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

[1andrew1]

"Discovery’s first mission with Eurosport will be to make it more of a local service, according to David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications."
When asked if Eurosport would be interested in obaining major sports rights eg the Premier League, he said that it may make joint bids or leave the rights to large broadcasters. I strongly suspect the latter!
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/...rosport-plans/

---------- Post added at 18:52 ---------- Previous post was at 18:47 ----------

Originally Posted by Khenryashley

The question is how long has the NOW sky sports app been on the Apple TV?.

Since last December.
http://www.techradar.com/news/televi...tv-app-1208796

[denphone]

GAA to announce broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gael...orts-1.1740874

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by denphone

GAA to announce broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gael...orts-1.1740874

Great news I love a bit of Hurling and Gaelic football.

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Great news I love a bit of Hurling and Gaelic football.

This can often occur after too many bevvies and a dodgy curry.....

[denphone]

BT executive: 'count us out' of Channel 5 bid.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...-channel-5-bid

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by denphone

BT executive: 'count us out' of Channel 5 bid.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...-channel-5-bid

Of course, it may be a bluff to try to keep the bids low, but I think it is disappointing that BT don't appear to be up for Channel 5. If they are serious about being a channel provider, this would have been a good opportunity. I am now resigned to Channel 5 continuing to be an 'also ran' in the terrestrial line up. Not much for me on there.

[MaverickJesus]

I don't see why BT would have any interest at all in a free to air terrestrial TV channel. Doesn't fit with their business objectives at all.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by MaverickJesus

I don't see why BT would have any interest at all in a free to air terrestrial TV channel. Doesn't fit with their business objectives at all.

Spot on!

Meanwhile, it looks like BT Sport will be available via Google Chromecast, but only for BT broadband subscribers.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by MaverickJesus

I don't see why BT would have any interest at all in a free to air terrestrial TV channel. Doesn't fit with their business objectives at all.

How so?

I believe that owning Channel 5 could establish their credibility as a broadcaster with the general public and encourage potential customers over to BT Vision, where there could be an enhanced line-up of BT channels to increase interest in their TV service.

Sky has had a presence on Freeview with Pick TV (previously Sky 3) for a number of years, and they use this not only to bring in additional advertising revenue, but also to showcase their pay channels. BT taking over Channel 5 would be much more prominent and it would be a good lead-in to a later campaign to attract viewers over to them instead of Sky.

This does assume, of course, that BT intends to extend the range of its linear channels, which could include a bouquet of channels with BT Sport as part of that package. This in turn would increase interest in the overall BT offer of a competitive package including TV, broadband, mobile phones and landlines.

And that is where it is relevant. BT currently offers all four, but the TV side of it is weak compared with Sky and Virgin. Increasing the number of linear channels, with some in BT's own name, is bound to attract more people over to the service. Don't you think? And attracting customers to broadband is what their business objectives are all about.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

How so?

I believe that owning Channel 5 could establish their credibility as a broadcaster with the general public and encourage potential customers over to BT Vision, where there could be an enhanced line-up of BT channels to increase interest in their TV service.

Sky has had a presence on Freeview with Pick TV (previously Sky 3) for a number of years, and they use this not only to bring in additional advertising revenue, but also to showcase their pay channels. BT taking over Channel 5 would be much more prominent and it would be a good lead-in to a later campaign to attract viewers over to them instead of Sky.

This does assume, of course, that BT intends to extend the range of its linear channels, which could include a bouquet of channels with BT Sport as part of that package. This in turn would increase interest in the overall BT offer of a competitive package including TV, broadband, mobile phones and landlines.

And that is where it is relevant. BT currently offers all four, but the TV side of it is weak compared with Sky and Virgin. Increasing the number of linear channels, with some in BT's own name, is bound to attract more people over to the service. Don't you think? And attracting customers to broadband is what their business objectives are all about.

Pick TV showcases Sky's entertainment channels what do you expect BT to showcase on Channel 5 ? Considering they currently only own Sports channels.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Pick TV showcases Sky's entertainment channels what do you expect BT to showcase on Channel 5 ? Considering they currently only own Sports channels.

Read my next paragraph, muppetman. I said that this assumes that BT will develop additional channels, some in BT's own name.

About a year ago, BT indicated that it would be extending the range of linear channels on its platform, but I don't know if they have had a change of heart since then. But I do think that this is what they should do, because only then can they compete on a more level playing field with their main competitors.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

How so?
I believe that owning Channel 5 could establish their credibility as a broadcaster with the general public and encourage potential customers over to BT Vision, where there could be an enhanced line-up of BT channels to increase interest in their TV service.

BT has established its credentials for sports broadcasting, why does it need to invest in other general channels? At this stage it's trying to sell broadband, TV is secondary.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Sky has had a presence on Freeview with Pick TV (previously Sky 3) for a number of years, and they use this not only to bring in additional advertising revenue, but also to showcase their pay channels. BT taking over Channel 5 would be much more prominent and it would be a good lead-in to a later campaign to attract viewers over to them instead of Sky.

Channel 5 is a highly-regulated PSB service. Even if BT had the content, which it doesn't, it couldn't just use Channel 5 as a Pick TV type service. And buying Channel 5 doesn't bring with it much content. BT's John Petter stated "The lack of attractive programming formats does not just count us out as a suitor in the short term, it counts us out for any term".

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

This does assume, of course, that BT intends to extend the range of its linear channels, which could include a bouquet of channels with BT Sport as part of that package. This in turn would increase interest in the overall BT offer of a competitive package including TV, broadband, mobile phones and landlines.

OK, but I can't see any evidence that BT wants to go down this route for the time being.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

And that is where it is relevant. BT currently offers all four, but the TV side of it is weak compared with Sky and Virgin. Increasing the number of linear channels, with some in BT's own name, is bound to attract more people over to the service. Don't you think? And attracting customers to broadband is what their business objectives are all about.

If BT gave everyone a gold bar with BT TV then they would attract more people to the service. I don't think that's financially sensible nor is acquiring a content-light PSB. However, it may be sensible for BT to develop its own channels in the future but I can't see the numbers stacking up at the moment. Far better for it to continue adding third party channels which don't require heavy investment.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Read my next paragraph, muppetman. I said that this assumes that BT will develop additional channels, some in BT's own name.

About a year ago, BT indicated that it would be extending the range of linear channels on its platform, but I don't know if they have had a change of heart since then. But I do think that this is what they should do, because only then can they compete on a more level playing field with their main competitors.

Why do they need to start their own channels to compete ? VM don't own their own channels nor do Talk Talk who I believe are the fastest growing TV service in the UK at the moment.

BT TV doesn't require you to have a satellite dish and its fibre coverage a prerequisite for the internet channels on BT TV now covers a greater footprint than that of VM with government funding its hoped this coverage could reach 90% of UK homes.

At the moment I agree their TV service is lacking quite a few key channels however I'm sure BT will add these going forward making a decent triple play offering.

[OLD BOY]

I agree that BT does not necessarily have to invest in its own channels, but I would be surprised if they did not do this with time. However, they do need to improve their channel/on demand offering to be in the same league as their main rivals.

Regarding the point that TV is secondary, I think you have to bear in mind that all the major players have three or four packages on offer, and it's cheaper for consumers to buy into services this way. Why transfer from Sky or Virgin to get BT's broadband if they have an inferior TV offering?

For this reason, I think that BT's TV service is in need of some attention if they want to increase the number of broadband customers.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I agree that BT does not necessarily have to invest in its own channels, but I would be surprised if they did not do this with time. However, they do need to improve their channel/on demand offering to be in the same league as their main rivals.

Regarding the point that TV is secondary, I think you have to bear in mind that all the major players have three or four packages on offer, and it's cheaper for consumers to buy into services this way. Why transfer from Sky or Virgin to get BT's broadband if they have an inferior TV offering?

For this reason, I think that BT's TV service is in need of some attention if they want to increase the number of broadband customers.

BT YouView offers more than you think

http://decipherconsultancy.wordpress...sets-than-sky/