Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. III. - Page 9

denphone · 08-07-2011, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1960

Thats because ESPN and SKY have a close relationship in the uk denphone anybody who thinks ESPN in the uk is going to take on SKY sports is only entertaining wishful thinking,do not belive me just look at the evidence so far.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...cup-sky-sports

From the article in the link.

Wolff says ESPN is happy for Sky to be the senior partner in the UK. "There will be markets where we bid against each other; there are other territories where we will not. You could have a very good second position in a market if that's the best business model you can build at that time." He adds: "We have a complex, multifaceted relationship with Sky [but] complex relationships aren't new to us. We just have to manage that."

Now does that sound like a company that is going to bid against SKY for major sporting rights in the uk.

But it would be good for competition if someone took Sky on.

08-07-2011, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

But it would be good for competition if someone took Sky on.

Agreed denphone but ESPNS relationship world wide with SKY is too close,and who else is big enough to do it SKY are too dominent and so it will remain i am afraid,that is why Murdoch is so desperate to own the whole lot ie mega money.

08-07-2011, 11:56

ESPN are making a loss over here which is not a surprise seeing as its free for us and still much cheaper than Sky Sports on other platforms so its unlikely they're going to be spending big money regardless of their relationship with Sky.

muppetman11 · 08-07-2011, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

ESPN are making a loss over here which is not a surprise seeing as its free for us and still much cheaper than Sky Sports on other platforms so its unlikely they're going to be spending big money regardless of their relationship with Sky.

I agree , their main market is the US and things won't change anytime soon , apart from maybe winning two EPL packs when the rights are agreed next , meaning 46 EPL games instead of 23.

Chad · 08-07-2011, 16:30

For me ESPN has turned out to be a real disappointment. I'm happy for the Amercian sports fans on this site as the coverage of basketball, Amercian football etc will be right up their street. I think I was expecting too much from them. I really hoped they'd be as good as Setanta Sports. Setanta aimed way too high, but they did give SKY a few bloody noses when it came to snapping up content.

denphone · 08-07-2011, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

For me ESPN has turned out to be a real disappointment. I'm happy for the Amercian sports fans on this site as the coverage of basketball, Amercian football etc will be right up their street. I think I was expecting too much from them. I really hoped they'd be as good as Setanta Sports. Setanta aimed way too high, but they did give SKY a few bloody noses when it came to snapping up content.

Yes l have to say as well that ESPN in my mind at the moment in the UK seem to be shopping in the bargain basement in their purchasing of certain sports rights and we shall see in the next year or two whether they are prepared to take on SKY.

Media Boy UK · 08-07-2011, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0j00

Just sky living at the moment but im sure others will follow.

I have just been told that more things will be added to Sky Anytime. But no launch dates was given.

TheDon · 08-07-2011, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

For me ESPN has turned out to be a real disappointment. I'm happy for the Amercian sports fans on this site as the coverage of basketball, Amercian football etc will be right up their street. I think I was expecting too much from them. I really hoped they'd be as good as Setanta Sports. Setanta aimed way too high, but they did give SKY a few bloody noses when it came to snapping up content.

You know ESPN hasn't really had much chance to bid for the major rights yet?
Judge them when they actually get a chance to bid on EPL rights rather than just inheriting what Setanta already had.

denphone · 08-07-2011, 18:35

Well we shall see next year when l think the EPL rights come on the market again.

08-07-2011, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Well we shall see next year when l think the EPL rights come on the market again.

My guess would be ESPN will end up with probably two packages,keeping SKY happy they still have the bulk whist doing enough to say the PL coverage is dispersed between a couple of providers,and therefore the EU will be happy.

denphone · 08-07-2011, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1960

My guess would be ESPN will end up with probably two packages,keeping SKY happy they still have the bulk whist doing enough to say the PL coverage is dispersed between a couple of providers,and therefore the EU will be happy.

You could well be right Richard but it would be nice if ESPN bid for some of the other sports rights.

08-07-2011, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

You could well be right Richard but it would be nice is ESPN bid for some of the other sports rights.

Yes i agree fairly recently a year or two ago Sky renewed their contract for cricket coverage with the ECB Sky won the television rights unopposed ESPN did not even make a bid i think,guess they could bid for more sports but seem unenclined at the moment to do so,wether that will change in the future remains to be seen,but in general i agree with you denphone it would be nice if they did.

08-07-2011, 18:54

They need more channels to begin with. American sports are often being broadcast on standard ESPN and not America so there is already an excess of content for one channel.

08-07-2011, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

They need more channels to begin with. American sports are often being broadcast on standard ESPN and not America so there is already an excess of content for one channel.

Yes thats a very good point i wonder why they could not have the american sports on ESPN america,leaving the standard channel to broadcast more uk/european content.

But they as you suggest need more channels to make a proper job of it.

muppetman11 · 08-07-2011, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1960

Yes thats a very good point i wonder why they could not have the american sports on ESPN america,leaving the standard channel to broadcast more uk/european content.

But they as you suggest need more channels to make a proper job of it.

That would make sense however a lot of fanatical US sports fans who sub to VM wouldnt be to happy if all their HD sport dried up , at least now they can watch a fair bit on ESPN HD.