BT Sport grab 2017-18 Ashes TV rights from rivals Sky Sports

[Machiavelli]

Makes a bit of a mockery of the Sky Sports Ashes channel then. Unless they intend to aggressively bid for the next home series which is forever away anyway.

Personally I've never understood why the Ashes aren't protected as one of our sporting jewels that needs to remain on terrestrial TV like the Olympics and the World Cup

The 'crown jewels' have been whittled away over the years. Why have protectionism when market forces are so in vogue?

 

[Blackadder]

Sky have pretty much been left with nothing, if it wasn't for the Spanish football I wouldn't bother with Sky anymore, I'm really considering cancelling the subscription anyway., the prices keep increasing yet the product is decreasing.

This is the way I see it. When BT won their initial footballing rights, everyone said "This is good for competition". NO IT'S NOT. YOU NOW HAVE TO PAY TWO SUPPLIERS!. Sky didn't reduce their prices when they lost European football. they increased them! Presumably more competitors will enter the market place soon.

I have knocked Sky Sports and Movies on the head.

 

[atfc village]

Sky paid too much for The EPL rights simple as.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I wonder if BT will do this coverage on the cheap, as it is currently a one off and just use Channel 9's feed, so that they do not have to put together their own commentary team.

Could be a very biased Ashes...

 

[Albumen]

Makes a bit of a mockery of the Sky Sports Ashes channel then. Unless they intend to aggressively bid for the next home series which is forever away anyway.

Personally I've never understood why the Ashes aren't protected as one of our sporting jewels that needs to remain on terrestrial TV like the Olympics and the World Cup

The 2020 Olympics are now owned by BSKyB

 

[jameswestport]

Good! Hopefully they can replace it with more Gaelic!

 

[Cian]

The 2020 Olympics are now owned by BSKyB

Discovery Networks are not BSkyB.

 

[matthew]

Sky are seriously ****ed - eventually they're going to be left with golf and championship football. Which will annoy me as I love the golf...

 

[Rookie]

Pretty clear that sky overpaid for the premier league rights and having to tighten their belt accordingly. If I were a cricket fan would be a bit peed in having to fork out for sky and BT to watch the sport. Expect the homes ashes to go for silly money when they are next up for auction.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Sounds like we need to get to the PL quickly and grab Sky's money before they implode.

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

I wonder if BT will do this coverage on the cheap, as it is currently a one off and just use Channel 9's feed, so that they do not have to put together their own commentary team.

Could be a very biased Ashes...

GODDIM!!

Piss off, you're out...

 

[pasty]

England relief as BTSport deal ensures next ashes hammering will be seen by no one

 

[Leekbrookgull]

TMS is of course the correct answer. Yes Sky have some decent presenters,but they don't have Vaughan,Tufnell,McGrath,Blower,s,Boycott or Agger,s. TMS is priceless.

 

[portslade seagull]

Sky are seriously ****ed - eventually they're going to be left with golf and championship football. Which will annoy me as I love the golf...

Wouldn't bet on that

 

[nicko31]

Now TV Sports is now £10 or £31 per month, why would anyone bother with a Sky contract anymore? Just pick and choose...

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Now TV Sports is now £10 or £31 per month, why would anyone bother with a Sky contract anymore? Just pick and choose...

I use now tv but it's inferior in every way as one cannot record, pause or rewind anything. There are also no subtitles available which is pretty poor.

 

[nicko31]

I use now tv but it's inferior in every way as one cannot record, pause or rewind anything. There are also no subtitles available which is pretty poor.

True, but most people just want to watch sport live anyway.

 

[Albumen]

Discovery Networks are not BSkyB.

You can always count on me to give nearly accurate information.

 

[Uncle Buck]

GODDIM!!

Piss off, you're out...

Sadly I think Bull has retired, so we are going to be stuck with Heals, Tubby, Warne etc. Oh plus Mark Nicholas...

 

[Hiney]

This is very disappointing news. Whatever people say or dislike about Sky, their cricket coverage and presentation, especially The Ashes, is absolutely top drawer. I just hope BT can maintain that.

This