The Russian teams will definitely have 5pm home games on matchdays 4 & 5 (they always play away from home on matchday 6) and in the round of 16, if they qualify.
As I've just posted earlier - Russia seem to be 7:45pm KO's now - CSKA at home tonight due to time difference only being +2 all year round.
As I've just posted earlier - Russia seem to be 7:45pm KO's now - CSKA at home tonight due to time difference only being +2 all year round.
As Russia has abolished daylight saving time, they're now in the same time zone as Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece during the summer months, where the local kick-off time is 21:45.
But the time difference changes from BST+2 to GMT+3 at the end of October. So they will still have early kick-offs during the winter months. Otherwise their CL home games would kick off at 22:45 local time, which isn't very convenient in November.
As for that other team with the A. Who are they? Perfect BT Freeview fodder.
Astana is in Northern Kazakhstan, about 1,700 miles (!) east/southeast of Moscow. Their time zone is GMT+6. Their home play-off game kicked off at 5pm BST which was 22:00 local time but in the earlier qualifying rounds, they played three hours earlier. It will be interesting to see the kick-off times for their home games in October & November.
I don't get why people believe BT will use up their FTA Showcase matches on 5pm matches from Russia or former USSR countries?
The main point of the FTA games is to sell the competition and sign up subscribers. Showing only the very least attractive games, in a timeslot that would mean most of its potential audience are either working or in a metal tin on the way home from work, would seriously downgrade the whole competition for potential subscribers.
No it's not to sell BT as the MAIN point. That's a sub point, as the MAIN point is that they have to show 12 matches FTA as part of the agreement.
It's works perfectly as they don't want people thinking "oh well I get 12 games free so why should I subscribe?". That's why last night's game was not that well promoted. Also its why if a FTA broadcast is involved in the share of any rights, the value drops. Watch F1 go full pay TV on the next deal.
Also remember if your watching that xrap match now ...well loook what is coming up later on BT Sport ...gets you wanting that little bit more. Wet the apatite and get you subing into the channel.
Well its FTA and BT arnt going to put it on rival platforms. They want you off sky and on to BTTV so helping break that attachment.
Satellite isn't a rival platform. They also have all of their main channels on it in HD.
They wouldn't even need to add it to the Sky EPG if they didn't want to, at least make it available on Freesat and it can be tuned manually by the savvy.
But it is a rival platform. BTTV is an IPTV service and Sky isnt. BT TV want you into the IPTV party and they arnt daft as they know many have some emotional attachment to Sky so breaking it will take some force ...or tricks like this.
I have always thought Sky subscribers have had a good deal by getting broadcast BT Sport free up until now as long as they were on BT Broadband. Seems I was right judging by the amount of squealing now going on.
No it's not to sell BT as the MAIN point. That's a sub point, as the MAIN point is that they have to show 12 matches FTA as part of the agreement.
It's works perfectly as they don't want people thinking "oh well I get 12 games free so why should I subscribe?". That's why last night's game was not that well promoted. Also its why if a FTA broadcast is involved in the share of any rights, the value drops. Watch F1 go full pay TV on the next deal.
Also remember if your watching that xrap match now ...well loook what is coming up later on BT Sport ...gets you wanting that little bit more. Wet the apatite and get you subing into the channel.
That's the point. How many will be watching that crap match in order for them to promote later offerings ;-)
What appetites would be whetted by Astana v whoever anyway?
If UEFA have demanded they show games FTA they are going to insist on a certain level of quality, especialy in relation to the audience that they serve.
They have also committed to each British (now English) team at least once....
Most importantly of all I feel - last night they picked the most attractive match to show. Using the logic I see posted here surely Astana v Apoel would've been used to entice viewers to sign up?
If UEFA have demanded they show games FTA they are going to insist on a certain level of quality, especialy in relation to the audience that they serve.
Judging by the 544x576 blurry mess, I doubt they're bothered by quality.
I have always thought Sky subscribers have had a good deal by getting broadcast BT Sport free up until now as long as they were on BT Broadband. Seems I was right judging by the amount of squealing now going on.
Having BT Broadband isn't necessarily the cheapest way to get BT Sport anyway. I pay £37/month for fibre, line Rental (with Sky) and standalone BT Sport with their Second Box option. BT were given the option to beat it, but weren't interested. It's their loss.
If UEFA have demanded they show games FTA they are going to insist on a certain level of quality, especialy in relation to the audience that they serve.
They have also committed to each British (now English) team at least once....
Most importantly of all I feel - last night they picked the most attractive match to show. Using the logic I see posted here surely Astana v Apoel would've been used to entice viewers to sign up?
Do you know this for a fact? All I have read is that BT offered to give up 12 games FTA, including each UK team once and the final of course. I suspect that UEFA will have no say on the game and quite frankly won't care as they are getting the nice pay day.
Last nights game may have been the best on offer, but more cynically they showed a nothing game, involving a UK side so now if you want to watch the group games that matter, well you need BT Sport as a Man U fan. It was just as many of us predicted would happen and I suspect those hoping BT are going to show "decent" games free will be disappointed.
The real question is when will they show the other UK sides? I guess they will be hoping each team is in a group with a dire looking side and nothing to play for ... however this gamble could be tricky.
Do you know this for a fact? All I have read is that BT offered to give up 12 games FTA, including each UK team once and the final of course. I suspect that UEFA will have no say on the game and quite frankly won't care as they are getting the nice pay day.
Last nights game may have been the best on offer, but more cynically they showed a nothing game, involving a UK side so now if you want to watch the group games that matter, well you need BT Sport as a Man U fan. It was just as many of us predicted would happen and I suspect those hoping BT are going to show "decent" games free will be disappointed.
The real question is when will they show the other UK sides? I guess they will be hoping each team is in a group with a dire looking side and nothing to play for ... however this gamble could be tricky.
I don't know anything for a fact, hence the use of the word "if"
So "if" UEFA wanted games FTA they did so for a reason and my best guess would be for maximum exposure of sponsors, otherwise what was the point (unless you can think of a better reason)?
This would also explain why each English team are also scheduled to be shown at least once.
Maximum exposure of the sponsors and/or the competition won't happen showing an Eastern European team in a 5pm game, no matter who is playing
BTW it's "at least" 12 games. This has been the statement in all written PR on the subject.
And, of course you need BT Sport to watch Manchester United in the Champions League - unless you're at the games of course. I suspect an absolute majority of those wishing to watch would be aware of this - free games or none.
Not to mention that on the platform most accessible to most potential subscribers the match was subscription only.
453k for last night's match on BT Sport Europe. Compared to 426k watching Sky's Barnsley v Everton match. Don't have a rating for how many watched on BT Sport Showcase but it was less than 400k.
The Sky EPG has been updated and the "No GFX L" message appears for every programme broadcast between midnight and 6AM every night next week.
I've noticed in recent nights that the horrific "L" is not present overnight, but it seems that this is now being formally extended to weeknights as opposed to simply weekends.
While this is a step in the right direction, we now have the ludicrous situation where you can watch one 2007/08 Champions League classic match in full screen glory - but the preceding programme, featuring a match from the very same competition, only inside the appalling L. Basically, if you watch the 11.30PM classic match, you are compelled to watch it in shrunken screen mode, yet the very next programme at midnight will be broadcast as it should be - in full screen without the on-screen clutter. What a farce.
When will BT just accept that the L is a demented idea that had no business ever being aired beyond the self-serving imagination of the creative genius who dreamt it up under the influence of very bad drugs or copious quantities of self-delusion.
When will BT just accept that the L is a demented idea that had no business ever being aired beyond the self-serving imagination of the creative genius who dreamt it up under the influence of very bad drugs or copious quantities of self-delusion.
Done worry Archie I think BT know they've messed up badly with the whole L idea and it's obvious they are slowly phasing it out altogether, so it will soon be a thing from the past.. Good riddance I say.
Oh and if your reading this BT - SACK the staff who thought up and gave the green light to the whole idea in the first place.
I was really looking forward to the repeat of Welling v Tranmere game which l went to earlier today only to find the dreaded 'L' shape spoiling my viewing! I quickly switched over to see the borderless cricket highlights on Channel 5.
I can't believe that the numbskulls of BT Sport are so naive thinking viewers are satisfied with this stupid arrangement!
Come on BT, we hate the 'L' shape and didn't cough up £5 a month to see yesterday's news rolling on and on and on!!!
453k for last night's match on BT Sport Europe. Compared to 426k watching Sky's Barnsley v Everton match. Don't have a rating for how many watched on BT Sport Showcase but it was less than 400k.
The BARB officials are out for the week of the first Showcase free match, but unfortunately no top ten.
The weekly reach figures are extremely low (374k), so the channel has made little impact.
Comments
As I've just posted earlier - Russia seem to be 7:45pm KO's now - CSKA at home tonight due to time difference only being +2 all year round.
As for that other team with the A. Who are they? Perfect BT Freeview fodder.
But the time difference changes from BST+2 to GMT+3 at the end of October. So they will still have early kick-offs during the winter months. Otherwise their CL home games would kick off at 22:45 local time, which isn't very convenient in November.
We best get supporting them.
The main point of the FTA games is to sell the competition and sign up subscribers. Showing only the very least attractive games, in a timeslot that would mean most of its potential audience are either working or in a metal tin on the way home from work, would seriously downgrade the whole competition for potential subscribers.
It's works perfectly as they don't want people thinking "oh well I get 12 games free so why should I subscribe?". That's why last night's game was not that well promoted. Also its why if a FTA broadcast is involved in the share of any rights, the value drops. Watch F1 go full pay TV on the next deal.
Also remember if your watching that xrap match now ...well loook what is coming up later on BT Sport ...gets you wanting that little bit more. Wet the apatite and get you subing into the channel.
They wouldn't even need to add it to the Sky EPG if they didn't want to, at least make it available on Freesat and it can be tuned manually by the savvy.
That's the point. How many will be watching that crap match in order for them to promote later offerings ;-)
What appetites would be whetted by Astana v whoever anyway?
If UEFA have demanded they show games FTA they are going to insist on a certain level of quality, especialy in relation to the audience that they serve.
They have also committed to each British (now English) team at least once....
Most importantly of all I feel - last night they picked the most attractive match to show. Using the logic I see posted here surely Astana v Apoel would've been used to entice viewers to sign up?
We were, of course, debating the quality of the matches but I take your point
Do you know this for a fact? All I have read is that BT offered to give up 12 games FTA, including each UK team once and the final of course. I suspect that UEFA will have no say on the game and quite frankly won't care as they are getting the nice pay day.
Last nights game may have been the best on offer, but more cynically they showed a nothing game, involving a UK side so now if you want to watch the group games that matter, well you need BT Sport as a Man U fan. It was just as many of us predicted would happen and I suspect those hoping BT are going to show "decent" games free will be disappointed.
The real question is when will they show the other UK sides? I guess they will be hoping each team is in a group with a dire looking side and nothing to play for ... however this gamble could be tricky.
I don't know anything for a fact, hence the use of the word "if"
So "if" UEFA wanted games FTA they did so for a reason and my best guess would be for maximum exposure of sponsors, otherwise what was the point (unless you can think of a better reason)?
This would also explain why each English team are also scheduled to be shown at least once.
Maximum exposure of the sponsors and/or the competition won't happen showing an Eastern European team in a 5pm game, no matter who is playing
BTW it's "at least" 12 games. This has been the statement in all written PR on the subject.
And, of course you need BT Sport to watch Manchester United in the Champions League - unless you're at the games of course. I suspect an absolute majority of those wishing to watch would be aware of this - free games or none.
Not to mention that on the platform most accessible to most potential subscribers the match was subscription only.
I've noticed in recent nights that the horrific "L" is not present overnight, but it seems that this is now being formally extended to weeknights as opposed to simply weekends.
While this is a step in the right direction, we now have the ludicrous situation where you can watch one 2007/08 Champions League classic match in full screen glory - but the preceding programme, featuring a match from the very same competition, only inside the appalling L. Basically, if you watch the 11.30PM classic match, you are compelled to watch it in shrunken screen mode, yet the very next programme at midnight will be broadcast as it should be - in full screen without the on-screen clutter. What a farce.
When will BT just accept that the L is a demented idea that had no business ever being aired beyond the self-serving imagination of the creative genius who dreamt it up under the influence of very bad drugs or copious quantities of self-delusion.
Archie.
Oh and if your reading this BT - SACK the staff who thought up and gave the green light to the whole idea in the first place.
I can't believe that the numbskulls of BT Sport are so naive thinking viewers are satisfied with this stupid arrangement!
Come on BT, we hate the 'L' shape and didn't cough up £5 a month to see yesterday's news rolling on and on and on!!!
The BARB officials are out for the week of the first Showcase free match, but unfortunately no top ten.
The weekly reach figures are extremely low (374k), so the channel has made little impact.