BT in talks to take FA Cup and foreign league rights from ESPN.

stej86 · 14-09-2012, 23:16

BT in ESPN talks

BT Vision, having just bought ESPN's English club rugby content as well as their French club rugby rights, are understood to be in talks with the Disney-owned network over taking even more of what's left of their sports portfolio. BT, building a sports channel around their 38 games a season of Premier League football, have also poached highly rated football producer Stephen Cook from ESPN, whose UK operation is doomed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...#ixzz26U8PcuMm

Mr Teacake · 14-09-2012, 23:19

Setanta-ESPN-BT?

Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise

stej86 · 14-09-2012, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Teacake

Setanta-ESPN-BT?

Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise

I think it will be different for BT though. They have huge huge cash reserves which dwarf even Sky's.

They made bids for all of the premier league packages and expect them next time to get more than 2.

Sky should be worried i think. See this article for why

http://www.birminghampost.net/midlan...5233-31758030/

jamcambs · 15-09-2012, 06:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Teacake

Setanta-ESPN-BT?

Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise

The thing is BT havent acquired marginal rights to PL games. They have acquired TOP games.

ney · 15-09-2012, 08:50

Its about time someone else came along and tried to take on Sky and this time not fail.

Darren

JSemple3 · 15-09-2012, 11:26

Funny how things can change so dramatically in a way (Always thought it would be ESPN dwarfing sky for things) Now it's BT doing it? Would have laughed if somebody had said that 6 months ago but now look where we are. Amazing.

promo-only · 15-09-2012, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSemple3

Funny how things can change so dramatically in a way (Always thought it would be ESPN dwarfing sky for things) Now it's BT doing it? Would have laughed if somebody had said that 6 months ago but now look where we are. Amazing.

Where are we now? BT haven't dwarfed Sky for anything - they're still very comfortable with their 116 Premier League matches next season. The reality is that unless BT can bring about an effective buyout of ESPN for their live portfolio then they're going to struggle with 38 matches per season.

It would have become a vastly different landscape if they'd managed to outbid Sky on more than 2 packages but as it stands they only managed to take what Sky weren't allowed to have. It would be nice to think that BT are in it for the long haul but let's not convince ourselves they care about people more than Sky. They're doing this purely to make money off the back of triple play subscribers.

tiger2000 · 15-09-2012, 12:12

The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price.

JSemple3 · 15-09-2012, 12:15

I meant with my post above you would have never imagined BT bidding for any sports rights so many months ago. I never thought they had the money to be downright honest but they got rugby and some big premier league games. I would always have expected it to be a straight Sky/ESPN battle for rights

stej86 · 15-09-2012, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Teacake

Setanta-ESPN-BT?

Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise

BT have acquired a large amount of live and exclusive top first choice premier league matches. This is expected to include one of the Manchester Derbys (Manchester United v Manchester City) and other top matches including Chelsea v Arsenal.

They are by no means marginal rights and are hugely more important than the rights Setanta or ESPN have ever held.

promo-only · 15-09-2012, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSemple3

I meant with my post above you would have never imagined BT bidding for any sports rights so many months ago. I never thought they had the money to be downright honest but they got rugby and some big premier league games. I would always have expected it to be a straight Sky/ESPN battle for rights

Agreed. It did come as a shock to everybody. It's funny how ESPN had virtually taken themselves out of the running months before the tender documents were issued when the world thought Al Jazeera would mount a big money assault... it's still amusing to think BT in fact were the ones to come in and not a single person had them on the radar! They took cover underneath the hype of Al Jazeera and ran with it, grabbing themselves 2 packages of live matches.

The next very interesting part of all this is how their picks will work. Do Sky have control over when BT can use their picks or do BT still have control by way of the alphabetical order rule? How much will the limits on teams being shown and lack of 2nd and 3rd picks affect the quality of BT's games? 1st pick matches are great when bundled in with packages containing 2nd and 3rd picks etc but on their own, even though it sounds great, they don't have quite as much of an impact.

stej86 · 15-09-2012, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by promo-only

Agreed. It did come as a shock to everybody. It's funny how ESPN had virtually taken themselves out of the running months before the tender documents were issued when the world thought Al Jazeera would mount a big money assault... it's still amusing to think BT in fact were the ones to come in and not a single person had them on the radar! They took cover underneath the hype of Al Jazeera and ran with it, grabbing themselves 2 packages of live matches.

The next very interesting part of all this is how their picks will work. Do Sky have control over when BT can use their picks or do BT still have control by way of the alphabetical order rule? How much will the limits on teams being shown and lack of 2nd and 3rd picks affect the quality of BT's games? 1st pick matches are great when bundled in with packages containing 2nd and 3rd picks etc but on their own, even though it sounds great, they don't have quite as much of an impact.

I think they will have a huge impact. Manchester United v Manchester City, Liverpool v Arsenal, Chelsea v Tottenham, Liverpool v Everton, Manchester United v Arsenal type matches live and exclusive on BT Vision will not be able to be ignored by any football fan.

We need to accept times have now changed. The title decider and vital relegation matches could well be live and exclusive on BT vision and not Sky for the first time since the premier league started.

promo-only · 15-09-2012, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by stej86

I think they will have a huge impact. Manchester United v Manchester City, Liverpool v Arsenal, Chelsea v Tottenham, Liverpool v Everton, Manchester United v Arsenal type matches live and exclusive on BT Vision will not be able to be ignored by any football fan.

We need to accept times have now changed. The title decider and vital relegation matches could well be live and exclusive on BT vision and not Sky for the first time since the premier league started.

But it all depends on other factors too. How many times they've already shown the teams involved and most importantly the week on which the fixtures fall. One thing BT do have in their favour is the early kick off slot because there are no fixtures that can't be played there - i.e. sensitive fixtures that aren't allowed to kick off later in the day due to police advice.

We don't quite yet need to accept that times have changed - it's a big step in that direction for the simple fact they've got just under half the available 1st picks but if they truly want to be a game changer they need to further bolster their attack in the 2015 rights sale by securing more follow-up picks with 2nd choices and so on. Sky will still have the most big games next year for that fact alone. Also keep in mind that they're only showing 38 live matches as opposed to Sky's 116 - that's quite a difference.

Hup_73 · 15-09-2012, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by promo-only

But it all depends on other factors too. How many times they've already shown the teams involved and most importantly the week on which the fixtures fall. One thing BT do have in their favour is the early kick off slot because there are no fixtures that can't be played there - i.e. sensitive fixtures that aren't allowed to kick off later in the day due to police advice.

We don't quite yet need to accept that times have changed - it's a big step in that direction for the simple fact they've got just under half the available 1st picks but if they truly want to be a game changer they need to further bolster their attack in the 2015 rights sale by securing more follow-up picks with 2nd choices and so on. Sky will still have the most big games next year for that fact alone. Also keep in mind that they're only showing 38 live matches as opposed to Sky's 116 - that's quite a difference.

The different time slots will play a huge factor in what games can be picked, and unfortunately the early kick off is not problem free. Europa League games on a Thursday night will mean that there will be some weeks where Liverpool/Spurs can't be picked for the early Saturday slot - if that coincides with a top pick match eg Liverpool vs Man Utd, then BT will have to go with a 2nd choice pick while Sky pick up the top match for their Sunday 4pm slot.

All that said though, it doesn't change the fact that the BT matches will be significantly better (with some big big games) than what ESPN currently offer!!!

promo-only · 15-09-2012, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hup_73

The different time slots will play a huge factor in what games can be picked, and unfortunately the early kick off is not problem free. Europa League games on a Thursday night will mean that there will be some weeks where Liverpool/Spurs can't be picked for the early Saturday slot - if that coincides with a top pick match eg Liverpool vs Man Utd, then BT will have to go with a 2nd choice pick while Sky pick up the top match for their Sunday 4pm slot.

All that said though, it doesn't change the fact that the BT matches will be significantly better (with some big big games) than what ESPN currently offer!!!

Yes, that's a great addition that I forgot to include. Their choices will be further limited when that is factored in.

Don't forget BT would only be able to go with a 2nd choice match that week (as per your example) if it was their turn and in the correct round. It could fall on one of their 4th pick rounds. For the 12.45 games in package A they've got 13 1st and 13 4th picks, meaning they'll have some of the 'better' games but equally the same amount of the 'worst' pick games as well (i.e the ones Sky doesn't want when they get picks 1, 2 & 3). Their best chance of a big game is if the fixtures throw up decent ones on midweeks/bank holidays because they have exclusivity to exercise their 1st and 2nd picks.

Richard1960 · 16-09-2012, 10:46

Perhaps BT can come up with an advert as smug as this one when sky withdrew its sports news offering on freeview .

When BT got access to sky sports 1/2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSc10RVyYKw

Rambler80 · 16-09-2012, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger2000

The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price.

Initially, I thought BT entering thje market would be good but they are now acquiring more rights - including a very uncertain future for English rugby/Heineken Cup - you are dead right in your comments.

Richard1960 · 16-09-2012, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger2000

The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price.

Yes and no yes in that there is content spread over a couple of pay tv providers Sky and ESPN.

And no in the fact you can pay ESPN a tenner and still get some good content without having to buy a sky sports sub.

And on VM that content is included in TVXL at no extra cost.

stej86 · 16-09-2012, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard1960

Perhaps BT can come up with an advert as smug as this one when sky withdrew its sports news offering on freeview .

When BT got access to sky sports 1/2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSc10RVyYKw

That bloke is such a smug little t***.

The girl though phawww how hard would you slam her if any of you men got half a chance.

hd-media-nut · 16-09-2012, 16:30

does anybody know if B/T will show the games live on I.T.V. as was rummerd last month on digital spy, or will they try and go down the E.S.P.N. route of using the sky platform with sky promoting the channel e.g £10 a month?

promo-only · 16-09-2012, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by hd-media-nut

does anybody know if B/T will show the games live on I.T.V. as was rummerd last month on digital spy, or will they try and go down the E.S.P.N. route of using the sky platform with sky promoting the channel e.g £10 a month?

It transpired that the ITV talks were more based around production etc as opposed to airing matches. If matches were to be aired it would only be 1 or 2 but I doubt that will happen.

They'll make their channel available on all platforms but as to how it will be packaged is anybody's guess. I firmly believe it'll be offered bundled to top tier BT subscribers as with the current ESPN set-up. The interesting point is how it's going to be made available on the Sky platform... will they be a part of it or will they go stand-alone. There is plenty of room for negotiation from both parties so it should be quite interesting as we get further through the current football season and close in on the 2013 one.

Hup_73 · 16-09-2012, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard1960

Yes and no yes in that there is content spread over a couple of pay tv providers Sky and ESPN.

And no in the fact you can pay ESPN a tenner and still get some good content without having to buy a sky sports sub.

And on VM that content is included in TVXL at no extra cost.

Agreed, while the splitting of the sports rights might be a disaster for some, I know plenty of people who now enjoy some quality sports through ESPN for a tenner, who weren't getting any sports before. So not ideal for some, but definitely not all.

jamcambs · 16-09-2012, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hup_73

Agreed, while the splitting of the sports rights might be a disaster for some, I know plenty of people who now enjoy some quality sports through ESPN for a tenner, who weren't getting any sports before. So not ideal for some, but definitely not all.

Exactly you can now get sport without having to take extra channels.

jamcambs · 17-09-2012, 17:33

BT Vision CEO Marc Watson says Ligue 1, Serie A, MLS and Brasileirao rights have been added to Premier League packages. Not announced yet."
(Source: James Emmett, SportsPro Media, 13th September 2012)

promo-only · 17-09-2012, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamcambs

BT Vision CEO Marc Watson says Ligue 1, Serie A, MLS and Brasileirao rights have been added to Premier League packages. Not announced yet."
(Source: James Emmett, SportsPro Media, 13th September 2012)

Not surprised me in the slightest. I've been saying for a while that BT's channel will effectively be a rebranded ESPN... this further supports that. Wonder if they'll take over Bundesliga too.

14-09-2012, 23:16	#1
stej86 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 785	BT in talks to take FA Cup and foreign league rights from ESPN. BT in ESPN talks BT Vision, having just bought ESPN's English club rugby content as well as their French club rugby rights, are understood to be in talks with the Disney-owned network over taking even more of what's left of their sports portfolio. BT, building a sports channel around their 38 games a season of Premier League football, have also poached highly rated football producer Stephen Cook from ESPN, whose UK operation is doomed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/art...#ixzz26U8PcuMm

14-09-2012, 23:19	#2
Mr Teacake Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3,945	Setanta-ESPN-BT? Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise

14-09-2012, 23:21	#3
stej86 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 785	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Teacake Setanta-ESPN-BT? Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise I think it will be different for BT though. They have huge huge cash reserves which dwarf even Sky's. They made bids for all of the premier league packages and expect them next time to get more than 2. Sky should be worried i think. See this article for why http://www.birminghampost.net/midlan...5233-31758030/

15-09-2012, 06:17	#4
jamcambs Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 575	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Teacake Setanta-ESPN-BT? Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise The thing is BT havent acquired marginal rights to PL games. They have acquired TOP games.

15-09-2012, 08:50	#5
ney Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Scotland, Dunfermline Area Posts: 10,705	Its about time someone else came along and tried to take on Sky and this time not fail. Darren

15-09-2012, 11:26	#6
JSemple3 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,677	Funny how things can change so dramatically in a way (Always thought it would be ESPN dwarfing sky for things) Now it's BT doing it? Would have laughed if somebody had said that 6 months ago but now look where we are. Amazing.

15-09-2012, 12:09	#7
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by JSemple3 Funny how things can change so dramatically in a way (Always thought it would be ESPN dwarfing sky for things) Now it's BT doing it? Would have laughed if somebody had said that 6 months ago but now look where we are. Amazing. Where are we now? BT haven't dwarfed Sky for anything - they're still very comfortable with their 116 Premier League matches next season. The reality is that unless BT can bring about an effective buyout of ESPN for their live portfolio then they're going to struggle with 38 matches per season. It would have become a vastly different landscape if they'd managed to outbid Sky on more than 2 packages but as it stands they only managed to take what Sky weren't allowed to have. It would be nice to think that BT are in it for the long haul but let's not convince ourselves they care about people more than Sky. They're doing this purely to make money off the back of triple play subscribers.

15-09-2012, 12:12	#8
tiger2000 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 7,158	The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price.

15-09-2012, 12:15	#9
JSemple3 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,677	I meant with my post above you would have never imagined BT bidding for any sports rights so many months ago. I never thought they had the money to be downright honest but they got rugby and some big premier league games. I would always have expected it to be a straight Sky/ESPN battle for rights

15-09-2012, 12:42	#10
stej86 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 785	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Teacake Setanta-ESPN-BT? Why does acquiring the marginal rights to live PL football lead to demise BT have acquired a large amount of live and exclusive top first choice premier league matches. This is expected to include one of the Manchester Derbys (Manchester United v Manchester City) and other top matches including Chelsea v Arsenal. They are by no means marginal rights and are hugely more important than the rights Setanta or ESPN have ever held.

15-09-2012, 12:43	#11
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by JSemple3 I meant with my post above you would have never imagined BT bidding for any sports rights so many months ago. I never thought they had the money to be downright honest but they got rugby and some big premier league games. I would always have expected it to be a straight Sky/ESPN battle for rights Agreed. It did come as a shock to everybody. It's funny how ESPN had virtually taken themselves out of the running months before the tender documents were issued when the world thought Al Jazeera would mount a big money assault... it's still amusing to think BT in fact were the ones to come in and not a single person had them on the radar! They took cover underneath the hype of Al Jazeera and ran with it, grabbing themselves 2 packages of live matches. The next very interesting part of all this is how their picks will work. Do Sky have control over when BT can use their picks or do BT still have control by way of the alphabetical order rule? How much will the limits on teams being shown and lack of 2nd and 3rd picks affect the quality of BT's games? 1st pick matches are great when bundled in with packages containing 2nd and 3rd picks etc but on their own, even though it sounds great, they don't have quite as much of an impact.

15-09-2012, 12:48	#12
stej86 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 785	Quote: Originally Posted by promo-only Agreed. It did come as a shock to everybody. It's funny how ESPN had virtually taken themselves out of the running months before the tender documents were issued when the world thought Al Jazeera would mount a big money assault... it's still amusing to think BT in fact were the ones to come in and not a single person had them on the radar! They took cover underneath the hype of Al Jazeera and ran with it, grabbing themselves 2 packages of live matches. The next very interesting part of all this is how their picks will work. Do Sky have control over when BT can use their picks or do BT still have control by way of the alphabetical order rule? How much will the limits on teams being shown and lack of 2nd and 3rd picks affect the quality of BT's games? 1st pick matches are great when bundled in with packages containing 2nd and 3rd picks etc but on their own, even though it sounds great, they don't have quite as much of an impact. I think they will have a huge impact. Manchester United v Manchester City, Liverpool v Arsenal, Chelsea v Tottenham, Liverpool v Everton, Manchester United v Arsenal type matches live and exclusive on BT Vision will not be able to be ignored by any football fan. We need to accept times have now changed. The title decider and vital relegation matches could well be live and exclusive on BT vision and not Sky for the first time since the premier league started.

15-09-2012, 12:57	#13
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by stej86 I think they will have a huge impact. Manchester United v Manchester City, Liverpool v Arsenal, Chelsea v Tottenham, Liverpool v Everton, Manchester United v Arsenal type matches live and exclusive on BT Vision will not be able to be ignored by any football fan. We need to accept times have now changed. The title decider and vital relegation matches could well be live and exclusive on BT vision and not Sky for the first time since the premier league started. But it all depends on other factors too. How many times they've already shown the teams involved and most importantly the week on which the fixtures fall. One thing BT do have in their favour is the early kick off slot because there are no fixtures that can't be played there - i.e. sensitive fixtures that aren't allowed to kick off later in the day due to police advice. We don't quite yet need to accept that times have changed - it's a big step in that direction for the simple fact they've got just under half the available 1st picks but if they truly want to be a game changer they need to further bolster their attack in the 2015 rights sale by securing more follow-up picks with 2nd choices and so on. Sky will still have the most big games next year for that fact alone. Also keep in mind that they're only showing 38 live matches as opposed to Sky's 116 - that's quite a difference.

15-09-2012, 16:56	#14
Hup_73 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 301	Quote: Originally Posted by promo-only But it all depends on other factors too. How many times they've already shown the teams involved and most importantly the week on which the fixtures fall. One thing BT do have in their favour is the early kick off slot because there are no fixtures that can't be played there - i.e. sensitive fixtures that aren't allowed to kick off later in the day due to police advice. We don't quite yet need to accept that times have changed - it's a big step in that direction for the simple fact they've got just under half the available 1st picks but if they truly want to be a game changer they need to further bolster their attack in the 2015 rights sale by securing more follow-up picks with 2nd choices and so on. Sky will still have the most big games next year for that fact alone. Also keep in mind that they're only showing 38 live matches as opposed to Sky's 116 - that's quite a difference. The different time slots will play a huge factor in what games can be picked, and unfortunately the early kick off is not problem free. Europa League games on a Thursday night will mean that there will be some weeks where Liverpool/Spurs can't be picked for the early Saturday slot - if that coincides with a top pick match eg Liverpool vs Man Utd, then BT will have to go with a 2nd choice pick while Sky pick up the top match for their Sunday 4pm slot. All that said though, it doesn't change the fact that the BT matches will be significantly better (with some big big games) than what ESPN currently offer!!!

15-09-2012, 17:19	#15
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by Hup_73 The different time slots will play a huge factor in what games can be picked, and unfortunately the early kick off is not problem free. Europa League games on a Thursday night will mean that there will be some weeks where Liverpool/Spurs can't be picked for the early Saturday slot - if that coincides with a top pick match eg Liverpool vs Man Utd, then BT will have to go with a 2nd choice pick while Sky pick up the top match for their Sunday 4pm slot. All that said though, it doesn't change the fact that the BT matches will be significantly better (with some big big games) than what ESPN currently offer!!! Yes, that's a great addition that I forgot to include. Their choices will be further limited when that is factored in. Don't forget BT would only be able to go with a 2nd choice match that week (as per your example) if it was their turn and in the correct round. It could fall on one of their 4th pick rounds. For the 12.45 games in package A they've got 13 1st and 13 4th picks, meaning they'll have some of the 'better' games but equally the same amount of the 'worst' pick games as well (i.e the ones Sky doesn't want when they get picks 1, 2 & 3). Their best chance of a big game is if the fixtures throw up decent ones on midweeks/bank holidays because they have exclusivity to exercise their 1st and 2nd picks.

16-09-2012, 10:46	#16
Richard1960 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13,433	Perhaps BT can come up with an advert as smug as this one when sky withdrew its sports news offering on freeview . When BT got access to sky sports 1/2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSc10RVyYKw

16-09-2012, 11:42	#17
Rambler80 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 339	Quote: Originally Posted by tiger2000 The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price. Initially, I thought BT entering thje market would be good but they are now acquiring more rights - including a very uncertain future for English rugby/Heineken Cup - you are dead right in your comments.

16-09-2012, 11:48	#18
Richard1960 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13,433	Quote: Originally Posted by tiger2000 The splitting up of the Premier League rights has been a disaster for the consumer, it was ment to promote competition and reduce subscription rates, it has had exactly the opposite effect and the customer is paying the price. Yes and no yes in that there is content spread over a couple of pay tv providers Sky and ESPN. And no in the fact you can pay ESPN a tenner and still get some good content without having to buy a sky sports sub. And on VM that content is included in TVXL at no extra cost.

16-09-2012, 16:01	#19
stej86 Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 785	Quote: Originally Posted by Richard1960 Perhaps BT can come up with an advert as smug as this one when sky withdrew its sports news offering on freeview . When BT got access to sky sports 1/2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSc10RVyYKw That bloke is such a smug little t***. The girl though phawww how hard would you slam her if any of you men got half a chance.

16-09-2012, 16:30	#20
hd-media-nut Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 84	does anybody know if B/T will show the games live on I.T.V. as was rummerd last month on digital spy, or will they try and go down the E.S.P.N. route of using the sky platform with sky promoting the channel e.g £10 a month?

16-09-2012, 16:37	#21
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by hd-media-nut does anybody know if B/T will show the games live on I.T.V. as was rummerd last month on digital spy, or will they try and go down the E.S.P.N. route of using the sky platform with sky promoting the channel e.g £10 a month? It transpired that the ITV talks were more based around production etc as opposed to airing matches. If matches were to be aired it would only be 1 or 2 but I doubt that will happen. They'll make their channel available on all platforms but as to how it will be packaged is anybody's guess. I firmly believe it'll be offered bundled to top tier BT subscribers as with the current ESPN set-up. The interesting point is how it's going to be made available on the Sky platform... will they be a part of it or will they go stand-alone. There is plenty of room for negotiation from both parties so it should be quite interesting as we get further through the current football season and close in on the 2013 one.

DS Forums

BT in talks to take FA Cup and foreign league rights from ESPN.

16-09-2012, 16:47	#22
Hup_73 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 301	Quote: Originally Posted by Richard1960 Yes and no yes in that there is content spread over a couple of pay tv providers Sky and ESPN. And no in the fact you can pay ESPN a tenner and still get some good content without having to buy a sky sports sub. And on VM that content is included in TVXL at no extra cost. Agreed, while the splitting of the sports rights might be a disaster for some, I know plenty of people who now enjoy some quality sports through ESPN for a tenner, who weren't getting any sports before. So not ideal for some, but definitely not all.

16-09-2012, 17:22	#23
jamcambs Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 575	Quote: Originally Posted by Hup_73 Agreed, while the splitting of the sports rights might be a disaster for some, I know plenty of people who now enjoy some quality sports through ESPN for a tenner, who weren't getting any sports before. So not ideal for some, but definitely not all. Exactly you can now get sport without having to take extra channels.

17-09-2012, 17:33	#24
jamcambs Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 575	BT Vision CEO Marc Watson says Ligue 1, Serie A, MLS and Brasileirao rights have been added to Premier League packages. Not announced yet." (Source: James Emmett, SportsPro Media, 13th September 2012)

17-09-2012, 19:27	#25
promo-only Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 2,935	Quote: Originally Posted by jamcambs BT Vision CEO Marc Watson says Ligue 1, Serie A, MLS and Brasileirao rights have been added to Premier League packages. Not announced yet." (Source: James Emmett, SportsPro Media, 13th September 2012) Not surprised me in the slightest. I've been saying for a while that BT's channel will effectively be a rebranded ESPN... this further supports that. Wonder if they'll take over Bundesliga too.