I think you have to bear in mind that all the major players have three or four packages on offer, and it's cheaper for consumers to buy into services this way. Why transfer from Sky or Virgin to get BT's broadband if they have an inferior TV offering?

For this reason, I think that BT's TV service is in need of some attention if they want to increase the number of broadband customers.

I agree with your first paragraph, indeed this is the point that others and I have all been making. Regarding why would anyone move from Sky broadband to BT broadband, simples: BT Sport.

OLD BOY

04-04-2014 11:08

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

Interesting article here from the Telegraph. Looks like the Sky Sports/BT battle is going to get interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/m...spotlight.html

Both the biggest riser and the heaviest faller in London’s benchmark index were driven by analysts, who spurred notable moves by advising that investors steer clear of British Sky Broadcasting, and snap up shares in Tullow Oil.

On BSkyB, the message from the experts at HSBC was decidedly negative: There is pain in store for shareholders when the company goes head to head with rival BT Group, 1.7 cheaper at 381.6p, in the next auction for Premier League football rights.

Bidding for the three seasons, beginning with the 2016-17 campaign, is expected to start within the next 12 months and the rivalry between the two companies is likely to be ferocious.

But despite the threat, BSkyB shares have risen briskly since the start of the year, suggesting “that the company’s efforts to move investor’s focus on from concerns surrounding the competition for Premier League football rights has been successful,” the HSBC analysts said.

Nevertheless, that is likely to change as attention will soon “return to the risks of a further step-up in competitive intensity”.

The analysts expect one of two damaging outcomes from the forthcoming bidding. The first is that, while the status quo is unchanged and the “split of games is broadly similar”, there is “significant cost inflation” of about 35pc.

“This would become problematic for BSkyB if the inflation in the rights cost is high such that it is difficult to pass on to its sports subscribers.”

The second possibility is that BT succeeds in securing more rights, which would hit BSkyB’s football coverage and in turn the size of its subscriber base.

Worries about both possible outcomes are likely to return and weigh on BSkyB’s shares, the analysts warned clients, sending the broadcaster down 26½ to 892½p, a 2.9pc fall.

A similarly downbeat note from Oriel Securities didn’t help the broadcaster either, with analyst John Karidis arguing that, despite recent speculation, Vodafone is unlikely to buy BSkyB.

denphone

04-04-2014 11:16

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

The great Behemoth finally meets his match and the end result will inevitably be higher prices for consumers methinks.

1andrew1

04-04-2014 11:30

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35686028)

The great Behemoth finally meets his match and the end result will inevitably be higher prices for consumers methinks.

The article makes an interesting point on price rises "“This would become problematic for BSkyB if the inflation in the rights cost is high such that it is difficult to pass on to its sports subscribers.”

denphone

04-04-2014 11:46

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

Yes l saw that Andrew and l personally think whether the rights costs are high or not that customers will be faced with price rises if they want to subscribe to premium channels and then there is the added problem possibly when Virgins deal with BT Sports runs out is what will happen then.

OLD BOY

04-04-2014 11:49

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35686020)

I agree with your first paragraph, indeed this is the point that others and I have all been making. Regarding why would anyone move from Sky broadband to BT broadband, simples: BT Sport.

Not everyone is interested in sport and so adding additional general entertainment to the line up will help BT considerably in my opinion.

However, if BT succeed in getting more football rights with the next bidding process, this will surely be a major boost for them.

1andrew1

04-04-2014 12:01

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35686038)

If Sky Sports thought it could charge more for its channels then it would do so now and not wait another year. I think Sky Sports has maximised its revenue here and is now trying to sell them to other people via Vodafone and Now TV.
I think it's too early to worry about the VM deal with BT Sport, I think we first need to know who wins what in the next Premiership rights auction to see how the various sports channels stack up. I doubt BeIn or EuroSport will be in the running but stranger things have been known to happen!

denphone

04-04-2014 12:07

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

Personally l think unless a big outsider comes in l think the Premiership rights will be split right down the middle with regards to the next auction.

1andrew1

04-04-2014 12:19

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35686044)

Personally l think unless a big outsider comes in l think the Premiership rights will be split right down the middle with regards to the next auction.

Very, very few people have time to watch every match that BT and Sky show so there is an argument that there would be no need to get both and BT Sport-Sky Sports rivalry would hold prices down. But until we know what packages are up for grabs and the bidders it's very early days!

denphone

04-04-2014 12:32

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

l cannot see the prices staying even at he same level as they are now because if you look at any other market the general view is prices keep on going up and l see that as a trend which is highly likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

As for need not to subscribe to both channels the problem there is many of the most supported sides feature on both channels and thus many will subscribe to both.

greeninferno

04-04-2014 12:47

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35686044)

Personally l think unless a big outsider comes in l think the Premiership rights will be split right down the middle with regards to the next auction.

Surely Sky can't let that happen?

BT already has the Champions League and Europa League matches after this current contract runs out , add in the FC cup and a 50/50 split -assuming the quality of the matches on each broadcaster was the same - leaves Sky looking like dreadful value for the money they charge.

OLD BOY

04-04-2014 13:11

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by greeninferno (Post 35686054)

Sky are responsible for pushing up the cost of obtaining football rights in the first place, so I have no sympathy with Sky on that matter. They have overplayed their hand and very soon, they will have nowhere to go. What goes around comes around.

I really think that they will be thinking about collaboration with other companies now. It's the only thing that stacks up and this is what will lead to lower prices in the future.

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:29.

Page 295 of 796

295

Show 100 post(s) from this thread on one page