All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Apparently:

- Cricket and golf will have their own dedicated channels in the same way as F1.

- Football to have two channels; one for Premier League and another for everything else.

- A cheaper sports package of about £18 per month to be introduced.

- At The Races to go HD and then be rebranded as Sky Sports Racing.

- Rugby will be bundled with other sports in a variety package.

- European club rugby rights expire in May 2018. It is not expected that Sky will retain them thereafter.

I heard this some time ago from a contact, but dismissed them as unfounded rumours, however, some of these 'rumours' have now appeared in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/gol...gby-rough.html[/quote]

Also, it's been revealed that Sky have been running confidential surveys mooting these changes to see what customers think of them.

Could this mean the closure of Sky Sports Mix?

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

I mentioned this already although I don't like the sounds of those wanting all the Sports will cost significantly more.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...postcount=7008

Where has the At the races story come from I haven't heard that one although that doesn't mean it's not true.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Sorry, didn't see that.

The At The Races rumour has been going round the pay TV industry for a few weeks, apparently Sky have been building up their shareholding in the channel in readiness for a takeover.

I think all VM customers get this in all packs, so maybe this will change.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Ah, it's in the Daily Mail - not worth the chip paper it's written on then!!

That aside, the plus point of this possibility is a lower entry-price for those who can't/won't afford the full package but otherwise miss out on so much TV sport.

Really not a fan of splitting channels by sport though - on F1 they seem to just about get away with it, but even then often simulcast on SS1. The current system of 5 numbered channels seems to work nicely.

On the specifics of club rugby, it would be good to see the European games unified with one broadcaster. You currently need two subscriptions to see these, which doesn't sit well for me. BT do a good job with Premiership stuff, Sky do well with the internationals.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Will be interesting to see how this works out. The obvious packs are Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Everything else.
I can see Sky Sports Everything Else being sold as an entry pack separately but would Sky split off Sky Sports Football or not?
I suspect not, so that would leave:
Pack a - Sky Sports Everything Else
Pack b - Sky Sports Complete
If it did split off football then obviously
Pack c - Sky Sports Football

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

When Sky poached the F1 rights and launched SS-F1, they forced you to into the full sports package even if you only wanted F1.

I can't imagine them doing anything other with football - their other big money-spinner.

If the balance with SS-Mix was to encourage take-up without annoying paying subscribers...surely the same balance but with full packages.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Sky Sports Mix was about reacting to BT Sport which was included with BT TV.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Sky will package it up in the way that maximises revenue from the sports milchcows. Expect some odd mixes from the bean counters.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

AIUI it will work out cheaper for those wanting a particular sport, but more expensive for those who still want everything (I believe that this is how it's done in Germany).

I imagine that viewers will still have to be on a minimum package before any of the sports packages can be added.

The above relates to their own Sky platform, not sure how much flexibility VM have to change things for their customers.

---------- Post added at 20:34 ---------- Previous post was at 20:32 ----------

Apparently, Sky owned 49% of ATR, but have now increased their shareholding to 51%.

---------- Post added at 20:35 ---------- Previous post was at 20:34 ----------

True, the Daily Mail aren't the best for reporting accurate news, but it was the only tangible thing that I could find as a source to link to.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

If ATR goes into the sports premium packages that is not going to go down well.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

The ATR rumour has indeed been doing the rounds, but as correctly pointed out, Sky already owned 49% of the channel and recently increased their holding to just over 51%. The ATR rebranding as SKY Racing is actually in the Racing Industry paper. The rebranding not going to take place until it goes HD (that has taken far too long. So may not be for sometime yet. I'm assuming it will be part of a Sports Package rather than just an individual payment for that channel.

As a racing fan, I hope there will be no extra cost, but I will pay it. Main concern is ATR are losing three more of their current tracks to RUK soon. They can't really afford to lose many more. (Stratford, Leicester and Taunton are the ones 'defecting')

TrevP

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Personally I think it's a good thing, i'm only really interested in the football, and if it means cheaper viewing for individual needs, then i'm all for it.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Ditto.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Indeed as you say ATR are losing 3 tracks to RUK and what really saves ATR is its Irish Racing IMO currently.

Re: All change for Sky Sports channels & packages?
 

Are you saying, they're looking at increasing the overall "full package" cost for those who want everything? Or just, more than what could be a mini-package? (Hope that make sense)

Fair enough about the Daily Mail link, it's an interesting prospect nonetheless. Of course, Sky are oft-criticised for not offering SS-F1 as a standalone channel so if they go this route, that would be fascinating.