Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

I'm hoping that Disney/News Corp/ESPN give Sky Sports a run for their money when the football comes around again.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

I wouldn't count on it. They were allowed to carve the SPL up between them for a pittance. A bad precedent. They may well come to some unofficial agreement on what packages they bid on and how much. I know it's illegal but I wouldn't put it past them.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

I think that is what a lot of people fear.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

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Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Yep my feelings as well it would be suicidal for ESPN to take BSKYB on , their subscriber numbers just don't stack up , if they did bid aggressively and win say four , you can kiss goodbye to ESPN free with XL.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

i would happily pay extra for espn with more premier league football, and avoid giving money to murdoch...

why would it be suicidal ? do you think sky sports started with god knows how many millions of subscribers ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Pete if you believe ESPN will do battle with SKy for PL football , I've a feeling you'll be upset at the next rights.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

ESPN and Sky might appear pals at the moment but there are no friends in business. They are probably both trying to suss each other out.

It would be awesome if Sky lost some Premier league rights but it probably won't happen. They need the live football rights and they know it.

If ESPN think they can make money by being the main player and not just being second fiddle, they will go for it. But if they think they can make more by just being the second player, then that is what they'll be.

It's all about the money.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Exactly ESPN are happy to play second fiddle and still make a profit , their main market is in the US and that is where they fight tooth and nail to keep rights.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Is there any news about ESPN2 and ESPN News launching soon? I remember an interesting post about 6 months ago hinting both channels are in the works. Also on a side note, does anyone else here regularly take part in the ESPN customer feedback forums?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

It is understandable that some custromers would like ESPN to obtain more packages of EPL football. However if ESPN were to say get 3 packages do we honestly think they would continue to offer their service as part of XL?, furthermore do you think Sky would cut their subscription prices either substantially or even at all if they lost a few packages?

I think it is in our interest to have one junior player and another who mops up the majority of the packages as otherwise it is probably going to cost us punters more.

In my opinion.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

ESPN are probably well aware also that if they were to take 3 packs would customers be willing to part with even more cash , which could actually harm subscriber numbers.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Whilst I personally still don't see the value of needing 2 separate subscriptions if I want to watch all televised Premiership games, ESPN on it's own is a good channel which offers a wide range of sports for a decent price. It means people with a tight budget still have the chance to enjoy live English football at a price they can afford. If ESPN won the rights to 69 live Premiership games you'd quickly see their subscription fee jump up to about £20 per month, and it would swiftly be removed from the XL package.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

As far as I can gather those rumours mostly seem to have been generated from MB's blog, I haven't read much else about it as it's his blog that always seems to be referred back to.

I couldn't see these services being offered with their current portfolio of content but that's just my opinion.

---------- Post added at 22:18 ---------- Previous post was at 22:15 ----------

I can see it happening in future but for me the ESPN brand is still being built up here, when it is fully established I wouldn't be surprised by anything but maybe not for a few years yet. Just a hunch really.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. II.
 

Why aren't there more games shown? I mean there's only 3/4 games per week which leaves 6/7 that aren't shown yet they are in other countries, it's pretty ridiculous imo.

I hope ESPN try for a couple even if it does mean it being removed from XL, it's not fair that there's only one main sports provider making them able to act & charge whatever they like.

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Anyway back on topic, any news on Ginx TV?