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

[DaMac]

Originally Posted by tvtimes

That's bull, BT are not Setanta and the FA cup rights do not cost that much as Sky aren't that bothered about them.

The reason they don't cost that much is because some of the matches have to be fta, just like the champions league, which means itv or bbc only have to outbid each other, and sky or ESPN then only have to match a percentage of that bid.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

As we are paying for the Sports package that includes ESPN. And we are not getting the channels. Can we ask for a discount for the loss of them - even though they are free.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

As we are paying for the Sports package that includes ESPN. And we are not getting the channels. Can we ask for a discount for the loss of them - even though they are free.

You can ask, Arthur, but you won't get it. The price didn't go up when Setanta was added to the XL package, so why would there be any expectation of a refund when it's taken off?

[tvtimes]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

You can ask, Arthur, but you won't get it. The price didn't go up when Setanta was added to the XL package, so why would there be any expectation of a refund when it's taken off?

This, very true! I thought you would have known that Arthur to be honest matey.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

I bet they'll get the (Monday?) night games from BBC Sport, as they'll have £0 left in the kitty after the FA Cup.

Its an interesting one MNF does not have a large TV audience in the UK because of the 1.30am ko . The choices of games on MNF are not that great this season so I could see it staying free to air.

[nstokes]

Originally Posted by Chad

The Champions League rights are up for renewal in the next couple of months. Imagine if BT wrestled them away from SKY.

That would be good but wont happen

Originally Posted by denphone

That won't happen in my humble opinion.

I agree

Originally Posted by telegramsam

I can`t see BT getting champion league off sky but maybe off ITV?

Me ethier

Originally Posted by tvtimes

That's bull, BT are not Setanta and the FA cup rights do not cost that much as Sky aren't that bothered about them.

I'm talking about NFL Monday Night games, as in American Football.

BBC Sport spent basically all their budget on the upcoming FA Cup rights deal, so they won't bother defending their NFL coverage (if/when BT bid for it) which was on the Red Button anyway.

[Dave42]

BT passes 1 million subscriber mark for sports channels

LONDON | Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:13pm BST

(Reuters) - More than 1 million households have signed up to take the new sports service from Britain's telecom operator BT (BT.L) in what it said was an endorsement of the strategy to use pay-TV to protect its traditional business.

The former telecoms monopoly will go head-to-head with the Rupert Murdoch-founded BSkyB (BSY.L) this weekend with the start of the new English Premier League after it shocked the industry by winning the rights to premium sports last year.

The 168-year-old BT has agreed to pay 246 million pounds per season to show 38 live football matches, putting it up against the dominant pay-TV group BSkyB which has the rights to 116 games per season.

As part of its plan to defend its key broadband business, BT will supply the new sports channels free to its existing broadband customers who renew their contracts or to those who sign up as new customers for BT broadband.

The more than 1 million households it has added since it started taking orders in May is made up of existing and new broadband customers, and those BSkyB satellite customers who are paying extra to also take BT channels. It did not break out how many new broadband customers it has attracted.

BT said in July that more than 500,000 households had signed up to the new sports service, which indicates the rate of people joining has accelerated ahead of the start of the new football season.

By comparison, BSkyB has 10.4 million TV subscribers, however that includes those on basic TV packages as well as Sky Sports.

"We always said that BT Sport would help us retain and attract broadband customers and that is proving to be the case," said John Petter, the managing director of the BT consumer division. "We are rewarding our customers for their loyalty and the strategy is working."

Separately, a person familiar with the situation said the group was close to agreeing a wholesale deal with cable operator Virgin Media (LBTYA.O). Any wholesale deal would increase the number of viewers watching the channels, and allow BT to charge more to advertisers.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Erica Billingham)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/0...97B0KG20130812

Mod Edit - post edited to make it more readable.....

[paul nolan]

"More than a million households are ready and equipped to enjoy the start of the Barclays Premier League on BT Sport this coming weekend."

How many people are like my mate. Who is on BT Infinity, and therefore "ready and equipped", but has less than zero interest in watching BT Sport on his TV or his computer?

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by paul nolan

"More than a million households are ready and equipped to enjoy the start of the Barclays Premier League on BT Sport this coming weekend."

How many people are like my mate. Who is on BT Infinity, and therefore "ready and equipped", but has less than zero interest in watching BT Sport on his TV or his computer?

Ah, good spot!

Originally Posted by paul nolan

"More than a million households are ready and equipped to enjoy the start of the Barclays Premier League on BT Sport this coming weekend."

How many people are like my mate. Who is on BT Infinity, and therefore "ready and equipped", but has less than zero interest in watching BT Sport on his TV or his computer?

None, because existing customers had to re-contract to get BT Sport so he won't have and therefore won't have access to it.

[paul nolan]

Originally Posted by Jameseh

None, because existing customers had to re-contract to get BT Sport so he won't have and therefore won't have access to it.

"Ready and Equipped": That choice of wording in a press release HEAVILY implies they have also include people who have not chosen to re-contract for the channel.

Good old marketing propaganda, worded by people who are VERY well paid manipulate thoughts with words.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Its an interesting one MNF does not have a large TV audience in the UK because of the 1.30am ko . The choices of games on MNF are not that great this season so I could see it staying free to air.

This might interest you:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/...0803-1839a.mp3

This was broadcast 9 days ago on BBC Radio Scotland. Listen from 3:51 to 4:24. Whilst it's a BBC production one of the presenters, Stuart Cosgrove, also works as Channel 4's director of creative diversity. Looks like NFL could be on the BBC or Channel 4 if the last comment made at 4:24 is serious.

[harry_hitch]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Doesn't say exactly how many of those are new, paying customers.

BT Broadband has around 6.5 million existing customers, it's a fair bet quite a few of those will be signing up for 'free' BT Sports.

Sky is currently running a free broadband offer for Sky Sports customers.

It will be interesting to see how all this pans out - it seems somewhat high risk from BT's point of view unless they can sign up lots of NEW, paying customers. Otherwise a very, very expensive way to retain their existing customer base.

Getting a guaranteed amount from VM each month will help, as will the increased advertising revenues
Also, now BT have details of many new customers, they will be able to try and sell phone packages to BB subscribers and phone and BB packages to paying BT Sports customers.
I believe they will make a good return from this investment.

Originally Posted by paul nolan

"Ready and Equipped": That choice of wording in a press release HEAVILY implies they have also include people who have not chosen to re-contract for the channel.

Good old marketing propaganda, worded by people who are VERY well paid manipulate thoughts with words.

So you're saying BT actively promote their entire broadband userbase as just "over a million"?