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BT Sports Channel
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Gray77
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by blueisthecolour:
“To answer for the poster: No, he just saying that he tends to like the the services provided by BT. The same way that some people like Apple products or Samsung phones. In a world of endless choice and multiple options, it's probably quite sane to stay broadly loyal to a brand whose products you like.”

Exactly. Some people on here go the other way and seem to hate anything connected to the BBC or to Sky, so it's the same as some people having a loyalty to a certain broadcaster or an entertainment provider.

I am a massive fan of the BBC, not because I think everything they do is brilliant or because I don't think they make huge mistakes now and again, but because I believe in the role they play in our national culture. To that extent I have a blind loyalty towards them in a way I could never have towards private companies like Sky or BT. If however you have a certain political gripe against Murdoch or against the BBC it's natural to 'support' those who provide competition for them.

We've seen enough stories and enough political decisions made around the role of the media in the last few years to know that these companies are not merely providing a method of entertainment for us, it is more important than that and the power or lack of power that certain companies and broadcasters have can shape important decisions.

Personally I think people who have a strong interest in the media but don't spend any time analysing the roles of the players within the media are naive and missing the big picture.
1andrew1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“And this bit -

"How will Freeview customers be able to get BT Sport?
We will reveal more details closer to launch.
"

And I doff my cap to you, 1andrew1, as it's looking likely they will just continue over DTT, as you predicted.”

Thanks but the full-time whistle has not blown yet! One possible outcome could see Sky Sports leaving DTT so the line-up could be:
34 ESPN (broadly equivalent of ESPNA now)
41 BT Sport 1
42 BT Sport 2
But in this case I think BT might lose the channel numbers and have to get higher ones.
There is also more temporary DTT capacity coming onstream as well just to widen BT's options.
DragonQ
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“There is also more temporary DTT capacity coming onstream as well just to widen BT's options.”

Not until 2014 though, IIRC.
VisionMan1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“Thanks but the full-time whistle has not blown yet! One possible outcome could see Sky Sports leaving DTT so the line-up could be:
34 ESPN (broadly equivalent of ESPNA now)
41 BT Sport 1
42 BT Sport 2
But in this case I think BT might lose the channel numbers and have to get higher ones.
There is also more temporary DTT capacity coming onstream as well just to widen BT's options.”

Are you talking about the 100 EPG slots that have already been allocated for the upcoming YouView IPTV services?
1andrew1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“Are you talking about the 100 EPG slots that have already been allocated for the upcoming YouView IPTV services?”

No, there was some additional capacity becoming available for DTT before Ofcom auctioned it for other purposes. But DragonQ reckons it might only be available next year - if so, it would render it useless in this context.
VisionMan1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“No, there was some additional capacity becoming available for DTT before Ofcom auctioned it for other purposes. But DragonQ reckons it might only be available next year - if so, it would render it useless in this context.”

Ah. I know what your talking about now. But BT won't be going the DTT route. It will be IPTV all the way, for the new services. And far cheaper to do it that way too. And I'm also wondering if they'll get the TopUp TV users on board in this new venture. With the offer of a free YouView HD box. Which wouldn't be inconceivable.
PatrickMcG
15-03-2013
If BT Sport have to keep a branded ESPN channel going then wouldn't it make sense for it to specialise in a particular sport?

For example, Rugby maybe? ESPN is already showing the aviva premiership so it could continue to do so with the rights that BT won recently. In the same way Sky became synonymous with football in the early days, ESPN could be the rugby channel. It would make sense from a marketing perspective where BT could target rugby fans with a specific brand that they are already familiar with. Obviously the channel would be sold as part of the BT sports pack of channels but it would seem logical for it to have a speciality.
VisionMan1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by PatrickMcG:
“If BT Sport have to keep a branded ESPN channel going then wouldn't it make sense for it to specialise in a particular sport?

For example, Rugby maybe? ESPN is already showing the aviva premiership so it could continue to do so with the rights that BT won recently. In the same way Sky became synonymous with football in the early days, ESPN could be the rugby channel. It would make sense from a marketing perspective where BT could target rugby fans with a specific brand that they are already familiar with. Obviously the channel would be sold as part of the BT sports pack of channels but it would seem logical for it to have a speciality.”

The new BT owned ESPN channel is expected to become and show the ESPN America content. Which BT have now confirmed will include (but is not exclusive to) Major League Baseball, NCAA College Basketball, NCAA College Football and NASCAR.
1andrew1
15-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“Ah. I know what your talking about now. But BT won't be going the DTT route. It will be IPTV all the way, for the new services. And far cheaper to do it that way too. And I'm also wondering if they'll get the TopUp TV users on board in this new venture. With the offer of a free YouView HD box. Which wouldn't be inconceivable.”

Medium and long term definitely IPTV. Short term; say a year to 18 months; if temporary DTT capacity were available it might suit BT so that it could offer Sky Sports and its own sports channels to its existing DTT susbscribers and perhaps TopUp TV customers too. Whilst it continues to upgrade its infrastructure and transition subscribers over to IPTV. The cost of short-term DTT capacity is not known as I believe it's auctioned so could be a cost-effective route. This is pure speculation and such capacity may not be available.
VisionMan1
16-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“Medium and long term definitely IPTV. Short term; say a year to 18 months; if temporary DTT capacity were available it might suit BT so that it could offer Sky Sports and its own sports channels to its existing DTT susbscribers and perhaps TopUp TV customers too. Whilst it continues to upgrade its infrastructure and transition subscribers over to IPTV. The cost of short-term DTT capacity is not known as I believe it's auctioned so could be a cost-effective route. This is pure speculation and such capacity may not be available.”

Hm. To put the new three BT Sports channels on DTT? That would be a surprise. But not a shock. However, BT are saying nowt. About anything. As usual.

July. Late July/early August is a key date for BT, YouView, and TalkTalk too. This is when it will all take off. And thats not an opinion. lol

So as to what will actually happen, everyone will find out in July. So not too long to wait.

Query - If you don't mind me asking, who's your ISP 1andrew1?
Gray77
16-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“The new BT owned ESPN channel is expected to become and show the ESPN America content. Which BT have now confirmed will include (but is not exclusive to) Major League Baseball, NCAA College Basketball, NCAA College Football and NASCAR.”

That is encouraging but to me it's still open to debate. That release merely states what ESPN America currently shows, and does not confirm that the new channel will show them. Of all the sports that ESPNA show you would imagine Baseball is the most well known but to leave it off official releases still leaves it open to conjecture and this new Q&A still doesn't convince me that the MLB contract is secure when BT takes over the channel beyond the 2013 season.
samburrows
16-03-2013
Originally Posted by Gray77:
“That is encouraging but to me it's still open to debate. That release merely states what ESPN America currently shows, and does not confirm that the new channel will show them. Of all the sports that ESPNA show you would imagine Baseball is the most well known but to leave it off official releases still leaves it open to conjecture and this new Q&A still doesn't convince me that the MLB contract is secure when BT takes over the channel beyond the 2013 season.”

I think - but not 100% sure - that MLB UK confirmed it on their Facebook page.
Jaycee Dove
16-03-2013
Originally Posted by samburrows:
“I think - but not 100% sure - that MLB UK confirmed it on their Facebook page.”

All I saw was ESPN America confirming on Facebook that it will be shown THIS season - which presumably includes the period after BT take over. But for 2014 onward it depends on if the rights pass automatically to BT or if - because they are pan European - that ESPN can/will resell them.
madmusician
16-03-2013
The one problem with pulling DTT coverage at a later date is as to when. It's very much a clean slate this summer, but if they were to pull out of DTT transmission (say) next year then there would be unhappy punters still - there would never be an ideal time to pull the plug.

One thing I do know is that BT are taking all of this very seriously, and are not taking any decisions lightly when it comes to infrastructure, content, negotiations etc. So, expect big things, and no elementary mistakes, as some have been predicting on this thread.
Neville_Breaksp
16-03-2013
im on bt vision total broadband and im not paying any more money to have infinity its dear enough already will do you think i will get sky sports 1 and 2 and espn as today plus bt sports 3 channels down my television aerial or will bt sports 3 channels just be sent down the broadband.
DragonQ
16-03-2013
Assuming you're talking about unlimited broadband, Infinity is only £7pm more than BT's standard broadband. They're pretty good with deals for existing customers too - I currently have Infinity 2 for £17.25pm. You don't need line rental from BT either so you can go with a cheaper provider for that.

You can get FTTC broadband for ~£20pm from other providers too, plus line rental of course.
VisionMan1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by Neville_Breaksp:
“im on bt vision total broadband and im not paying any more money to have infinity its dear enough already will do you think i will get sky sports 1 and 2 and espn as today plus bt sports 3 channels down my television aerial or will bt sports 3 channels just be sent down the broadband.”

Are you Infinity enabled in your area Neville? And when is your BB contract up for renewal?
1andrew1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“ Query - If you don't mind me asking, who's your ISP 1andrew1?”

No problem, I'm with PlusNet (18-month contract) and I'm one of the few who bought a retail YouView box. Other family members who have other suppliers tend to rope me in for advice so I monitor the marketplace.
Interestingly PlusNet has not decided if it is going to offer a YouView product. They have said that if they lose too many customers to competitors who offer a TV service (which I take to be mean TalkTalk) then they will seriously consider it. I can see the need for PlusNet to differentiate itself from BT hence it does not offer BT's free wifi service but I can also see BT's desire to sell its sports channels as widely as possible, so an interesting situation to watch.
DUNDEEBOY
17-03-2013
So you actually have to speak to BT directly to get the channel really not keen on this, left BT a couple of years ago re a billing dispute and refused to pay the amount they claimed.

So you will be giving BT all your details to do whatever they like with them
1andrew1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“The one problem with pulling DTT coverage at a later date is as to when. It's very much a clean slate this summer, but if they were to pull out of DTT transmission (say) next year then there would be unhappy punters still - there would never be an ideal time to pull the plug.

One thing I do know is that BT are taking all of this very seriously, and are not taking any decisions lightly when it comes to infrastructure, content, negotiations etc. So, expect big things, and no elementary mistakes, as some have been predicting on this thread.”

Thanks madmusician, that's a very insightful and thoughtful post.

The earliest I would expect BT to cease using DTT for the sports channels is about March 2014. BT stopped selling the sports channels to non-Infinity customers sometime in February 2013. Customers were sold 12-month contracts so I can't see BT wanting the adverse publicity of reneging on these contracts, even if relatively few people were effected. Add in a few weeks' leeway to account for the difference in ordering and installation suggests the March 2014 minimum date.

As you said, they're not going to make any elementary mistakes.
VisionMan1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“Thanks madmusician, that's a very insightful and thoughtful post.

The earliest I would expect BT to cease using DTT for the sports channels is about March 2014. BT stopped selling the sports channels to non-Infinity customers sometime in February 2013. Customers were sold 12-month contracts so I can't see BT wanting the adverse publicity of reneging on these contracts, even if relatively few people were effected. Add in a few weeks' leeway to account for the difference in ordering and installation suggests the March 2014 minimum date.

As you said, they're not going to make any elementary mistakes.”

Actually 1andrew1, I too thought this, until it suddenly struck me that the Sky Sports add on is in fact only offered on a month to month basis -

Sky Sports 1 or Sky Sports 2
channels can be added for £15 a month or both channels can be added for only £20 a month. Subscription requires a £10 one-off viewing card. One month minimum term.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.co...?topicId=32331
1andrew1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by VisionMan1:
“Actually 1andrew1, I too thought this, until it suddenly struck me that the Sky Sports add on is in fact only offered on a month to month basis -

Sky Sports 1 or Sky Sports 2
channels can be added for £15 a month or both channels can be added for only £20 a month. Subscription requires a £10 one-off viewing card. One month minimum term.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.co...?topicId=32331”

Technically, you're absolutely correct. But if someone who subscribed to BT Vision for 12 months with the sports channels was advised halfway through the 12-month Vision contract that BT was unable to supply those channels, they would not be very happy. It may only impact upon a small number of people but that's not the kind of story BT would want to hear when it's launching its sports channels. The media will be looking for an angle when BT's sports channels launch so it will have to tread carefully with such customers.

Once BT Sport has:
i) Launched and proven itself;
ii) Customers are out of their 12-month BT Vision contract period;
iii) Infinity coverage is far greater
it can cease the DTT channels.
The few sports customers in areas unlikely to get Infinity soon can then be addressed eg by subsidising Freesat from Sky if customers take out an 18/24-month BT Sport, broadband and phone contract.
1andrew1
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by DUNDEEBOY:
“So you actually have to speak to BT directly to get the channel really not keen on this, left BT a couple of years ago re a billing dispute and refused to pay the amount they claimed.

So you will be giving BT all your details to do whatever they like with them”

As things currently stand, if you get the channels via the Sky and BT platforms, you will pay BT directly for them. If an agreement is made with Virgin Media, you would have no dealings with BT and would pay Virgin Media for the channels.
bottleofbest
17-03-2013
Originally Posted by 1andrew1:
“No problem, I'm with PlusNet (18-month contract) and I'm one of the few who bought a retail YouView box. Other family members who have other suppliers tend to rope me in for advice so I monitor the marketplace.
Interestingly PlusNet has not decided if it is going to offer a YouView product. They have said that if they lose too many customers to competitors who offer a TV service (which I take to be mean TalkTalk) then they will seriously consider it. I can see the need for PlusNet to differentiate itself from BT hence it does not offer BT's free wifi service but I can also see BT's desire to sell its sports channels as widely as possible, so an interesting situation to watch.”

I would have thought the above was because BT would prefer to keep that in-house as one of their usp's seeing as Plusnet is far cheaper than BT even though they are both owned by BT PLC. BT and Plusnet purposely differentiate from each other because a customer may not be happy with one of the ISP's and go with the other not knowing they are owned by the same company.
Neville_Breaksp
17-03-2013
vision man i am infinity enabled and i cant remember when my contract is up
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