http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/2012/06/extra_competition_drives_up_pr.html So, this is us now, in case anyone forgot. £3bn over three years, it's an unthinkable amount of money really and already a huge increase on the previous deal, even the boss of the Premier League couldn't believe his luck. Sky will be continuing with their normal set up I imagine and BT will probably set up some new paid service like Setanta (but better). As someone in the above article pointed out they are paying £7m per game, a huge amount of money so expect to see a lot of publicity as they try and bring in as many subscribers as possible. All this at a time when the BBC are drawing down their FL coverage, what a year to get out. Of course all those themes of huge player wages, the Premier League-Championship gulf, the lack of long term investment will all come up again. I am sure Nicola will find something sensible to do with all the money though.
Lets just hope the BT coverage is good, can't imagine their channel being much if it's anything like their helplines. I know some people don't like it but I always thought ESPN's coverage was great, particularly for FA Cup Final Day.
Why don't they use some of this ridiculous amount of money to help prevent non-league clubs like Halifax and Kidderminster from going bankrupt? Oh wait, because the Premier League doesn't give a toss about anyone else, that's why.
So now that BT have bought coverage will games still be shown on Sky? Or will try make a brand new sporting, pay-monthly station? Like Setanta a few years back?
Let's hope we stay up for the next couple of years and capitalise on the ever-increasing ludicrousy of the Premier League cashflow.
More importantly why aren't those clubs living within there means rather than expected any sort of debt to be wiped out by a completely different company that are no longer related to them
I saw a line on the sky article that said every club is guaranteed a minimum of 4 live games a season. Wonder how many we'll end up with Also now 154 lives games adds up to just over 4 a week. It can be frustrating with the lack of 3 o clock kick offs but surely the more football the better. Maybe at some point they could have the match choice live similar to the champs league. Seems like a good time to be in the prem though, 70% increase in cost of tv rights mean more revenue for the 20 clubs.
I think the BT Vision on demand TV service is just about to get a whole load of new subscriber's ....for those of us that already have it I wonder if they will be offering us a deal ????
You will be able to I imagine. They'll set up a channel and then flog it to customers of Sky, Virgin Media etc.
Guaranteed 4 live matches a year!! We never seemed to be off TV last year in the Championship. I suppose we'll have to get used to being a little fish in a big pond next season.
