In the nine months since its channels went on air, BT Sport has signed up 19,000 pubs, clubs, betting shops, hotels and other commercial premises to its service.
According to research by Sweeney Pinedo, the news means BT Sport has captured 24 per cent of all pubs, including groups and independents. In statement, BT said this placed “BT Sport neck and neck with Sky at 25 per cent.”
“A year ago we said we wanted to bring premium live sport to a wider audience including those that were unable to afford Sky’s high prices, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Bruce Cuthbert, director of commercial customers, BT Sport.
“To be able to grow the market by 26 per cent and to be a part of what pubs are able to offer their customers is enormously satisfying.”
Earlier this month, BT also announced that it will be making BT Sport free for another season for both new and re-contracting broadband customers.
Approximately five million homes receive BT Sport and it is estimated that three million subscribing homes take the service directly from BT – via satellite, BT TV or the BT Sport app – while the remainder receive the service via wholesale deals struck by BT. Of the three million customers, 25% have signed up since the channel first went live nine months ago.
BT Sport’s debut season included the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup, Moto GP races and NBA Basketball. In 2015 the broadcaster will also show all live matches from the Champions League and Europa League live, after winning the exclusive rights from Sky and ITV in a deal worth almost £1 billion.
