General : BT/TNT Sport on Discovery+

Originally Posted by jfman

Aligning both is arguably a necessary precursor to the end of the 3pm blackout.

That ridiculous "rule" should have been dumped years ago.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by jfman

Aligning both is arguably a necessary precursor to the end of the 3pm blackout.

I think this is the sub-plot.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

Despite the many predictions of a lost cost streaming future, I might add.

Not for sport, if you remember, although I think that will improve with consolidation.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Not for sport, if you remember, although I think that will improve with consolidation.

Yes, because nothing reduces prices like a couple of companies holding all the rights (cf Sky Sports)

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Not for sport, if you remember, although I think that will improve with consolidation.

I agree that if consolidation happens, this could lead to a reduction in fees paid for TV rights which ultimately could be passed onto the consumer. Likely not via a price reduction but a price freeze.

The trouble is that there have been too many companies out there willing to run TV sports broadcasting at a loss and hence provide sports with more competition for their rights, driving up prices.

The UK's only hope for no increases in pay TV sports prices must be that DAZN stays away from major sports and that the duopoly of TNT Sports and Sky Sports for major rights continues.

[1andrew1]

Looks like there could be a three-way split for c250 Premier League rights. Maybe DAZN 50 games, TNT 50 games, Sky 150 games?

• DAZN has confirmed it will be involved in the bidding process.
• Premier League is hoping for £4bn pa for all rights, international and dometic. This is up from £3.47bn a year. However, £3.47bn has been the price for six seasons at a time of very high inflation.
• New four-year deal domestic broadcast tender document being sent out this month. (Previous deals were for three years)
• Games on offer will rise from 200 to 250-270.
• There will be fewer packages of games - likely five packages with 50-54 games per package so no light package like the current one Amazon has.
• Sunday evening games won't be included.
• More games will come from:
  - Monday and Friday nights
  - Saturday lunchtimes and tea-times
  - Three slots across Sundays
  - Various midweek matches

See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-TV-fight.html

[jfman]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Looks like there could be a three-way split for c250 Premier League rights. Maybe DAZN 50 games, TNT 50 games, Sky 150 games?

• DAZN has confirmed it will be involved in the bidding process.
• Premier League is hoping for £4bn pa for all rights, international and dometic. This is up from £3.47bn a year. However, £3.47bn has been the price for six seasons at a time of very high inflation.
• New four-year deal domestic broadcast tender document being sent out this month. (Previous deals were for three years)
• Games on offer will rise from 200 to 250-270.
• There will be fewer packages of games - likely five packages with 50-54 games per package so no light package like the current one Amazon has.
• Sunday evening games won't be included.
• More games will come from:
  - Friday nights
  - Saturday lunchtimes
  - Saturday tea-times games
  - Three slots across Sundays
  - More Monday games
  - Various midweek matches peppered across the season.

See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-TV-fight.html

I'll believe the DAZN bid when I see it. Even their actual statement doesn't commit to an actual bid - one could reasonably interpret that as being in discussions to understand the bidding process more.

‘We will be involved in the bidding process'

At least we now know what I've always expected the bargain basement Amazon offer was only viable because it was so cheap. It's interesting that, despite being one of the largest companies on the world, it doesn't sound like there's any appetite to jump in for 50 games at market value.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by jfman

I'll believe the DAZN bid when I see it. Even their actual statement doesn't commit to an actual bid - one could reasonably interpret that as being in discussions to understand the bidding process more.

At least we now know what I've always expected the bargain basement Amazon offer was only viable because it was so cheap. It's interesting that, despite being one of the largest companies on the world, it doesn't sound like there's any appetite to jump in for 50 games at market value.

The Amazon experiment would have been cancelled after three years if the rights hadn't been rolled over because of Covid.

If DAZN don't get involved now, then I doubt they ever will! TNT's owners are likely to focus more on the bottom line now the channel's role is not to be a loss-leader for BT broadband subscriptions. And there's cheap sports rights to be plucked from Viasport UK if filler rights are needed to bulk up the DAZN offer.

But having three players with 50+ matches each will be pricey and encourage alternative sourcing.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Yes, because nothing reduces prices like a couple of companies holding all the rights (cf Sky Sports)

I think it is clear to most that it is cheaper for sports fans if as many sports were provided by a limited number of providers rather than having to pay for subscriptions to multiple providers.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I think it is clear to most that it is cheaper for sports fans if as many sports were provided by a limited number of providers rather than having to pay for subscriptions to multiple providers.

However the bigger number controled the better chance of getting a premium. Time will tell perhaps

[Rillington]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Looks like there could be a three-way split for c250 Premier League rights. Maybe DAZN 50 games, TNT 50 games, Sky 150 games?

I think that's not a bad guess. In fact I'd e very surprised if DAZN does't pick up some PL games.

[ozsat]

DAZN already have EPL deals for coverage around the world so would not actually be new to the tv rights people.

Originally Posted by Rillington

I think that's not a bad guess. In fact I'd e very surprised if DAZN does't pick up some PL games.