General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2013) Vol. 1.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

I am now really starting to think that ESPN will stop broadcasting from next season with the live sports rights ESPN have still got (SPL, Europa, FA Cup and maybe more) being shown on ESPN Classic - like ESPN are doing with the Darts tonight due to the FA Cup.

Things really don't look got at all. ESPN are losing plenty of rights, or exclusivity to rights.

UFC - Deal expires August 2013
World Series of Boxing - Deal expires May 2013
Barclays Premier League - Deal expires May 2013 (BT Vision)
Italian Seria A - Deal expires May 2013 (BT Vision)
Ligue 1 - Deal expires May 2013 (BT Vision)
Major League Soccer - Deal expired (BT Vision)
Brasileiro - Deal expires May 2013 (BT Vision)
BDO World Pro Darts Championships - Deal expired
Caribbean Twenty20 - Deal expires January 2013
NBA - Deal expires June 2013
Aviva Premiership Rugby - Deal expires May 2013 (BT Vision)

Over the past couple of weeks there has been plenty of noise about Scottish football reform plans with the SPL and SFL meeting to discuss reshaping the structure of Scottish football, as early as this summer. I think Scottish football is bracing itself for the loss of one of it's broadcasting partners and is trying to react proactively.

It would be interesting to see what kind of carriage deal ESPN signed with Virgin and BT back in 2009. If those deals are up for renewal in 2013, goodnight ESPN.

[Lostlam]

The more rights I hear ESPN have lost or are going to lose, it seems quite clear that the end for them in the UK is properly almost upon us. It seems like no sports channel can go for the long haul and not fold after a few years. Setanta did it and it seems like ESPN are going to do it, but for different substances. Hopefully, BT will be around for a bit longer than it's predecessors.

However, I believe that if VM don't agree a similar deal with BT as they have done with ESPN and Setanta in the past, they could be hit the hardest as they constantly seem to be upping their prices, but are hardly bringing anything new and decent to the table and could result in a lot of customers going elsewhere to their rivals.

In addition, I think Al Jazeera will be the main competitor with Sky in the future as they were close to getting the 38 matches on offer for the EPL earlier this year and they seem to be expanding to a variety of countries worldwide. Also, they definitely have the money to push BT and Sky all the way the next time broadcasting rights are on offer.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Lostlam

However, I believe that if VM don't agree a similar deal with BT as they have done with ESPN and Setanta in the past, they could be hit the hardest as they constantly seem to be upping their prices, but are hardly bringing anything new and decent to the table and could result in a lot of customers going elsewhere to their rivals.

I couldn't agree more. This has been my view, and the view of many others for months and months. Even if ESPN does continue to exist it's place in the XL package and the current carriadge deal with Virgin must be up for review.

[Lostlam]

Originally Posted by Chad

I couldn't agree more. This has been my view, and the view of many others for months and months. Even if ESPN does continue to exist it's place in the XL package and the current carriadge deal with Virgin must be up for review.

Yh mate. This has to be one of VM's main priorities if they want to keep their existing customers and not face even more customers leaving as most of us are unhappy with their lack of HD channels, let alone having to pay an added cost to have BT Sports.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Lostlam

Yh mate. This has to be one of VM's main priorities if they want to keep their existing customers and not face even more customers leaving as most of us are unhappy with their lack of HD channels, let alone having to pay an added cost to have BT Sports.

It's a tough one for Virgin however I'll give them their due. Virgin have been backed into a corner before over sports channels and have come out with some great deals.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

You've obviously never watched this channel. Why don't you try watching it and then tell me where the propaganda is in their news items.

I have watched quite a bit of this channel recently, and it is one of the better quality news channels.

You are not in a position to know whether I have watched it or not. Indoctrination and/or propaganda do not have to be blatant and can sometimes be very, very subtle.

There is a more appropriate thread to discuss Al Jazeera here:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...l#post35520540[/QUOTE]

[Lostlam]

Originally Posted by Chad

It's a tough one for Virgin however I'll give them their due. Virgin have been backed into a corner before over sports channels and have come out with some great deals.

Hopefully they will, but only time will tell.

I also was just thinking; I wouldn't be surprised if BT followed Sky and maybe offered their SD channels, but ask for extra for their HD channels. I don't like this concept at all, but it helps Sky gain more revenue at the moment and that is despite only offering 2 HD channels, instead of the five on offer on Sky itself.

I was surprised that ESPN seem to be drawing back from the UK market, it is not though they are a small company either!

[Lostlam]

Originally Posted by mhatter67

I was surprised that ESPN seem to be drawing back from the UK market, it is not though they are a small company either!

Same here mate, but they properly decided not to go overboard with paying the cost of the EPL rights as they don't want to face a similar fate to Setanta. I was just surprised that they are/have let go of all the other rights they currently have. I suppose it all comes down to money at the end of the day as most things do any they weren't willing to cough up what BT are.

Also, they are properly going back to what they know and going to concentrate on the American market, where they made their name.

They recently lost some MLS & all Premier League games over in the US so I think they're overall not prepared for the rising cost of sports rights, unless they're just spending a ton on NFL.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Chad

It would be interesting to see what kind of carriage deal ESPN signed with Virgin and BT back in 2009. If those deals are up for renewal in 2013, goodnight ESPN.

ESPN signs an 4 year deal in 2009 with Virgin Media - as far as I know.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

ESPN signs an 4 year deal in 2009 with Virgin Media - as far as I know.

Thanks for the info.

[hdtvfan]

Originally Posted by Lostlam

The more rights I hear ESPN have lost or are going to lose, it seems quite clear that the end for them in the UK is properly almost upon us. It seems like no sports channel can go for the long haul and not fold after a few years. Setanta did it and it seems like ESPN are going to do it, but for different substances. Hopefully, BT will be around for a bit longer than it's predecessors.

The problem is these channels that launch and want to instantly been a big player and take on Sky. Eurosport and Motors TV have both just done their own thing rather than go after Sky, that has been the problem for Setanta and ESPN they wanted to launch and instantly take Sky on and be a big player in the sports market rather than slowly growing their channels and brand.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

ESPN signs an 4 year deal in 2009 with Virgin Media - as far as I know.

So neither side were ever committed to each other past the end of ESPN's Premier League deal. It's to be hoped that Virgin had a plan 4 years ago for what has transpired.

[Itshim]

Honestly, I would prefer a price drop due to no ESPN or BT or what ever. Not going to happen but still ....