Can anyone please enlighten me about BT’s football sports packages for next season and onwards?
I have tried various news sources including BT’s but apart from the premier league’s contract which apparently is continuing without change for the next couple of years due to the virus, there is nothing that I can find regarding the other packages.
I’m particularly interested if anything has been published about the Two European competitions and the Bundesliga. Without these 3 packages – having just the premier league is practically worthless to me as Saturday lunchtime is the worst time BT could have picked.
I might have missed any announcement so apologies if I have.
This is also being discussed on another forum site. Some people have observed that Bundesliga has been removed from the BT Sport App, (I no longer have it, so cannot verify), and others have said that there is a precedent for rights contracts to be signed/announced very late in the day - even the day prior to a new season starting.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I don't have the app either unfortunately.
It does seem to be leaving it late though, the new season will be starting soon. If this is normal procedure it seems rather disorganised!
According to Wikipedia, the Bundesliga 2021-22 season is not due to start until 13th August - is that incorrect?
I don't agree that it is "disorganised" - more good business sense on BT's behalf. It is not our domestic league - I'm sure that new domestic rights contracts in foreign leagues follow similar timings to the Premier League. If BT are confident that no other UK broadcaster will bid, or out-bid them, them waiting until the last minute should drive the price down. From the Bundesliga's point of view, it could be a last minute choice between a BT "low" bid and no income at all from the UK?
Television sports rights bids are always a bit like a game of poker - who blinks first! 😀
I'll take your word for the exact date but considering that many of the players haven't yet had any respite if they have been involved in the current competition it is a relatively short period.
I'm fairly sure though in previous years contracts were decided earlier than this. I take your point about how negotiations are conducted. From what I read elsewhere there might well be another bidder. I think it was DAZN.
If that is the case then BT might have to be careful, I'm not the only one who follows European teams and competitions.
BT have already lost the FA cup I believe, as well as a ladies football contract.
The french lique rights were signed up again earlier this month
BT Sport To show Ligue 1 Uber Eats for three more seasons
and the National league rights were signed up last December
BT Sport to remain the home of Vanarama National League football until 2024 | BT Sport
not seen any German Bundesliga announcements yet.
There is still Bundesliga goals of the season programme available on demand on BT TV Player until 15 July , plus a two part documentary on Union Berlin available for 2 months , I can't easily find that same programme on BT Sport app but then you tend to get what their editor selects to highlight and there is a lot more Ligue 1 content available.
the 2 Bundesliga starts on 23 July and the Bundesliga itself on 13 August so whoever has the rights to the upcoming season would potentially have their first match on 23 July.
There is nothing in BT schedules up to 30 July - although things do get added late.
Nothing on any other UK channel up to and including 30 July either.
The official Bundesliga website has a list of channels which will show them for the coming season. United Kingdom is not even an option to select - broadcasters
@zulu17wrote:the 2 Bundesliga starts on 23 July and the Bundesliga itself on 13 August so whoever has the rights to the upcoming season would potentially have their first match on 23 July.
Thanks for those links, I did read that BT had retained the Ligue1 package week or so back although it was just someone’s post without any proof at the time.
Interesting that BT mentions the UEFA Champions and Europa League’s packages will still be with them.
All I want now are the Bundesliga rights!