New Premier League TV Deal

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

BT has secured the rights to broadcast live Premier League games for the first time, securing the rights to 38 matches a season from 2013-14 to 2015-16.

BSkyB will continue to show the bulk of games, securing the rights to 116 games per season, the Premier League said.


The total of 154 live matches is 16 more than currently broadcast and more than 40% of all top-level matches.


The sales raised £3.018bn, an increase of £1.25bn on the current package which shares rights between BSkyB and ESPN.


BBC sports news correspondent James Pearce said the amount paid for the new deal was "staggering", marking a rise of 70% on the present deal, worth £1.773bn.


BT said it was paying £246m per season for its broadcast rights.


BT said it would launch a new football-focused channel to carry the games.


"It will offer new interactive features when supplied over BT's fibre network and we will look to distribute it on other platforms," the telecoms firm said.


BT said full details and pricing would be published in due course


"We welcome BT as a new Premier League broadcast partner," said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.


"They are a substantial British company that is at the leading edge of technology and infrastructure development."


He said BT would "deliver new ways in which fans will be able to follow the competition".


He added: "The continuing support of BSkyB for Premier League football is significant beyond the revenues delivered; the longevity and quality of their commitment has done much for the English game as a whole."


Under the new agreement, BT secured two of the seven packages on offer, showing 28 Saturday lunchtime games, including the opening game of the season, and 10 matches taking place on bank holidays or midweek evenings.
'Strong bid'


One of the surprises of the bidding results was the fact that US-based sports broadcaster ESPN had lost its package of live TV rights.


The demise of Irish broadcaster Setanta's UK operations in 2009 had allowed ESPN to move into the English top-flight football market.


Its current deal runs out at the end of the 2012-13 season.


Mr Scudamore praised ESPN for its involvement and said he believed the group would be back at the bidding table the next time the rights were up for auction.


"We made a strong bid that reflected the value of the rights to our business, and we thank the Premier League for the chance to participate," said an ESPN spokesman.


"We're looking forward to continuing our Premier League coverage next season, and continuing to serve fans with great live sports events and programming including the FA Cup, Europa League, Scottish Premier League, Serie A, Premiership Rugby, Top 14, golf, darts, UFC, NBA and much more."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036

In summary, BT have replaced ESPN and will get the early Saturday games and 10 bank holiday games. £3Billion though I guess the suggestions after that Portsmouth landlady won her case that the Premier League rights would be harmed is complete BS after all.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only people to see the increase are the subscribers though. It wouldn't surprise me either to see all the early Saturday games suddenly become Wigan v Norwich, and never Chelsea v Arsenal; just like with the 5:15/30pm kick offs. But hey, it's all worked out by a computer...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I thought Al-Jazeera were getting them?



£3 billion is insane. Theoretically we'd get what, £120 million in a few seasons time? On top of the doubled money for the Champions League.

Most importantly...

ESPN.

[Marc Overmars]

BT? As in British Telecom?

They have a TV channel?

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

They will do.

The details of which will be fully released sometime in the near future.

And yes, BT as in, BT.

[Cripps_orig]

On Freeview?

[Marc Overmars]

I wish a proper broadcaster would man up and get the dreggs Sky don't have at least.

[Niall_Quinn]

Last I heard BT were billions in debt. When did that change?

[GP]

BT?

What are they gonna phone me up and tell me the scores?

Fucking bullshit is what it is.

Get it on Dave.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Hello, welcome to BT!

You're call is important to us. Please listen carefully to the following options before making your selection.

If you want to see Arsenal v Manchester United, say 'Arsenal' after the tone.

If you want to see Fulham v Norwich, say 'Fulham' after the tone.

If you want to see QPR v Everton, say 'QPR' after the tone.

If you want to see Reading v Tottenham, say 'Reading' after the tone.

If you want to see Wigan v Aston Villa, say 'Wigan' after the tone.

If you would like to hear these options again, say 'yes' after the tone.

BEEEEEP!

I'm sorry, I did not understand you.

If you want to see Arsenal v Manchester United, say 'Arsenal' after the tone.

If you want to see Fulham v Norwich, say 'Fulham' after the tone.

If you want to see QPR v Everton, say 'QPR' after the tone.

If you want to see Reading v Tottenham, say 'Reading' after the tone.

If you want to see Wigan v Aston Villa, say 'Wigan' after the tone.

If you would like to hear these options again, say 'yes' after the tone.

BEEEEEEP!

You have selected 'Barnet Odeon'.

If you would like to see The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, say 'Arsenal' after the tone.

If you would like to see Pirates of the Caribbean 7, say 'Pirates'after the tone.

If you would like to see Snow White and the Huntsman, say 'Snow' after the tone.

If you would like to see Men in Black 3, say 'Men' after the tone.

If you would like to hear these options again, say 'yes' after the tone.

BEEEEEP!

I'm sorry, I did not understand you. Would like to swear like fuck at 'Rick' from Bangalore?

If so, please stay on the line, otherwise throw your phone against the wall now.

For training purposes, your rant may be recorded and end up on Youtube.

[Kano]

didn't know the carling cup name had changed to this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...apital-one-cup