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

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Hooray for MB as well!

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

Excellent news. I said In all my previous posts about this that I was 100% confident it would happen.
But I must say I'm gobsmacked its on XL at no extra cost and in HD which suits me fine and dandy. I was expecting to pay at least £12 per month extra.

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

:D SO happy this is in the XL package!

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

Drinks on Mr Stokes methinks.:beer::beer::beer:

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

He has to eat his hat first:D:D

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

This is excellent news! Now I won't be missing college football. Great stuff!

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

Great news and bonus kudos to VM for saying BT Sport is included in TVXL at no extra cost rather than saying it's free as they sometimes do.

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

Excellent news, good work and thanks VM. What are all you doubters thinking now? Patience paid off.

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

But do we know how much coverage of College Football there will be?

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

Woohoo. I've cancelled my VM cancellation and cancelled the Sky install! I'm staying put!

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

:D There may be a few of these this week I guess.

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

At last somebody with some taste on here. Couldn't give a toss about the Premiership - over paid wasters, playing for cities they have no connection with and supported by mugs that have no connection with the clubs either. Its these deals that perpetuate the waste of money. Oh for the 1970's and 80's muddy pitches and people kicking the hell out of each other and getting -mod edit- afterwards - that was entertainment.

If they can get some Test Match cricket that would be perfect. They've got plenty of hours to fill. Even better live netball - anything could happen...

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

It's the French rugby I'm most happy about. Awesome stuffm - starts tomorrow!!. That and the MLB...with the Giants playing tonight and Red Sox v Yankees, this is the best news I've had in ages.

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

Yes Cricket is always a good excuse for a snooze, it's the only game you can have a whole nights sleep and unfortunately it's still not over when you wake up

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

:shocked::D

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

I am still here, and l for one am totally happy and didn't think it would happen - l have several pink elephtants in my garden.

I am delighted and l apologise to VM for all the aggro l gave them - now where is Atlantic - only joking.

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

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

Beach volleyball :)

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

I'm happy we got it

Ps liverpool 2 beat stoke on Saturday

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

We don't know as yet, however this was a reply BT Sport sent to someone on the NFLUK forum who asked that question:

Thank you for contacting us.

The new ESPN channel will continue the same level of great coverage as ESPN America with regards to college football. ESPN within the BT portfolio of channels will be free for all customers who have BT Broadband.
I hope this has helped.

Best Wishes

BT Sport Content.

I guess we'll just wait and see.

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

Now you're talking, in glorious HD too........:D:D

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

Thanks for that I have been on NFLUK but had seen that. All we need now is official confirmation of where SNF and MNF will be shown this year. Channel 4 is likely where SNF will be shown. MNF is still in the air AFAIK.

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

No wonderBT Sports customers are unhappy with the service, l spoke with VM and apologised for complaining and asked about the BT Sport logo, which is at the bottom right hand corner.They advised me to call BT Sport, which l did.

I was on the phone for 45 minutes and kept getting an answering machine cutting in and cutting off my call.

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

They knew it was you Arthur.......:D:p:

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

Very funny.

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

You rang BT for 45 minutes about the DOG?

Jesus wept.

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

To be fair, a dog at the bottom when you're watching the footie is a pain! I remember Sky doing it for a couple of matches at the start of the season a couple of years ago, it was in the bottom left. They soon changed it back!

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

I nearly did the same, but couldn't bring myself to go to the dark side! So stayed with VM. Really happy I did :)

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

Really glad we got the BT channels, but on a serious note is there a link to a BT site where they are taking feedback over the broadcast and presentation of their new channels?
That dog is going to cause bad ir on my top of the range panny plasma, no other major sports or movie broadcaster has a solid bold dog like that one.
P.s. hadn't read Arthur's post before I wrote this one, I won't be on the phone for 45 mins but it is a serious concern, even ESPN is opaque.

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

Pleased to see you are now happy, Arthur. We did try telling you to be patient! ;)

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

So what happens in 12 months time when we continue getting HD free and Sky customers have to pay £3 for it? :D

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

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

Has anyone else seen BT's "look how great BT is since 1846" film on BT Sports? Gee whizz.

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

It is probably only a matter of time before Sky and BT relent and provide HD as standard. I think it is a bit of a cheek to charge extra for HD, personally!

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

l am not sure they will relent OB because at the moment relations are not that cordial between them.

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

Well I am happy they did the deal and don't mind it taking longer now I am getting it free.

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

And won't be for some time, I guess! Glad to see there seem to be better relations between Sky and VM. I will soften my attitude towards Sky when we finally get Sky Atlantic and the HD channels that they appear to be denying us! Happy to bury the hatchet if the relationship is not so one sided.

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

Strangely the logo on BT Sports 2 is currently in the top right hand corner but BT Sports 1 is still in the bottom right hand corner?

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

hope they move the BT sports 1 logo to top as well much better at top

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

My god the Clare Balding show is a yawn! I hope it get better as it is 1 1/2 hours long!

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

So now as per the original topic:

1) ESPN - retained in XL and HD
2) BT - acquired in XL and HD
3) Eurosport - 1&2 in HD and XL
4) Premier sport - no (can they continue with likes of BT?)
5) sky sports news - only SD but rumoured HD soon

3 down two possibly one to go depending on how you look at it :)

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

Still need Sky Sports F1 HD

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

Agreed.

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

The hd quality on bt sports is one of the best I have ever seen;)

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

Got to agree with you there Howard,excellent!!:)

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

yes got to totally agree there Howard mate

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

The HD quality is excellent. Much better than Sky Sports.

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

:LOL::nono::)

---------- Post added at 21:39 ---------- Previous post was at 21:33 ----------

Spot on, the cricket is looking top notch. Looking forward to seeing Gayle bash a few soon too:)

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

Fully agree if there football coverage is this good I will be very happy

:)

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

It was so painful to watch I had to switch over!

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

Haha! I am watching Life's a Pitch and the presenter is a fool! Also the comedy was cringeworthy! However the discussion is very interesting so going to keep watching!

On a side note, it seems Sky users really got screwed as BT Sports does not work with multi room! :eeek:

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Prog...1243556#M21562

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

Gotta say, I preferred the old first division to the premier league currently. Just my personal preference, but I know many love the PL is it's current form.

I would love for BT to get some test cricket, perhaps they can team up with a FTA provider - ideally BBC. Imagine TMS commentating in-sync with live pictures - (or even VM) and take Sky on over the cricket. Alas I can not see that happening. Sky Sports sister channels all over the world hold the rights to too many national countries home test matches. The only teams I can see BT getting (if they are interested) will be Bangladesh or Pakistan.

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

That Life's a Pitch programme isn't much better really. Well, lets see how they do with the football on Saturday.

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

Makes a change from them getting everything and us getting sweet FA don't it? Bitter sweet! Shame you moved Colin...

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:37 ----------

I just thought, this deal has nearly paid for a whole season of the PL for VM. Or maybe they will use the money for the CL?

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:39 ----------

Does anyone else think that this might be a ploy to get us all hooked in the meantime and then in 3 years pull the rug from under our feet once they have rolled out their own Infinity and iptv service countrywide?

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

When called VM today to apologize, i mentioned that logo and they said that enough viewers complain directly to BT, then they will move the logo to the top right hand corner.

Yes, l did apologise to VM, when l am wrong l admit it. I think you can forget Atlantic - l have my football - Spurs forever man.

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

TBH I am not bothered by where the logo is on screen. It really doesn't get in the way of my viewing.

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

You called VM to apologise? What was the point? Maybe you shouldn't have kicked off in the first place?
I'm sure you're little rant wasn't the worst they have heard. I would think you got a lot more worked up than you did and probably had a good little chuckle to themselves when you got the phone and you would have been forgotten about by the next call. :D

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

I thought it was pretty good. Its good we all like differeent things. :D

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

Kudos for apologizing to VM!!!

Spurs, eh? Good man. It is nice to see a well run club in this day and age. They have many, many millions behind them and yet they work hard to balance the books with players going in and out of the club, will not be held to ransom by agents and not spend many many millions on players just because they can. I am pretty sure there is little to no debt attached to the club either (happy to be corrected) They have flair players, but are not afraid to get stuck in when it gets physical either. The sooner more clubs are run like Spurs the sooner I will grow to love football again.

Sorry, that is off topic. Um, any news on Universal HD?;)

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

Well I have come out of the woodwork again after many years :D WTG Virgin Media on getting this deal. To be honest I am not really interested in BT sports(no doubt i'll watch the odd footie match) but I got ESPN back and my baseball fix back again!!! I was missing this and even subscribed to atbat on my phone to get a fix lol Glad it was only £6 for the rest of the season

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

Been a while for me too. Well chuffed with the BT Sports stuff. Now I can record loads of games and not watch them, just like I did with ESPN.

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

l wonder if more then 24 thousand watched it.:D

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

just noticed La liga is being shown this weekend all on Skysports 4, was that the same last year and if not that means BT vision and youview cant watch it right?

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

Should be good, BT been in the TV transmission and satellite uplink business for many many years.

---------- Post added at 09:37 ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 ----------

Enjoyed the cricket last night, well the women on there shaking their backsides :)

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

I have to give BT credit for their streams as well. Was using a friends log in to watch online before Virgin got the channels, and the quality is light years ahead of anything I've seen on Virgin anywhere and Sky go. On a par, if not better, than some sopcast I've been forced to watch in the past. Not that i condone that type of stream though... :erm:

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

I will tell you what's funny on the other site; there is FM's who were saying they didn't want BTS anyway because it's going to be rubbish, or it is rubbish, but now they are signing it's praises now they have it! I think they must have swallowed those sour grapes.

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

I said I didn't want it. So, FWIW, here's what I think now it's here -

Firstly I think a Virgin have done well to get this deal, but they've now confirmed a precedent. It will be interesting to see what happens in three years time. Personally I think Virgin have taken the easy way out now but are storing up future problems. That said I also think they've effectively killed off Bt vision as far as I'm concerned;

Secondly, the channels themselves. The shows I've seen so far have been amateurish, and I've long said that I believe their Premier League rights to be second rate. I haven't changed my opinion just because I've now got the channels. I will, however, be watching the first match tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing how they do.

What is a plus, for me, is ESPN, which is essentially ESPN America, in hd.

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

The BTS films have been good so has the documentary on the UFC. I think the Studio is impressive and looks amazing in HD.

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

BT Sport sign Man City for content.

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/p...r-distribution

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

Like the sound of this, unfortunately my son has taking a liking to man city he will enjoy this.

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

That's an odd decision for a sports channel , I'm sure all those non Man City subscribers will give the channel a miss for those three hours a week.

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

If l rightly remember certain sports channels a few years ago had Real Madrid and Barcelona as content on their channels so its not odd but perhaps odd only to Man Utd supporters.:D

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

They can always watch Sky sports, it is almost a Man Utd channel anyway :D

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

I think you're right, it's a risky game BT are playing.

They effectively signed the death warrant of their own DTV platform, and they're playing sky at a game they know inside out, and have effectively seen off all newcomers.

There surely had to be a better, cheaper way to attract broadband customers?

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

Well, yes, but we mustn't forget that attracting broadband customers wasn't actually the reason they bid for Premier League rights. The broadband thing was their plan b when they failed to get anything like the rights package they wanted. Their original aim was to grow their TV platform and compete with Sky.

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

Are you serious? Sky Sports is the reason Arsenal don't need a channel! Martin Tyler can't commentate on any game without mentioning them and that drip Alan Smith fawns all over them. :)

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

Well that's gone out the window. There is no incentive to purchase their DTV platform when their channel is available on the big two.

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

I was thinking neville :)

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

Agreed. It went out the window when, having outbid Sky, Sky were given the chance to up their bid and blew Bt out of the water. It left Bt with a second class set of rights and a bill for the best part of a billion quid. Plan b meant something had to give.

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

been away a couple of days and have found ESPN and BT Sports (in HD!!) on my telly.

fantastic.

we had to wait a while but VM have come up trumps getting it in the XL pack. It pays to be patient- i wonder how many had jumped to Sky/BT .I am a sports fan and this was the absolute best case scenario for me :):)

Many of us thought we would end up paying £10 to £15 for BT/ESPN

Getting 3 channels in HD is better than the old deal of ESPN HD ESPN America SD and ESPN Classic SD.

Theres still talk that we may well get Sky Atlantic in the not too distant future, HD versions of Sky News and Sky Sports News, F1 as well as maybe Universal and the like, even Netflix on TIVO

Should this happen then VM would have virtually everything Sky has (sports 3 & 4 HD not withstanding). Why would you feel the need to move.Certainly BT visions offering and lack of Sky content puts them well down in 3rd place in the Pay Tv market.

Now its quite likley VM will announce a price increase soon-tbh if we do even get a couple more new channels as above i probably wouldnt begrudge a small increase of say a couple of quid a month as the additions over the last 6 months or so (more HD) would probalby still be worth it imo. (non sports fans may disagree)

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

Makes you wonder the long term future of Premier Sports is!

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

From what l can see it will go the way of the dodo.

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

The NHL certainly screwed up badly when they sold the rights to Premier Sports. From what I have read there have been problems with coverage from the start.

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

Premier Sports lost some sports rights recently which has weakened its value even more

it still has NRL rugby and of particular interest to me NHL ice hockey and GAA but doesnt have a whole lot on offer at £10 pm and only on the Sky platform where punters are probably paying for Sky Sports and possibly BT Sports already. You wonder how many subscribers it has and how long it can be viable.

imo they need to 1) reduce its price 2) get itself on other platforms ie VM or 3) widen its audience as much as possible to increase advertising revenues- follow BT's move and wholesale the channel on VM as part of the XL pack.

if it does nothing it shall surely go the way of Setanta in the UK

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

They wanted to get into a pack on VM rather than as a standalone channel and VM, quite rightly, thought the asking price too high.

Think they dodged a bullet there.

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

absolutely mate -god knows what the NHL were thinking. If they were hoping to widen its appeal in the UK it could not have done a worse job.

hopefully when the deal is due for renewal we shall see it on Sky or BT Sports/ESPN (or even channel 5? as in days gone by).

Premier Sports couldnt have paid that much surely. Between them Sky/BT/ESPN show all the other major North American Sports MLB,NFL,NBA, NCAA,MLS even Indy/Nascar/Lacrosse. ESPN even show AHL hockey last season (go Marlies!) You would think they would like to show it and the NHL would like to get is product to as many viewers/fans as possible.

I also think NHL more than any other sport needs to be shown in HD- the difference is quite striking.

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

I remember emailing the NHL, The commissioner, the Company selling the rights about there poor decision and the repercussion for the NH L in the UK. I did not get a reply from anyone , just shows how poorly the NH L is actually run. Imo.
I like you can only hope they come to there senses and ensure more people can watch on tv in HD which is essential with pucks flying at 100mph.

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

Does anyone know when the NHL rights are up for auction again? I did have a google and came across this interesting piece.

http://pushforpros.wordpress.com/201...-and-bid-more/

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

Is there an audience that will make it worth the purchase?

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

Oh just found they only signed the 4 year deal last year :(

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

BT Sport's Clare Balding show boosted by Virgin Media deal

Flagship programme's audience rises from 1,200 to 14,400 in its second week as cable giant's TV customers gain access


http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...dia?CMP=twt_fd

full article there

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

And drops back to 1,201 the following week?

Just kidding, haven't seen it.

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

It was a bloody terrible show!

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

I stand by my comment then :D

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

yeh the NHL seems a bit behind the others over here- we have regular season games for NFL and NBA already in the UK on an ongoing basis.i know we had the Ducks/Kings over to London but thats 6 years ago now-the NHL havent been back to the UK since.

as a matter of interest you may be aware Manchester City and the New York Yankees have joined forces commercially. They co-own a new MLS franchise New York City FC that starts play next year i think (this link up is a bit of a dilema for me -Im a diehard Mets fan!!). There has been talk of the Yankees playing games over here -possibly at the Etihad

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

i watched Clare Balding show last night it was shocking

ps

breaking news

BT Sport announces latest live Football Conference matches

http://www.btplc.com/news/Articles/S...2-15F92D2AE204

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

If they follow the course of the NFL there is money to be made and fans to convert 87000 fans at Wembley twice a year is no mean feat. Even England v Scotland game only 75000 were there.

---------- Post added at 19:47 ---------- Previous post was at 19:45 ----------

I have to disagree, perhaps it was the fact there were no footballers on the show that some of you did not like it. It was certainly better than a load of sycophant ex footballers talking a load of rubbish earlier in the evening.

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

Agree it was refreshing change. I'm a huge football fan but it is analysed and previewed to death.

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

I only ever watch the match itself, don't bother with all the other nonsense before, in-between or after.

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

Yes, I am not keen on foreplay either. And claire balding wouldn't be my choice :D