What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

If ESPN pulls out of the UK in the summer Virgin will suddenly find themselves with a budget to play with.

What would people like to see Virgin invest the money into?

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

A very interesting Conundrum and at the end of the day after much consideration l would like to see it invested in more HD and SD channels.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

Where is "distribute to shareholders"? :)

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

So they can afford to get Sky as well so that they don't miss any of the channels that VM don't have?

Just kidding Spiderplant :)

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

VM will probably get BT Sports whether or not ESPN stays or goes. I can't really see ESPN going, not yet anyway. They have secured deals to broadcast other European league fixtures next season or more than what they do now.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

Three years or more? I also think ESPN will play the long game.....

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

They are further down my list as its vitally important to re-invest to keep your customers happy.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

Remove ESPN from the XL pack when the Premier League season is over and lower the price accordingly.

BT Sports is made to be an advantage for BT Vision versus its competitors so it won't be offered to VM in any other form than a premium subscription channel.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

I agree BT will be at a premium price which I will choose not to pay....

I doubt ESPN will be removed from XL if it continues to run which I think it will.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

In the wake of the Setanta collapse Virgin were under tremendous pressure to continue to provide coverage of the Premier League for free on it's top tier. It doesn't appear that they'll be under the same sort of pressure this time around, which is interesting. I should have thought that far from freeing up a budget which Virgin can spend on new things, the scenario outlined by the op would actually give Virgin breathing space from what I understand was a pretty punishing deal. What I do know is that if ESPN withdraws, and Virgin do consider that they have some money to spend on new content then it should be sporting content.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

I think ESPN are already negotiating a way out of the UK. I received a questionnaire from them as I am a Forum member asking me questions about BT sports channel. Would I subscribe to a stand alone channel or would I prefer it as part of my current sub with VM and to many others about BT sports channel to list here.
I am convinced they are planning an exit strategy and this may involve them selling the entire UK operation to BT. This would give BT all ESPN current rights and a working entity.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

How does that leave ESPN America ?

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

Not in a very good place, unless that is part of the deal.:( They asked me for my comments and I told them that ESPN used to be the place for American Sports fans, but with the loss of NHL and with them no longer wanting MNF for NFL, this is no longer the case.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

To put it bluntly up the creek without a paddle.

Re: What Virgin should do if ESPN pull out of the UK
 

Thanks for the info
That would be a shame Den for us US Sports fans , I love my fix of College football.