BT Vision has secured the rights to 38 Premier League matches per season. They successfully outbid ESPN, who currently have the rights to show matches not shown on Sky Sports.
From the 2013-14 season, Sky will have the right to show live coverage of 116 games per season, and BT Vision has the rights for 38 matches, including 18 of the first-choice fixtures. We understand that the deal means that BT Vision will be paying £6.5 million per match. We understand that BT Vision will have the rights to show the opening game of the 2013/14 season too.
All Premier League matches are currently offered to BT Vision customers that subscribe to its Sky Sports and ESPN packages, but these deal means that BT Vision can be a seller of matches to other providers, as opposed to a buyer. It’ll also give BT a push when it comes to marketing its proposition in the run-up to the August 2013 football season.
Currently, ESPN matches are available to Sky customers that subscribe to the ESPN channel, and Freeview customers can get ESPN matches using a subscription card from Top-up TV. At the time of writing, it’s not clear whether the matches covered by BT Vision will be made available to Sky or Top-Up TV customers.
At the moment, we have no details of subscription costs, how this channel will be broadcast, and whether or not the matches will be offered to other platforms. There are hints on the BT Vision site that interactive, HD and 3D coverage may be offered, but again, no fixed details.
If you’re interested, here’s a YouTube video clip of BT Vision boss Marc Watson discussing BT’s new signing:
