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

Emel · 26-07-2012, 14:33

Sports rights are, probably, the biggest single Pay TV subscription driver as the massive money spent by Sky and BT on Premier League games shows.

This should be a particularly interesting year for sports broadcasting with the entry of a big new player in BT. At the moment I am happy with Virgin's sport coverage. For me the inclusion of ESPN in the XL pack just outweighs Sky Sports and a Eurosport channel not being available in HD and Premier Sport not being available at all.

This link, already posted by Den, shows ESPN will be around for the long term.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/ne...ll-rights.html

Whether ESPN in the XL pack will be such an advantage to Virgin when they lose the Premier League is open to question.

It will be interesting to see how the sports channels, particularly BT, develop over the year and whether Virgin will change their sports offering both in the XL pack and by individual subscription.

Any news would be appreciated!

Chad · 27-07-2012, 18:18

Details of new TV deal between SPL, SKY and ESPN:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/...roval.18258382

Chad · 27-07-2012, 23:45

HJK Helsinki Vs. Celtic in the Champions League third qualifying round second leg is on Premier Sports on 08th August 2012 at 6pm.

Emel · 28-07-2012, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

Details of new TV deal between SPL, SKY and ESPN:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/...roval.18258382

This is all looking good.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19012042

This may increase the chance of ESPN staying in the XL pack after this season. I am looking forward to watching Rangers journey back. I am also pleased to see that the SFL clubs doing the right thing doesn't seem to have cost Scottish football any money!

Emel · 28-07-2012, 11:28

Next years British and Irish Lions tour to Australia will be live on Sky.

http://www.skysports.com/lions-09/st...932289,00.html

muppetman11 · 28-07-2012, 12:33

Sky Sports extends La Liga coverage

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articl...verage-3413201

denphone · 28-07-2012, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Sky Sports extends La Liga coverage

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articl...verage-3413201

Excellent news.

Chad · 28-07-2012, 15:08

More televised boxing coming soon!

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/exc...elevision-deal

Primetime (SKY channel 498) on a free-to-air basis with a two-and-a-half to three hour time slot. Fans can also watch the action on Freeview (channel 112) or online at www.sportstonightlive.com.

No mention of Virgin Media picking this up, yet.

andrew.shearman · 28-07-2012, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

HJK Helsinki Vs. Celtic in the Champions League third qualifying round second leg is on Premier Sports on 08th August 2012 at 6pm.

will Premier Sports come to virgin in time for me to see that game

Andrew

LondonRoad · 28-07-2012, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew.shearman

will Premier Sports come to virgin in time for me to see that game

Andrew

No chance.

The tenner saved can be used to lubricate your tonsils whilst watching in a local boozer.

Emel · 29-07-2012, 02:09

A market view on BT Sports strategy and prospects.

http://marketmettle.com/knowbt/1905-...ootball-rights

Emel · 01-08-2012, 00:31

Already posted by Media Boy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19070877

I have just reposted it here to note that over the past week Sky have moved quickly to get some good sports rights. In what will be a more competitive sports market they are not resting on thir laurels. BT have supposedly got a big budget for sports rights but if they are slow off the mark it will be interesting to see what is still available.

Premier Sports are upping their price because of increasing sports rights and broadcasting costs so perhaps they have sports in mind.

If BT ends up as a standalone channel rather than in the XL pack sports viewing could become rather expensive. I would be surprised (and impressed) if Virgin could afford to have both ESPN and BT in the XL pack. I am sure BT will have a good value sports offering so the competition will be hotting up.

Emel · 02-08-2012, 17:05

Gosh! That's a different approach to the SPL's over Rangers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19096266

I am surprised. It will be good to keep the Bulls. I wonder how much the Sky contract played in this decision.

DaMac · 02-08-2012, 18:15

Bradford Bulls have been run badly.
Rangers had been run fraudulently.
Bit of a difference.

Emel · 04-08-2012, 21:13

ESPN will show 10 Rangers matches live.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19113843

SPL TV money only slightly down

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...down-doncaster

This is a pretty good result for Scottish Football and having the majority of Rangers matches must be a plus point for ESPN in what will be a very competitive Sports Channel market once BT Sport arrives.