Apologies if posted elsewhere:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/02/scottish-premier-league-sky-espn

 

The Scottish Premier League is seriously considering a combined broadcasting tender from Sky and ESPN as it seeks to fill the void created by Setanta's collapse before the new season begins.

 

Sky was installed as the favourite to replace Setanta as the SPL's main broadcaster after the latter company's demise last month. ESPN swiftly emerged as the only legitimate competition as it seeks to create a European rights portfolio — and fill air space — but it now seems the pair could combine to launch a five-year package which would match Setanta's 60 live games per season.

 

Although any such contract would not equal the £31m per season which Setanta had been due to pay the SPL for four years from 2011, it is understood the five-year contract could be worth as much as £100m. That would give the league more than the £12m it was due for next season under an existing deal with Setanta but less than expected in the four seasons after.

 

The main complexities would relate to which channel showed more games and which supplied the majority of the funding. Initial suggestions are that, because of Sky's present position of broadcasting 450 live games per season, it would seek a lower number of matches than ESPN due to scheduling constraints. Yet Sky could still supply at least half or more of the finance in return for guaranteed coverage of the SPL's four flagship fixtures, the Old Firm encounters.

 

Sky and ESPN have emerged as natural bedfellows having forged behind-the-scenes production agreements for the English Premier League. Sky hardware and crews will be responsible for the Disney-backed channel's upcoming and debut live coverage of England's top flight.

 

No party has been willing to comment on proceedings in Scotland at this stage due to commercial sensitivity, with the SPL only admitting that "external discussions are ongoing".

ESPN free to Virgin Media XL customers

 

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205406&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1313434&highlight=

 

YASS

YASS

 

My thoughts exactly 

I wonder if ESPN HD will be included? 

I wonder if ESPN HD will be included? 

Read the link

 

Customers who subscribe to Virgin Media’s XL TV pack will be able to watch ESPN and ESPN HD at no additional cost.  As part of the deal, these subscribers will also receive ESPN Classic, featuring the greatest moments of UK and European sport.

 

Bonus. Wonder if they will stop charging for ESPN America as well.

I wonder if ESPN HD will be included? 

 

It most certainly is. This is fuckinA as I have just purchased a beautiful Samsung TV and look forward to the HD action. Is our game with Timothy on ESPN or is that one of the Sky games ?

It most certainly is. This is fuckinA as I have just purchased a beautiful Samsung TV and look forward to the HD action. Is our game with Timothy on ESPN or is that one of the Sky games ?

 

Sky, the first SPL game on ESPN is Dundee United v Hertz on the Monday night I believe.

It most certainly is. This is fuckinA as I have just purchased a beautiful Samsung TV and look forward to the HD action. Is our game with Timothy on ESPN or is that one of the Sky games ?

 

Its on Sky HD

ESPN schedule until October.

 

Monday August 17 - Dundee United v Hearts

Live on ESPN, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Saturday August 22 - Falkirk v Hibernian

Live on ESPN, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Sunday August 30 - Hibernian v Celtic

Live on ESPN, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Monday September 14 - Falkirk v Aberdeen

Live on ESPN, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Saturday September 19 - Kilmarnock v Rangers

Live on ESPN, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Saturday September 26 - St Mirren v Celtic

Live on ESPN, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Saturday October 17 - St Johnstone v Rangers

Live on ESPN, kick-off 12.30pm

 

 

Its on Sky HD

 

Ach well, I'll hold off on purchasing that V+ box for a week or so then.

Ach well, I'll hold off on purchasing that V+ box for a week or so then.

 

Looks like the SPL games are only in HD if you've got Sky.

Follow the action and drama from the Clydesdale Premier League with live and exclusive coverage of 30 games a season on ESPN. All 12 clubs will be featured. Can anyone crack the Old Firm? All Scottish Premier League coverage is also available in High Definition*.

 

*Sky+ HD Subscribers only.

 

http://www.espn.co.uk/sports-on-espn/

according to the Virgin press release they will have espn hd too

Confirmed that they have Serie A coverage next season too. 3 live games a week

Confirmed that they have Serie A coverage next season too. 3 live games a week

 

Whatever happened to Channel 5 showing a live serie A game a week?

SPORTS broadcaster ESPN could pull put of their deal to show Scottish football at the end of this season.

 

It is understood that the sports network has a clause in their contract that allows them to cancel the current deal, signed last summer, with the SPL and SFL.

 

ESPN recently lost the rights to broadcast English Premier League football, the knock-on effect of that loss could mean they look to cut all ties with Scottish football.

 

Viewing figures for the SPL have dipped this season, in part due to the loss of Rangers from the top flight, and the prospect of another tumultuous off-season with league realignment in the offing could prove a turn off for television networks.

 

ESPN’s current deal is worth around £4 million to Scottish football, if they end their deal prematurely Sky could step in giving them a monopoly on coverage of the Scottish game.

 

The ESPN Scottish football deal - 30 games a season including 10 Rangers games - could be of interest to BT Vision who have dipped into the live football market by signing the rights to show the English Premier League.

Ah well no loss here, will save me a tenner a month.

Care Factor = 0

 

Funny, we were told not having rangers games would put tv companies off. Turns out HAVING The rangers games has put em off.

 

BT are getting right into fitba now, so most likely they'll be a good bet going forward.