BT Bantz wins European Rugby rights

thomond2006

BT Sport has secured the rights to screen the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the four-year cycle until summer 2022 as the competitions move to one pay-TV broadcaster from the 2018/19 season.

EPCR has also reserved the rights for free-to-air coverage in the UK and Ireland, allowing EPCR to meet its key objective of taking its matches to a larger audience and will take those rights to market at a later date. It comes after a boost in revenue was announced in France for the same period, with an option for increased free-to-air coverage.

EPCR CEO Vincent Gaillard said: "The interest that we have seen through the tender process shows how the tournaments continue to go from strength-to-strength. Having one premium pay-television broadcaster in BT Sport will simplify the viewing experience for those fans and coverage on free-to-air television will give greater exposure to our outstanding rugby experiences."

Andy Haworth, BT's managing director of content and strategy, said: "BT Sport is now the home of elite European rugby, as well as the home of Premiership Rugby. We're proud to have won the live rights for these fantastic competitions. We're extremely passionate about our rugby coverage and will continue to work hard to grow the profile of the sport."

One season remains on the existing deal with both BT Sport and Sky Sports sharing the rights to broadcast the competitions. EPCR would like to thank its broadcast partners for both their support and the quality of their coverage and look forward to another exciting season of European professional club rugby.

http://www.epcrugby.com/news/36051.php#.WVtb6oTytQI

Former Former

Balls. Balls anyway.

I guess anything is better than the current set-up, but unless Eir and Virgin come to some sort of arrangement, this is bad news for a lot of Irish fans.

It also means that Sky's rugby offering is dwindling to the point of insignificance. This could be bad news for their interest in a new Pro12 deal.

awec

RUBBISH. :mad:

bilston

Well at least it's consolidated on one channel.

The really interesting question is how this will impact upon Sky's rugby coverage.

They have thrown all their eggs into the Football, Cricket and Golf baskets with absolutely enormous sums being spent on Football and Cricket in particular. They will hardly have much motivation to go for the Pro 12/14 rights again

Tigerandahalf

So I guess we will have one of the Irish provinces live each rugby weekend unless they are talking about just a highlights package.

razorblunt

This is great news for in game interviews with coaches that offers absolutely no insight.

bilston

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

So I guess we will have one of the Irish provinces live each rugby weekend unless they are talking about just a highlights package.

I'm pretty sure they will show every match live.

awec

thomond2006 wrote: »

BT Sport has secured the rights to screen the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the four-year cycle until summer 2022 as the competitions move to one pay-TV broadcaster from the 2018/19 season.

EPCR has also reserved the rights for free-to-air coverage in the UK and Ireland, allowing EPCR to meet its key objective of taking its matches to a larger audience and will take those rights to market at a later date. It comes after a boost in revenue was announced in France for the same period, with an option for increased free-to-air coverage.

EPCR CEO Vincent Gaillard said: "The interest that we have seen through the tender process shows how the tournaments continue to go from strength-to-strength. Having one premium pay-television broadcaster in BT Sport will simplify the viewing experience for those fans and coverage on free-to-air television will give greater exposure to our outstanding rugby experiences."

Andy Haworth, BT's managing director of content and strategy, said: "BT Sport is now the home of elite European rugby, as well as the home of Premiership Rugby. We're proud to have won the live rights for these fantastic competitions. We're extremely passionate about our rugby coverage and will continue to work hard to grow the profile of the sport."

One season remains on the existing deal with both BT Sport and Sky Sports sharing the rights to broadcast the competitions. EPCR would like to thank its broadcast partners for both their support and the quality of their coverage and look forward to another exciting season of European professional club rugby.

http://www.epcrugby.com/news/36051.php#.WVtb6oTytQI

What does this mean? A select few matches on FTA? I am guessing the lowkey matches that nobody really cares about?

Tigerandahalf

bilston wrote: »

I'm pretty sure they will show every match live.

I meant on free to air.

Former Former

awec wrote: »

What does this mean? A select few matches on FTA? I am guessing the lowkey matches that nobody really cares about?

In France, (I think) they give top pick to the FTA channel, usually the Sunday evening timeslot, and it's been claimed as a great success, that it has boosted all viewing figures, for FTA and subscription.

They might do something similar here as a sort of loss leader promotion.

It's pretty disappointing that Sky have no rights at all. They really helped make the Heineken Cup what it is today. Without them originally, I dont think the tournament would be anyway near the level that it's at at the moment.

The only good thing, is that at least all of the sports is on one package now. Going to have to look into getting Eir broadband next year when my sky package expires

bilston

awec wrote: »

thomond2006 wrote: »

BT Sport has secured the rights to screen the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the four-year cycle until summer 2022 as the competitions move to one pay-TV broadcaster from the 2018/19 season.

EPCR has also reserved the rights for free-to-air coverage in the UK and Ireland, allowing EPCR to meet its key objective of taking its matches to a larger audience and will take those rights to market at a later date. It comes after a boost in revenue was announced in France for the same period, with an option for increased free-to-air coverage.

EPCR CEO Vincent Gaillard said: "The interest that we have seen through the tender process shows how the tournaments continue to go from strength-to-strength. Having one premium pay-television broadcaster in BT Sport will simplify the viewing experience for those fans and coverage on free-to-air television will give greater exposure to our outstanding rugby experiences."

Andy Haworth, BT's managing director of content and strategy, said: "BT Sport is now the home of elite European rugby, as well as the home of Premiership Rugby. We're proud to have won the live rights for these fantastic competitions. We're extremely passionate about our rugby coverage and will continue to work hard to grow the profile of the sport."

One season remains on the existing deal with both BT Sport and Sky Sports sharing the rights to broadcast the competitions. EPCR would like to thank its broadcast partners for both their support and the quality of their coverage and look forward to another exciting season of European professional club rugby.

http://www.epcrugby.com/news/36051.php#.WVtb6oTytQI

What does this mean? A select few matches on FTA? I am guessing the lowkey matches that nobody really cares about?

Probably a bit like the new deal with C5 where they will show 5 live games from the Premiership.

If they managed to get someone like ITV on board in the UK showing one game a week on ITV1 on a Sat afternoon (maybe RTE or TV3 in Ireland) they could raise the profile of the tournament massively. It might be worth the cost in lowering the value of the rights to BT in the long run.

Tigerandahalf

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It's pretty disappointing that Sky have no rights at all. They really helped make the Heineken Cup what it is today. Without them originally, I dont think the tournament would be anyway near the level that it's at at the moment.

The only good thing, is that at least all of the sports is on one package now. Going to have to look into getting Eir broadband next year when my sky package expires

A lot of people will get rid of Sky now.
The Eir broadband will get even more popular. Time is ripe for a price increase.

Looks epcr will sell Ireland free to air rights to either rte or tv3. I am sure rte would love this, having the opportunity to cover a cheap home fixture each rugby weekend.

Riskymove

awec wrote: »

What does this mean? A select few matches on FTA? I am guessing the lowkey matches that nobody really cares about?

I think the opposite

The whole point of going FTA is to advertise game and grow interest

Wheeker

EPCR has also reserved the rights for free-to-air coverage in the UK and Ireland

....coverage on free-to-air television will give greater exposure

awec wrote: »

What does this mean? A select few matches on FTA? I am guessing the lowkey matches that nobody really cares about?

Yeah- that's what I'm wondering. It reads as if matches will be available on FTA anyhow? Just the ones BT Sport isn't bothered with? Hmmmm....perhaps all is not lost yet?

Clegg

I'd like to see some European games on terrestrial TV again.

Brings me back to May 2nd 2009 when RTE broadcast the greatest moment in the history of the sport.

bennyl10

I'd imagine virgin execs aren't the happiest right now..
Big boost for eir/sky though!

FTA, itv wrre remoured, so tv3 would be most likely to get the Irish game.. one game a week featuring an Irish team + highlights wouldn't be the worst..

Probably wishful thinking though!

ScrubsfanChris

Clegg wrote: »

I'd like to see some European games on terrestrial TV again.

Brings me back to May 2nd 2009 when RTE broadcast the greatest moment in the history of the sport.

Shane Lowry winning the Irish Open as an amateur? I agree

Squidgy Black

bennyl10 wrote: »

I'd imagine virgin execs aren't the happiest right now..
Big boost for eir/sky though!

FTA, itv wrre remoured, so tv3 would be most likely to get the Irish game.. one game a week featuring an Irish team + highlights wouldn't be the worst..

Probably wishful thinking though!

I really hope TV3 don't get it. RTE would be preferred, I'd even rather watch it on TG4 and not understand a word of it than suffer through a TV3 broadcast.

Former Former

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I really hope TV3 don't get it. RTE would be preferred, I'd even rather watch it on TG4 and not understand a word of it than suffer through a TV3 broadcast.

We're probably safe enough.

TV3 are owned by Virgin Media. If the objective of having FTA matches is to increase overall viewing, then Virgin aren't going to acquire the rights to promote something that isn't available on their platform.

icdg

I'd imagine it will be one match per week in the Champions Cup group stages that will be reserved to FTA (with rumours of ITV being near to doing a deal, from the same source that correctly predicted this one a few weeks back).

An interesting prospect could loom if knockout stage matches were included, that ITV and the Irish broadcasters went for different matches in each round (not a unlikely prospect if Irish teams remained) you could end up with most of the knockout stages FTA.

Buer

I'm due to change TV provider this year following renovations. Not a fan of BT coverage but, overall, I'm pretty content to know that I can enter into a package with a provider who has consolidated the broadcasting for the tournament. Throw in the T14 and AP and I'll be happy enough.

Ideally, Pro12 would go to BT now also although I don't see that happening ever.

Dravokivich

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I really hope TV3 don't get it. RTE would be preferred, I'd even rather watch it on TG4 and not understand a word of it than suffer through a TV3 broadcast.

TV3 have 6 Nations though. This'll compliment it in a big way. Especially with final rounds of the Pools leading into it.

ScrubsfanChris

Buer wrote: »

I'm due to change TV provider this year following renovations. Not a fan of BT coverage but, overall, I'm pretty content to know that I can enter into a package with a provider who has consolidated the broadcasting for the tournament. Throw in the T14 and AP and I'll be happy enough.

Ideally, Pro12 would go to BT now also although I don't see that happening ever.

Sky Sports have the Top 14 until the 2020/2021 season I'm pretty sure.
The current Pro12 deal ends in 2019 and rumours that Eir Sport might be looking for a bite.

Cookiemunster

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Sky Sports have the Top 14 until the 2020/2021 season I'm pretty sure.
The current Pro12 deal ends in 2019 and rumours that Eir Sport might be looking for a bite.

Pretty sure we're heading into the last season of the Sky Pro12 deal.

bilston

Cookiemunster wrote: »

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Sky Sports have the Top 14 until the 2020/2021 season I'm pretty sure.
The current Pro12 deal ends in 2019 and rumours that Eir Sport might be looking for a bite.

Pretty sure we're heading into the last season of the Sky Pro12 deal.

We are.

We also have to factor in that Sky have rights to Ireland's Autumn internationals (in NI) and to Ireland's summer tours to NZ/SA/Australia.

bilston

Interestingly a poster on PR who predicted that BT would take rights entirely for the Champions Cup (last week) also stated that BT are pushing for a B&I league.

molloyjh

As I said elsewhere...


Austin Healy. Austin f-ing Healy. F-ing Austin f-ing Healy. F*** sake.

ScrubsfanChris

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Pretty sure we're heading into the last season of the Sky Pro12 deal.

Ah you're right, 2017/2018 season

Scythica

Less Barnes, more Healy.

Not sure how I feel about this...

Wonder if the likes of greenwood will jump ship now?

irishbucsfan

Austin Healy is miles better than Barnes. That's all that matters.

I don't really care either way, just happy that it's on one broadcaster again.

Neil3030

The best part about this, is that James Haskell will likely retire from playing during this deal, and we'll then be gifted a weekly masterclass of banter.

Neil3030

bilston wrote: »

Interestingly a poster on PR who predicted that BT would take rights entirely for the Champions Cup (last week) also stated that BT are pushing for a B&I league.

This doesn't really make sense if they've just invested in the RCC.

Virgin Media customer here. I see a lot of dodgy streams in my future to be perfectly honest.

thomond2006

molloyjh wrote: »

As I said elsewhere...


Austin Healy. Austin f-ing Healy. F-ing Austin f-ing Healy. F*** sake.

Tbf Sky has plenty muteable people on its coverage. The disaster duo of Robson and Quinlan come to mind.

connemara man

one broadcaster is great and no Barnes is worthy of this for me

lertsnim

At least it is on one subscription now. Good news.

irishbucsfan

Gianluca Big Revolution wrote: »

Virgin Media customer here. I see a lot of dodgy streams in my future to be perfectly honest.

Can always pop down the pub for the entire day!

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Tbf Sky has plenty muteable people on its coverage. The disaster duo of Robson and Quinlan come to mind.

The way I see it is that those Sky guys are like bees. A bit annoying, but fairly harmless once you ignore them.

Austin Healy is like a Wasp. And we all know what wasps are.

I'd rather someone say nothing at all while they talk than his inane and pathetic attempts at banter that are constantly popping up while trying to watch the game. And the almost guaranteed pause from the others in the box who are clearly as fed up of him as I am makes it even worse.

ThisRegard

Gianluca Big Revolution wrote: »

Virgin Media customer here. I see a lot of dodgy streams in my future to be perfectly honest.

They have been in the present for many(most?) since the games were split between providers.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Can always pop down the pub for the entire day!

My old 'local' used to be ****e, they fill their TV screens with every possible soccer game on at the time and they didn't have BT. Last time I went was for a quarter final I think it was with Leinster playing. They told me they can't just put it on one TV (despite different soccer games being on each one) and there's people watching the soccer anyway.

My new local is great, have all the channels, and even put the recent Irish/USA game on for me when they had a band playing in the corner, albeit on mute.

Former Former

I find it difficult to understand how anyone could prefer Austin Healey to Stuart Barnes. Barnes knows his stuff, seems like a nice bloke and LOVES the Irish provinces. Forum rules prevent me from elaborating on Austin Healey.

Stheno

So I can ditch sky sports and get bt sports via eir through sky?

And just have the eir sports subscription?

Former Former

Stheno wrote: »

So I can ditch sky sports and get bt sports via eir through sky?

And just have the eir sports subscription?

Yes. You can get eir sport/BT sport through a Sky dish without the need for a Sky Sports subscription (or indeed, without the need for a Sky subscription...).

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

The way I see it is that those Sky guys are like bees. A bit annoying, but fairly harmless once you ignore them.

Austin Healy is like a Wasp. And we all know what wasps are.

I'd rather someone say nothing at all while they talk than his inane and pathetic attempts at banter that are constantly popping up while trying to watch the game. And the almost guaranteed pause from the others in the box who are clearly as fed up of him as I am makes it even worse.

This is exactly how I feel about Stuart Barnes

Former Former

Former Former wrote: »

I find it difficult to understand how anyone could prefer Austin Healey to Stuart Barnes. Barnes knows his stuff, seems like a nice bloke and LOVES the Irish provinces. Forum rules prevent me from elaborating on Austin Healey.

I dont mind Barnes at all. Think he's grand. Better than Shane Horgan anyway (this might be due to personal issues with Horgan though :cool: )

ScrubsfanChris

Former Former wrote: »

Yes. You can get eir sport/BT sport through a Sky dish without the need for a Sky Sports subscription (or indeed, without the need for a Sky subscription...).

You need the latter as you need a valid sky viewing card number to unlock the channels for you on the SKY guide.

Eir Sport + Chromecast is the best option if you get rid of SKY completely.

Buer

Does anyone really care what the commentators/pundits are saying aside from it prompting a bit of discussion? It's all a bit of background noise. All I want is to see the game.

Any analysis done of a match in the minutes after the half time/full time whistle is generally going to be very basic anyway.

It would be completely irrelevant to me in terms of deciding which sports package I subscribe to.

lertsnim

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

You need the latter as you need a valid sky viewing card number to unlock the channels for you on the SKY guide.

Eir Sport + Chromecast is the option of you get rid of SKY completely.

An ex subscription card will do so an active sky subscription is not required. Also Eir can provide you with a viewing card but some people seem to have problems getting one from them.

kooga

Former Former wrote: »

In France, (I think) they give top pick to the FTA channel, usually the Sunday evening timeslot, and it's been claimed as a great success, that it has boosted all viewing figures, for FTA and subscription.

They might do something similar here as a sort of loss leader promotion.

The arrangement in France is one subscription service bein sports and 1 challenge cup game on Saturday night on FR4 and one champions cup match sunday afternoon on FR2. Naturally these games involve French teams at home.

No reason same couldn't happen here.

Quin_Dub

Buer wrote: »

Does anyone really care what the commentators/pundits are saying aside from it prompting a bit of discussion? It's all a bit of background noise. All I want is to see the game.

Any analysis done of a match in the minutes after the half time/full time whistle is generally going to be very basic anyway.

It would be completely irrelevant to me in terms of deciding which sports package I subscribe to.

I'd agree in terms of the Analysis stuff - Personally I never watch it.

I tune in at(or fast forward to) Kick-off , pause & fast forward the half-time and switch off at the final whistle.

But - Some commentators just over-talk or mangle player names or simply don't know the game at all (I'm looking at you TV3 RWC coverage!!) and can ruin the experience.

The in game interview with a coach etc. gets on my wick as well.

If there was a red button option for just the ref mic and general stadium sounds I'd choose that every time...

Question for those that watch Soccer - Is the BT coverage of soccer similarly poor or is it just the rugby?

ScrubsfanChris

lertsnim wrote: »

An ex subscription card will do so an active sky subscription is not required. Also Eir can provide you with a viewing card but some people seem to have problems getting one from them.

Bah, I was told fibs