Originally Posted by Jameseh (Post 35561142)

Because BT don't have full Sky Sports so there is no chance in hell of sports fans switching from Virgin TV to BT Vision, so leaving it off Virgin means they would miss out on 3 million possible subscriptions, something they can't afford.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35561226)

Yes Sky already have a solution to stop BT advertising on Sky sports channels; make the cost so prohibitively high that BT wouldn't pay it. That way they can say they will take BT advertising, but know it will never happen. That strategy worked to prevent any other provider from getting Atlantic. Someone at Sky must be asleep to have missed that trick ;)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35561193)

I think the article I quoted have it wrong. Surely SKY must still have to wholesale SKY Sports 1 and 2.

I still think Virgin are still caught in the middle of the battle between SKY and BT. SKY are holding out from negotiating a new carriage with Virgin, for SKY Sports, until they see what deal BT and Virgin agree for the BT Sports channels. If BT Sports go into the XL package, and SKY can't agree a similar wholesale deal with BT, I can see the following happening:

1. SKY Sports 3 & 4 being withheld from Virgin and BT
2. SKY Sports 1 & 2 HD being withheld from Virgin
3. A sudden hike in the wholesale price for SKY Sports 1 & 2

SKY have already confirmed they do not rely on advertising revenue so SKY Sports 3 & 4 being withheld from Virgin would not be a big loss. Whilst there would be a dip in revenue coming in via Virgin due to witholding channels, SKY could easily make up the shortfall by attracting new customers with half price offers and being able to advertise they are the only platform in the UK to carry all SKY Sports channels and all BT Sports channels.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35561253)

Not that you prefer the doomsday scenario, Chad! ;)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35561294)

It's only doomsday if you are not with the right TV provider come August :D

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35561321)

If you don't watch football its no problem at all

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35561330)

Can't agree more. The impact of SKY potentially withholding some channels from BT and Virgin isn't going to effect everyone. Many BT, Virgin and SKY customers don't care at all for sports.

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35561333)

Eventually the whole sports bubble will pop. When the rights are next contested what are they going to bid then?

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35561321)

If you don't watch football its no problem at all

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35561333)

Eventually the whole sports bubble will pop. When the rights are next contested what are they going to bid then?

Originally Posted by Jameseh (Post 35561152)

I bet you don't go to the cinema or buy DVDs either?

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35561294)

It's only doomsday if you are not with the right TV provider come August :D

Originally Posted by BexTech (Post 35561417)

Yes, go to cinema.

No, don't buy DVDs, buy Blu-Ray discs.

Said I don't pay for Sky Sports, didn't say I don't pay for a sports subscription tho.

Originally Posted by andy_m (Post 35561470)

I think I would find foreign commentary irritating, or can you get English language options?