Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

With news today that BT Sport has bought the ESPN network what is the likelihood that the channel will be removed from Virgin Media's TV XL package? I have recently upgraded to TV XL for the very reason that ESPN is offered at no extra cost. I'd be very interested to hear others' views on how they think Virgin will play this one.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

l think first of all BT Sports will cost us extra but how much is the vexed question but on what will happen to the XL pack l think things are already being done to replace the ESPN content and thus this will continue one suspects on a ongoing basis right up to when ESPN disappears and is replaced by BT Sports as a standalone subscription package

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

ESPN has never been a part of the XL package, it was an addon supplied for free.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

http://mediacentre.virginmedia.com/S...eason-14e.aspx

"Sports fans can now get ESPN channels as part of Virgin Media’s XL pack for no extra cost"

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

So his statement still stands, it's an add on which we get for free

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

But the question is did we get it for free as the XL pack price has risen significantly since then.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

The point I'm making is that ESPN is an important part of Virgin's TV XL marketing strategy and without it, it reduces the attractiveness of the XL package. The main reason I upgraded to XL is because ESPN is supplied as part of the deal (be it as an add on or whatever). Without ESPN I may very well decide to drop back to M+

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Yes l do see your point but one suspects in order to replace ESPN on the XL pack Virgin will will have set things in motion to adequately replace it by the time ESPN goes.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

"ESPN has never been a part of the XL package, it was an addon supplied for free."

I agree it is an add on we got for free. My problem was the suggestion it has never been part of the XL package when it clearly has for 4 years. FACT :D

I’m sure one of our very reliable Virgin employees who post here will be able to confirm the position of ESPN in relation to the XL package.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Chad's right. It's irrelevant if it's officially part of the package or an add on. The fact remains that for the last four years it's been included at no extra cost, and in HD, to subscribers of TV XL. I hope denphone's suggestion that the wheels will already be in motion to limit the damage when it eventually goes is right although I can't imagine what could fill the void of live Premier League and FA Cup football and Premiership Rugby if it's sports you're into.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

ESPN, Classic and America are part of the XL package. ESPN HD is in XLHD, which is an add-on package at no extra cost. Everyone is right :)

(The HD channels are in a separate package to ensure that SD-only boxes don't try to tune to them)

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Hooray!!! :D

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

How can it be an add on if it is a part of the package?

"Sports fans can now get ESPN channels as part of Virgin Media’s XL pack..."

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

So, can any Virgin employees give us a heads up as to what the preferred outcome might be?

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

BT will no doubt have contractual obligations regarding ESPN on Virgin, so there likely won't be any change for a while - contract renegotiation and all that.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Unless the transfer to BT is timed to take place when current contracts have expired.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Possible, but unlikely. It's not like ESPN only has contracts with Virgin, ESPN is available on Sky as well (just sky charges extra) and likely others. It would be a massive coincidence if all of their contracts expired at the same time, especially as these kinds of contracts tend to last years and years.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

If I remember correctly the channels went live on VM and Sky in early August 2009. BT are due to take over at the end of July 2013, possibly timed to match the expiry of an existing 4 year contract?

The ESPN channels on other platforms are an add-on package and BT Sports channels will also be an add-on package, so the old ESPN add-on packages will, most likely, be rolled out into the new BT Sports ones. Only VM includes the ESPN channels in one of the basic packages, so the situation for VM isn't really comparable.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

It's impossible to know what the details are for each and every provider really, we're just guessing. As far as VM/Sky/etc is concerned though, probably not a lot will change. If they have a contract, those terms will be honoured. If a contract is up for renew, it would have been regardless of the takeover. Just wait and see, I suppose?

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

It's impossible to know for sure but we do know that ESPN were already looking to exit from the UK market and sell off any remaining sports rights. It would make sense for them to plan that exit for when existing contracts are ending. Otherwise they would have to suffer the burden of early exit penalties. That was the logic behind my thinking.

In any event, ESPN has already announced that ESPN Classic is to close across Europe before BT takes over. It has also been stated that BT will only operate 1 channel with the ESPN brand, other rights purchased will be used on BT Sports branded channels. That only leaves a single channel, presumably ESPN America, covered by existing contractual agreements with VM. When asked, BT have stated that channel will not be sold separately but only as a part of the BT Sports suite.

As you suggest, we can only wait and see, but based on enforcing existing contracts, the best we could hope for would probably be an extended period for ESPN America in the XL package.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

The flip side to all this is BT may not allow its channels on Sky or VM at all. It may wish to make them exclusive to their own pay tv platform, cue vm/sky complaints to ofcom, court action, competition commission investigation etc

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

I can see VM tv going down the pan and the company only operating a BB and phone service

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Highly unlikely considering the fact that BT has already added sports content on satellite. Although Sky is an open platform, it remains to be seen what the exact relationship between Sky and BT will be. Maybe BT will simply have a contract with Sky for the EPG slots and sell the channels direct to the public rather than through Sky.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

A highly unlikely scenario Gavin.

Re: Virgin Media TV XL package devalued after BT buyout of ESPN?
 

Don't think Liberty Global see it that way either