General : ESPN, BT, Euro, Premier and Sky Sports news

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by denphone

l cannot see the prices staying even at he same level as they are now because if you look at any other market the general view is prices keep on going up and l see that as a trend which is highly likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

In some markets things go up all the time. But in others they don't - petrol and PVRs fell last year. I think looking at other markets outside pay-TV sports does not always work.

Originally Posted by denphone

As for need not to subscribe to both channels the problem there is many of the most supported sides feature on both channels and thus many will subscribe to both.

Agreed, some will as they do at the moment but by having two equal packages there is more competition as they become closer substitutes. At the moment for the Premier League fan BT Sport is not a strong substitute for Sky Sports, it's merely an add-on.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by greeninferno

Surely Sky can't let that happen?

BT already has the Champions League and Europa League matches after this current contract runs out , add in the FC cup and a 50/50 split -assuming the quality of the matches on each broadcaster was the same - leaves Sky looking like dreadful value for the money they charge.

BT have deep pockets and those deep pockets are in it for the long run and if that means parking their tanks on Sky's lawns again then they will do that.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

In some markets things go up all the time. But in others they don't - petrol and PVRs fell last year. I think looking at other markets outside pay-TV sports does not always work.

Agreed, some will as they do at the moment but by having two equal packages there is more competition as they become closer substitutes. At the moment for the Premier League fan BT Sport is not a strong substitute for Sky Sports, it's merely an add-on.

Or as I mentioned previously, Sky and BT could join together to make the next bid to keep the price down. They could also make the content available on all platforms, on both a subscription and PPV basis. Otherwise, the cost will soon be unaffordable.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Or as I mentioned previously, Sky and BT could join together to make the next bid to keep the price down. They could also make the content available on all platforms, on both a subscription and PPV basis. Otherwise, the cost will soon be unaffordable.

BT and Sky won't bid for sports rights which they feel are unaffordable to them. Premier League costs rose 50% in the last bidding but the cost of Sky Sports has not risen by anything like this amount.
The Premier League a) sells rights on an exclusive basis so a joint bid would count as one bidder b) won't sell all packages to one bidder. If BT and Sky did jointly bid then there are plenty of other companies willing to step into their shoes to compete against them - BeIn Sport, EuroSport etc. Maybe even Virgin Media. So, it would not be in their interests to collaborate.

[denphone]

There is more chance of aliens arriving on earth then of Sky and BT making a joint bid OB.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

BT and Sky won't bid for sports rights which they feel are unaffordable to them. Premier League costs rose 50% in the last bidding but the cost of Sky Sports has not risen by anything like this amount.
The Premier League a) sells rights on an exclusive basis so a joint bid would count as one bidder b) won't sell all packages to one bidder. If BT and Sky did jointly bid then there are plenty of other companies willing to step into their shoes to compete against them - BeIn Sport, EuroSport etc. Maybe even Virgin Media. So, it would not be in their interests to collaborate.

People are assuming BT want the majority of the football packages when in reality none of us know what BT's plans are going forward. BT may want to capture the lions share then again they may be happy with just one additional pack we really don't know.

Haven't BT already speculated that they could introduce a charge for BT Sport once the champions league contract kicks in ? People are very happy with BT Sport at the moment but then who wouldn't be when it's included if you take there BB products , once the champions league kicks in it will be interesting to see what changes as they have many options available for instance include free but only with top tier Infinity packages with the introduction of a small charge for those on cheaper BB packages. If BT's strategy is indeed to go for the lions share they are going to have to expect to pay a considerable amount in which case the free BT Sport will end all together in my opinion.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

People are assuming BT want the majority of the football packages when in reality none of us know what BT's plans are going forward. BT may want to capture the lions share then again they may be happy with just one additional pack we really don't know.

Haven't BT already speculated that they could introduce a charge for BT Sport once the champions league contract kicks in ? People are very happy with BT Sport at the moment but then who wouldn't be when it's included if you take there BB products , once the champions league kicks in it will be interesting to see what changes as they have many options available for instance include free but only with top tier Infinity packages with the introduction of a small charge for those on cheaper BB packages. If BT's strategy is indeed to go for the lions share they are going to have to expect to pay a considerable amount in which case the free BT Sport will end all together in my opinion.

Agree with a lot of what you say. BT's aim is to grow broadband subscriptions via inclusive BT Sport. If it wins too many Premiership rights then BT Sport becomes something else and they will have to find another way of recouping their costs. As you suggest, there's a whole host of charging possibilities.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by denphone

There is more chance of aliens arriving on earth then of Sky and BT making a joint bid OB.

I know they don't want to, Den, but in the end it's the money that talks. Sharing the cost with another company would halve the cost of bidding in one go.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know they don't want to, Den, but in the end it's the money that talks. Sharing the cost with another company would halve the cost of bidding in one go.

l don't think some people realise the bitter enmity between these two heavyweights.

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I know they don't want to, Den, but in the end it's the money that talks. Sharing the cost with another company would halve the cost of bidding in one go.

Hell will freeze over before these 2 companies will work together. Only Virgin are more hated than BT,

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by telegramsam

Hell will freeze over before these 2 companies will work together. Only Virgin are more hated than BT,

Strewth!

[muppetman11]

BT poaches top BSkyB executive as football rights battle rages

http://www.theguardian.com/business/...-tv-rights-war

[Arthurgray50@blu]

When does the football rights come up again. ? I have a very funny feeling that BT will try and outgun Sky.

I just wish they will get rid of that stupid logo on the bottom of the screen a,d that idiot Owen.

[InformationMedia]

I have heard a strong rumour that beIN Sport will be making a huge bid come the end of the year when the rights become available. i would not be to surprised to see Sky and beIN Sport outbid BT.

[denphone]

If that's the case then l expect the auction to bring in up to 40% to 50% extra in rights fees for the Premier League and that in turn means monthly sports subscription fees will rise and keep on rising.