BT Launches Sports Catch-Up Service
BT has launched its BT Vision Sport service, allowing fans to watch Premier League matches just hours after the game has finished – at a time of their choosing – for £4 a month.
Footy fans can also combine the service with a package of live English and Scottish matches from Setanta Sports for £12 a month.
The deal gives fans access to 242 Premier League games, available on-demand from 10pm on match day, as well as 125 Football League and Carling Cup games from 24 hours after the final whistle.
Viewers can also watch individual matches on a pay-per-view basis for £1.99.
BSkyB, which has secured the rights to show the majority of English Premier League matches (see Sky And Setanta Share Remaining Premiership Rights), charges £34 for its sports channels.
Ian Livingston, BT Retail CEO, said: “This is a great day for sports fans. Fans can now follow their team for less than a pound a week. Why pay sky-high prices now there’s an alternative?”
Dan Marks, BT Vision CEO, said: “We’re a sports-loving nation and ordinary fans shouldn’t be priced out of the action. Millions of fans have resisted subscription services to date and so we feel there’s a substantial gap in the market. Highlights on Match of The Day are fine but many fans want more, particularly those who follow teams that aren’t often featured live. BT’s unique mix of live and on-demand sport means there is something for everyone, at prices people can afford and on the terms they choose.”
BT Vision Sport will be presented by well-known football pundit James Richardson, formerly Channel 4’s Gazzetta Football Italia host and more recently sports presenter on Eurosport. The first 19 live matches to be screened on BT Vision from Setanta Sports include Fernando Torres’ debut as Aston Villa take on Liverpool, Roy Keane’s return to Old Trafford as Sunderland visit Manchester United and Middlesbrough v Newcastle.
Last week, Setanta Sports unveiled the initial 19 fixtures of its 46 live Barclays Premier League games for the 2007/08 season (see Setanta Unveils Premier League Football Schedule).
BT: 0207 469 2337 www.btplc.com