Quote:
Originally Posted by alwaysabear
I do like the presentation on ESPN better. There are also rumours ESPN2 will launch later this year, there certainly signing rights agreements on a regular basis.
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Done a couple of focus groups for ESPN and signed to an online focus group that they have. A lot of talk was about 2nd channel etc. They did a online survey asking peoples views on a ESPN 2, Red button, VOD, whether an ESPN 2 should be a weekend only channel or in HD, sports rights they would like on the channel, a Saturday afternoon results show, presenters on the channel etc but ESPNews was never mentioned.
As for costs of Premier League rights to consumers... the biggest issue here that people should have is with Sky. When Setanta launched Sky delibrately pushed prices to freeze them out of market. I find Sky's coverage biased towards certain teams/managers and range of sports (outside of Football and Boxing) that I like isnt covered on the channel. ESPN show more of the sports that I like from wider range of world Football to UFC; NBA and some Boxing coverage.
Most major markets around the world have several pay sports channels in there market and Sky by over inflating the prices they bid for rights in general not just sports effectively stifle competiton and are driving prices up to consumer not the EU. To be honest coz of there stranglehold on Premier League rights and now Champions League rights they have control on the marketplace. If people are happy with paying for monopoly of Sky for the foreseeable future if this ruling is taken out then so be it but to be honest the rules shouldnt allow for more than 4 not 5 packages and should be forced to sell one of top packages as well to another network. Who benefits from the money from this? Greedy footballers, agents and Sky (not ESPN at this moment) so think about it.
Anyone competiting in buying rights has to bid against Sky who will over pay. At least in football world UEFA financial fair play rules are coming in but these doesnt equate in broadcasting world really with EU and Ofcom who still havent gone far enough with Sky.
As VM customers we have had to pay £6 per month for less rights they did 3 years ago and without red button access.
Lets not even start on there PPV for big boxing fights policy!