New BT Sport channels go live
Today sees the launch of BT’s newest TV sports channels, which will be free for anyone that subscribes to BT broadband.
The programming will start at 6pm with a live show featuring most of the channels’ new presenters, commentators and special guests, including Jake Humphrey, Clare Balding, Craig Doyle, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves.
The show will take place in BT Sport’s new studios at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will simulcast on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 2 until the moment the two channels become independent.
BT Broadband customers who have signed up to BT Sport will be able to stream the channels live to their PC or Mac and be able to watch content again. There will be ‘match centres’ for BT Sport’s live Barclay’s Premier League games with live text commentary and match statistics.
Customers will only need their BT ID and password to access the action online. The website will also feature a #BTS section where people will be given the chance to interact with BT Sport in social media conversations and polls.
“The customers are the ones that matter and now they will be able to see the programmes for themselves,” said John Petter, managing director, BT Retail Consumer.
“We’re convinced they’re going to like what they see, and we’re absolutely committed to making BT Sport fun, innovative and a firm favourite with the fans.”
The current subscription figures for the new channels may seem disappointing for BT after only securing 23,000 new TV subscribers in the three months to the end of June. This compares with 40,000 in the first quarter, while rival TalkTalk signed up 160,000 new subscribers.
However, Newsline columnist Raymond Snoddy comments that BT is still able to say that 500,000 households have signed up to BT Sport, although the telecoms group admits that most of these are existing customers who have re-signed to get the free football package.
“It is, of course, far too early to dismiss BT’s £1 billion investment in television sports or indeed the power of its advertising campaign,” Snoddy said.
A new BT Sport app will be available on August 1 for BT Sport customers, for selected Apple and Android smartphones and tablets – offering live streams, highlights, news and features.