Originally Posted by Sirius:
“The wholesale deal with Virgin is a masterstroke as it guarantees revenue from those who are generally unlikely to subscribe anyway. The number of people likely to move is in the tens of thousands - and they are likely to go to Sky which weakens BTs position overall. This is the best deal possible for VM and excellent for BT.
People are also unlikely to switch the other way and if they do it'll be on Sky retentions to stop it.”
I also believe it is a sensible deal but on the same basis I think a wholesale deal with Sky would also make sense. Unless Sky gave the BT channels away (like Virgin XL - unlikely), or at a significant discount to BT's own standalone price (they might offer at wholesale cost or just above), then BT retain their edge of free channels if you switch broadband to BT whilst those who have no desire to switch to BT anyway from Sky (for broadband or TV) can still access the channels on the simplest basis. Sky also has the biggest base of genuine sports fans.
The more Sky subscribers that BT Sport has access to the more they can push their own broadband offering to whilst still receiving fees in the meantime.
And BT You View subscribers would get access to Sky Sports in return. Win win.