Champions League Thread 2013/14

[The Emirates Gallactico]

"We bid with a clear view of what the rights are worth to us. It seems BT chose to pay far in excess of our valuation"
"There are many ways in which we can invest in our service for customers"
"We take a disciplined approach and there is always a level at which we will choose to focus on something else.
"If we thought it was worth more, we'd have paid more."

Translation: We couldn't match their offer. Expect some quality French 2nd Division football to replace it.


A major problem though is that that cunt Michael Owen will be commentating on CL games now. He needs to be removed from football punditery business, not given a larger portfolio.

[Munchies]

Might have to get BT Sport then, unless they hike the prices up to reflect this

[Marc Overmars]

Well it at least nails the coffin in me getting Sky Sports than. Really no point without CL football. As others have said, I'm really surprised that Sky have allowed this to happen as CL football was one of their most attractive jewels in their collection.

Their bread and butter is the PL. The CL coverage was the icing on the cake but you can bet they will always trump any competitor for the rights to the PL.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I think it's quite sad tbh.

But then I don't have Sky and I probably won't have BT when the time comes either. Even more streams it is...

I'm more pissed off that they nabbed the MotoGP. The bastards.

[Munchies]

I think the fact there is no terrestrial viewing is a big let down really, I just remember going to friends houses watching the games with them and it was something we'd all look forward to. I distinctly remember the Real/United game, watching it with loads of people and then seeing Figo scoring that goal and everyone thinking 'How the fuck did he do that?'

I don't think anyone ,who I knew, had skysports back then. Then recently ITV went from showing 2 games on a day, to only showing 1, but atleast a game was still there for people to watch. BT Sport have said that they will show a Free-to-Air game, but as mentioned, it'll probably be a shit one no one cares about.

[Marc Overmars]

Next step is the World Cup and Euros.

Wouldn't put it beyond FIFA and Uefa considering they could make billions from selling the rights if it became possible one day.

[Xhaka Can’t]

As it stands, this is good news for me. I'm getting BTS without any additional financial outlay. I only get SS when they give me a good offer, now I might not even take them up on their offers as midweek football is more valuable to me than weekend football. There is tonnes of other stuff I can do on the weekends, but not many options on a wet Wednesday work night.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Next step is the World Cup and Euros.

Wouldn't put it beyond FIFA and Uefa considering they could make billions from selling the rights if it became possible one day.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if everything went off live free-to-air.

There isn't all that much left anyway; the WC and European Championships and qualifiers, Olympics, Wimbledon, the National, the Derby and the odd rugby final.

[Rors]

Next step is the World Cup and Euros.

Wouldn't put it beyond FIFA and Uefa considering they could make billions from selling the rights if it became possible one day.

Likewise, sadly. And as bad as BBC/ITV are, the utter parochialism Sky/BT Sport would handle those events with makes my teeth itch.

[Master Splinter]

ITV are at least showing the highlights. It's by default better than their current highlights show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25058618