Virgin Media XL subscribers to get free ESPN sports channel

Subscribers to Virgin Media’s XL pack will be able to receive the new ESPN sports channel for free from 3 August.

The new channel, available in standard and High Definition, will feature live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football and a range of other sports.

As an introductory offer, Virgin is also making the channels available to all of its 3.5 million digital TV customers for free during August.

Virgin Media subscribers on the M or L packs will be able to get ESPN and ESPN HD for £8 a month if they already subscribe to any combination of the Sky Sports channels, or £10 a month if not.

XL pack subscribers will also receive ESPN Classic, featuring “the greatest moments of UK and European sport”.

Lynne Frank, managing director for ESPN in Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “We are delighted to add Virgin Media as a new distribution partner and to offer millions more sports fans ESPN’s compelling mix of Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football, as well as the best of international football and top quality sports.

“The plan to make the channels available to Virgin Media’s XL customers will help ESPN better serve sports fans in the UK. It’s an exciting season ahead and we look forward to bringing our new channels, ESPN and ESPN HD as well as ESPN Classic, to as many sports fans as possible.”

The new ESPN channel will air 46 live Premier League football games during the 2009/10 season and 23 matches for each of the following three seasons (see ESPN wins rights to 46 Premier League matches)