So why did BT come into boxing and launch a Box Office Channel if they are going ? Why did BT just announce a deal today to show Formula E ? They are pulling back on Sports Rights. But they are not fully exiting. BT Sport is a profit maker and gives them leverage in the Broadband Buisness which is BT’s Main Focus. Preimer League and Champions League they are still in the game They renewed PL Rights in February until 2022. CL Rights until 2021. So you’re still looking at Year 2022 of a Possible BT Exit. That’s FOUR Years Away....
Joshua, Joshua, Joshua...think of it as a ripple effect. Sky Sports as a whole do have a broader footprint and following, because they are still the number one sports provider. But again BT don’t necessarily need a 24/7 Sports News Channel to get good PPV Numbers They just need to promote the crap out of it on social media and youtube. Provide bitesize clips/content along with it. Advertise it on their PL/UCL Games BT still haven’t done a PPV at UK Friendly Time. Wilder-Fury was in the morning, Frampton-Warrington will clash will the far more popular Whyte-Chisora fight. Sky still have the most popular fighters, we’ll see what BT are capable of if Fury-Wilder 2 is set for the UK
Unless there is a massive upturn in subscribers, the CL etc will be returning to Sky and yes the days of BT competing financially for sports rights looks over unless there is a change of the top man and a change of strategy.
Who gives a damn about formula E. People watch Formula 1. The champions league will not be on BT next time around. They massively overpaid for it and its not worth the return in subscriptions. They are showing Premier league football but the new deal saw them buy a lower package of games not increase. They are not exiting but they certainly are not trying to take sky on anymore.
How do you know the Champions League won’t be on BT from 2021 ? Sky haven’t really lost out from losing it. Sky have bidded so much lower than BT for CL rights. They still bought Formula E Rights. If they were exiting , why would they ? BT are still in the sports game and hopefully they stay in the Boxing Game for as long as possible to keep those cnuts at Sky in check
Is it good news though? We used to get the big american cards on boxnation and sky , now I think any fighter with a big reputation or good fights we will be expected to fork out more money for PPV at 5am.
In a general sports sense BT are miles behind Sky. Sky have essentially nailed the casual/general sports fan target market. Ryder Cup, big rugby internationals, golf majors, vast majority of football, F1, PDC darts and Matchroom boxing are what sports fans in general want to watch. BT can't really compete. Formula E, the BDO and Warren? Behave.
Don't think the US cards will be on ppv, could be wrong of course. I think the DAZN deal spelled an end to any additional US cards winding up on Sky. They have the US DAZN cards and that will suffice for their overseas boxing needs in my view. Boxnation is on its last legs and can't have much money to bid for them, so the US PBC cards were looking for another UK distributor come what may.
