General : ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news

[tvtimes]

I will tell you what's funny on the other site; there is FM's who were saying they didn't want BTS anyway because it's going to be rubbish, or it is rubbish, but now they are signing it's praises now they have it! I think they must have swallowed those sour grapes.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by tvtimes

I will tell you what's funny on the other site; there is FM's who were saying they didn't want BTS anyway because it's going to be rubbish, or it is rubbish, but now they are signing it's praises now they have it! I think they must have swallowed those sour grapes.

I said I didn't want it. So, FWIW, here's what I think now it's here -

Firstly I think a Virgin have done well to get this deal, but they've now confirmed a precedent. It will be interesting to see what happens in three years time. Personally I think Virgin have taken the easy way out now but are storing up future problems. That said I also think they've effectively killed off Bt vision as far as I'm concerned;

Secondly, the channels themselves. The shows I've seen so far have been amateurish, and I've long said that I believe their Premier League rights to be second rate. I haven't changed my opinion just because I've now got the channels. I will, however, be watching the first match tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing how they do.

What is a plus, for me, is ESPN, which is essentially ESPN America, in hd.

[tvtimes]

The BTS films have been good so has the documentary on the UFC. I think the Studio is impressive and looks amazing in HD.

[denphone]

BT Sport sign Man City for content.

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/p...r-distribution

On the eve of the opening day of England's Premier League season, broadcast newcomer BT Sport and Manchester City have announced a three-year content partnership. The deal will include BT Sport broadcasting exclusive weekly interviews from key members of the playing and coaching staff, and access to behind-the-scenes content, on average expected to be three hours per week.

While a number of Premier League clubs have their own broadcast channels, Manchester City to date have kept their video content as clips and features on their website, rather than creating a full TV channel. The deal with BT Sport is the first of its kind in the Premier League.

[martin201002]

Originally Posted by denphone

BT Sport sign Man City for content.

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/p...r-distribution

Like the sound of this, unfortunately my son has taking a liking to man city he will enjoy this.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by denphone

BT Sport sign Man City for content.

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/p...r-distribution

That's an odd decision for a sports channel , I'm sure all those non Man City subscribers will give the channel a miss for those three hours a week.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

That's an odd decision for a sports channel , I'm sure all those non Man City subscribers will give the channel a miss for those three hours a week.

If l rightly remember certain sports channels a few years ago had Real Madrid and Barcelona as content on their channels so its not odd but perhaps odd only to Man Utd supporters.

[colin25]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

That's an odd decision for a sports channel , I'm sure all those non Man City subscribers will give the channel a miss for those three hours a week.

They can always watch Sky sports, it is almost a Man Utd channel anyway

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by andy_m

That said I also think they've effectively killed off Bt vision as far as I'm concerned;
.

I think you're right, it's a risky game BT are playing.

They effectively signed the death warrant of their own DTV platform, and they're playing sky at a game they know inside out, and have effectively seen off all newcomers.

There surely had to be a better, cheaper way to attract broadband customers?

[andy_m]

Well, yes, but we mustn't forget that attracting broadband customers wasn't actually the reason they bid for Premier League rights. The broadband thing was their plan b when they failed to get anything like the rights package they wanted. Their original aim was to grow their TV platform and compete with Sky.

[anap]

Originally Posted by colin25

They can always watch Sky sports, it is almost a Man Utd channel anyway

Are you serious? Sky Sports is the reason Arsenal don't need a channel! Martin Tyler can't commentate on any game without mentioning them and that drip Alan Smith fawns all over them.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by andy_m

Their original aim was to grow their TV platform and compete with Sky.

Well that's gone out the window. There is no incentive to purchase their DTV platform when their channel is available on the big two.

[colin25]

Originally Posted by anap

Are you serious? Sky Sports is the reason Arsenal don't need a channel! Martin Tyler can't commentate on any game without mentioning them and that drip Alan Smith fawns all over them.

I was thinking neville

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Well that's gone out the window. There is no incentive to purchase their DTV platform when their channel is available on the big two.

Agreed. It went out the window when, having outbid Sky, Sky were given the chance to up their bid and blew Bt out of the water. It left Bt with a second class set of rights and a bill for the best part of a billion quid. Plan b meant something had to give.

[cityfan247]

been away a couple of days and have found ESPN and BT Sports (in HD!!) on my telly.

fantastic.

we had to wait a while but VM have come up trumps getting it in the XL pack. It pays to be patient- i wonder how many had jumped to Sky/BT .I am a sports fan and this was the absolute best case scenario for me

Many of us thought we would end up paying £10 to £15 for BT/ESPN

Getting 3 channels in HD is better than the old deal of ESPN HD ESPN America SD and ESPN Classic SD.

Theres still talk that we may well get Sky Atlantic in the not too distant future, HD versions of Sky News and Sky Sports News, F1 as well as maybe Universal and the like, even Netflix on TIVO

Should this happen then VM would have virtually everything Sky has (sports 3 & 4 HD not withstanding). Why would you feel the need to move.Certainly BT visions offering and lack of Sky content puts them well down in 3rd place in the Pay Tv market.

Now its quite likley VM will announce a price increase soon-tbh if we do even get a couple more new channels as above i probably wouldnt begrudge a small increase of say a couple of quid a month as the additions over the last 6 months or so (more HD) would probalby still be worth it imo. (non sports fans may disagree)