BT Sport: New channels launch on August 1

After 12 months of planning and preparation, not to mention the millions spent on securing lucrative sports rights, marketing campaigns and recruiting some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting, BT Sport finally goes on the air at 6.00pm this Thursday (August 1).

Britain’s newest sports broadcaster will launch its new channels – BT Sport and BT Sport 2, with the exitsing ESPN UK also joining its line-up – with a special live programme direct from BT’s impressive state-of-the-art studios on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

BT Sport will be the home of an extensive line-up of live football, including the Barclays Premier League in England and Scotland’s newly formed Premiership, as well as Aviva Premiership rugby union, WTA tennis, UFC and much more.

In a move that the telecoms giant describes as a “game changer” in sports broadcasting , BT has pledged to “give sport back to the nation” by allowing millions of fans to watch a range of live action at no extra cost if they subscribe to its broadband internet service.

BT has assembled a formidable line-up of on-screen presenters and commentators featuring some of the biggest names in sport and broadcasting.

Jake Humphrey will lead the network’s Premier League coverage alongside the likes of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, Craig Doyle, Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson will be part of BT’s rugby team, while Clare Balding, Tim Lovejoy, Danny Baker and Danny Kelly will also present a vast range of support programming.

In its attempt to wrestle a significant slice of Sky Sports’ 20-year domination on pay TV sport in the UK – which has seen the demise of previous rivals such as ITV Digital, Setanta Sports and ESPN – BT Sport is aiming to innovate by giving sports fans a fresh and dynamic approach to sports broadcasting.

A central part of BT’s ambitious plans is its specially-built studios on the Olympic Park, where the majority of BT Sport’s live coverage will be based (see below).

Situated in the shadows of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, the huge complex comprises of three TV studios, a control centre, 20 edit suites, 10 dressing rooms and an area that is able to hold a studio audience of up to 200 people.

The versatility of the impressive main studios on the site of the former London 2012 International Broadcast Centre, which are the largest in Europe with all LED lighting, will allow the presentation team to be more mobile and interactive around the set, in a contrasting approach to usual conventions of televised sport.

A specially constructed virtual playing surface, the first of its kind in the UK, including a full-size 18-yard box as well as rugby union markings, will enable BT’s star pundits, including Steve McManaman and David James, to stage re-enactments of key incidents in order to give viewers a fresh and more interactive insight into the nuances of the sport.

After unveiling its plans to the media in May, in conjunction with extensive TV and online advertising campaign, BT confirmed in its first quarter results that 500,000 households with BT broadband have signed up to receive BT Sport.

In addition, 23,000 new subscribers have signed up to obtain the service for either £12 per month in SD or £15 in HD.

BT Sport’s first week on-air will feature a range of top-quality sport, including pre-season football, Scottish Premiership action, JP Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s, WTA tennis from the United States and Caribbean T20 cricket.

There is also a raft of support programming such as preview shows, plus the launch of BT Sports Panel, presented by Tim Lovejoy, on August 3, and Clare Balding’s new chat show on August 8.

The 2013-14 Premier League season begins on the weekend of August 17-18 and BT Sport will screen the first televised match of the new campaign, when Liverpool meet Stoke City at Anfield in what will be the first Premier League match to use goal-line technology.

BT Sport is available at no extra cost for BT broadband customers, and is also available via the Sky Digital Satellite Platform, BT TV with Infinity and online at btsport.com or via the BT Sport app.

The new BT Sport website goes live on August 1 and will offer a range of free content, including sports news, features, a ‘Women in Sport’ section and full channel listings.

John Petter, managing director, BT Retail Consumer, said: “It’s finally a reality that ‘Great sport happens here’.

“It’s just over a year since we secured our Barclays Premier League rights and only six months since we started to build our exciting new studio in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“We have some tremendously talented presenters and experts who are passionate about sport.

“The customers are the ones that matter and now they will be able to see the programmes for themselves.

“We‘re convinced they’re going to like what they see, and we’re absolutely committed to making BT Sport fun, innovative and a firm favourite with the fans.”

Read SOTB’s comprehensive guide to the new BT Sport channels below.

 

BT Sport’s package includes three channels – BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN.

Each channel will also be available in high-definition.

 

New Customers

Two main options are available for those currently without BT or Sky to receive BT Sport.

– To watch online – sign up for BT broadband, ranging from £10 to £16 a month depending on speed and usage. Additional costs are line rental of £15.45 a month and a one-off £6.95 fee for the hub – all on a 12-month contract.

– To watch on TV – sign up to BT TV – £199 up front with no annual contract, or £49 by signing up for a TV package for a year, from £5 a month. Sign up before launch on August 1 and the HD versions of all three channels will be available free for the first year.

 

Existing Sky broadband/phone/TV customer

– Add BT Sport for £12 per month or £15 for high-definition, plus a one-off £15 activation fee.

– Switch wholesale to BT – There is no need to pay for a new phone line, but extra costs will be a BT set-top box, activation costs, increased line rental from £14.50 a month to £15.45 a month, and increased broadband costs from £7.50 with Sky to £16 with BT, though BT is offering free broadband for six months.

– Keep Sky TV but switch phone and broadband services to BT – The only additional cost here is the £6.95 for the hub. The total monthly cost, after the six months’ free broadband and including Sky Sports subscription will be around £73, depending on options selected.

 

Existing BT broadband customers with a Sky box

Simply call BT or visit btsport.com to request to watch BT Sport through your Sky box for free. You’ll need your Sky viewing card number to place your order.

 

Existing BT broadband and TV customers

Commit to a new 12-month broadband contract and BT Sport will be available for free.

 

BT broadband customer with a Freeview box

Switch to BT TV or watch the channels online via your iPad or PC for free.

 

Virgin Media customer

There is currently no access to BT Sport via Virgin Media cable, but according to Broadcast a last-minute carraige deal could be struck before launch on August 1.

 

Visit btsport.com for a more detailed breakdown of how to receive BT Sport.

 

 

Sport On The Box was invited to a star-studded party to celebrate the launch of BT Sport, as well as take a look around the vast new Olympic Park studios.

All of BT Sport’s biggest names, including Jake Humphrey, Clare Balding, Michael Owen, Matt Dawson and Tim Lovejoy, were in attendance with the evening’s entertainment provided by model Pixie Geldof and singer Jessie Ware.

Addressing guests at the launch party, Balding said: “One year on from the beginning of the most extraordinary event of our lives, welcome back to the Olympic Park.

“I personally believe when people talk about the legacy of the London Olympics and Paralympics, this is the strongest and biggest and the most exciting for sports fans.

“It is the launch of the first new sports channel for 20 years – and it’s free. I can’t wait to get started.”

Humphrey added: “There has been a lot going on behind the scenes and it finally feels real tonight.

“This is it. I feel like we are ready and I hope we can impress the nation.

“We would not be here without the Olympics. We aim to be fun, approachable and enjoyable – long live BT Sport!”

 

The new BT Sport channels launch with a varied mix of live events and innovative new shows and to kick if all off they will free-to-view for all to see on the first day for anyone with Freeview, BT TV or Sky.

Both BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 2 will simulcast the channel’s launch show – ‘BT Sport Live’ – presented by Jake Humphrey from the Olympic Park studios, which will include special guests, features and a look ahead to some of the events set to be shown on BT Sport over the coming weeks.

All TV viewers, regardless of whether they have subscribed to the new service, will be able to see the launch of BT Sport on Freeview channel 57.

Sky customers will also be able to tune-in on Sky Guide Channel 413 even if they have not signed up to BT Sport from 6pm (August 1) to 12.45am (August 2). BT customers can also watch via BT TV with Infinity, and, via the BT Sport app or online player.

BT’s live launch show will feature most of the channels’ new presenters, experts, commentators and special guests in various live links, reports and special films.

Along with presenter Jake Humphrey, these include Clare Balding, Craig Doyle, Michael Owen, Steve McManaman, David James, Owen Hargreaves, Matt Dawson, Lynsey Hipgrave, Gary McAllister, Martin Bayfield, Anne Keothavong, Kim Little, Scott Redding and Neil Hodgson.

Also part of the launch show will will be Darrell Currie, Darren Fletcher, Sam Smith, Rosi Sexton, John Hathaway, Christian Howes, Des Kelly, Tom Watt, Caroline DeMoraes, Ian Darke, Ray Stubbs, Austin Healey, Ben Kay, Sarra Elgan, Eniola Aluko and Helen Skelton. 

The show will take place in BT Sport’s brand new studios, giving viewers a taste of what is to come from BT Sport with live links right across the country and an insight into the new programmes coming their way.

The show will simulcast on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 2 until the moment the two channels become independent when viewers will see Jake Humphrey heading to the football studio to cover the Audi Cup on BT Sport 1 and Craig Doyle in the BT Sport rugby studio covering the JP Morgan Asset Management 7s on BT Sport 2.

Also on launch night there is live WTA tennis from California and Caribbean T20 cricket.

BT Sport will screen both Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial matches, as well as the Arsenal-hosted Emirates Cup and other pre-season games.

Premier League football makes its debut on BT Sport on Saturday, August 17 (k/o 12.45pm) with Liverpool’s home game against Stoke City the first televised game of the 2013-14 season.

 

LAUNCH NIGHT – THURSDAY 1st AUGUST 2013

18:00  BT Sport Live – Launch Show  19:00  LIVE Audi Cup Final  22:00  BT Sport Live  23:00  Caribbean T20 cricket highlights  00:45  LIVE Caribbean T20 cricket  04:30  Welcome to BT Sport  05:30  Barclays Premier League World

18:00  BT Sport Live – Launch Show  19:00  LIVE Premiership 7s Rugby  23:00  LIVE WTA Tennis  01:00  WTA All Access  01:30  World of Tennis  02:00  Road to Rio  02:30  World Wide Sports  03:00  LIVE WTA Tennis

 

BT Sport will show 38 exclusively live football matches from the Barclays Premier League – including 18 top pick matches.

In addition to England’s top division, BT will offer hundreds of top flight live matches from football leagues around the world including Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Australia and the United States.

It will also show live football from the Scottish Professional Football League top flight plus 10 Rangers matches, FA Cup ties for the next five seasons, including the final, as well as live coverage from the UEFA Europa League, the Football Conference and the FA Women’s Super League.

BT have assembled a formidable presentation team comprising of well-known faces and familiar footballing names that will provide experts opinion and analysis.

Former BBC presenter Jake Humphrey will be the anchor of BT Sport’s 38 exclusively live Premier League matches.

Two-time Champions League winners Owen Hargreaves and Steve McManaman will be joined by former England number one goalkeeper David James, all highly qualified to give the unique insight to BT Sport viewers.

Joining BT Sport as commentators will be Ian Darke and Darren Fletcher.

Darke has covered all 21 seasons of the Barclays Premier League as well as Champions League finals and five World Cups for various broadcasters, mainly Sky Sports and more recently with ESPN in the United States.

Fletcher joins BT Sport after becoming one of the most familiar voices on BBC Radio 5 Live, through his acclaimed commentaries on Premier League, European Championships and World Cup games.

Joining them will be former Liverpool and England legend Michael Owen, who retired after the 2012-2013 season to take up the key role of co-commentator.

England and Manchester United superstar Rio Ferdinand will also play a big part in BT Sport’s football coverage.

Ferdinand joins the BT Sport line-up as an interviewer, programme-maker and football expert. 

In addition, BT intends to innovate by introducing Premier League referee Mark Halsey to a brand new role in the commentary team.

Halsey has refereed in the Premier League since 1999, officiating over some of the biggest games. 

Established sports broadcaster Ray Stubbs will also join as chief football reporter, bringing a wealth of experience, having reported on a variety of major sporting events over the years for the BBC and ESPN.

Featuring in BT’s coverage of Scottish and other top flight football will be the newly-signed Gary McAllister, the former Scotland captain, Motherwell, Leeds United and Liverpool midfielder.

Gary will feature as BT Sport co-commentator on its Scottish football coverage, bringing insight and analysis from a storied career during which he won honours including the old English First Division, UEFA Cup and the FA Cup, plus captaining Scotland at Euro 96.

Darrell Currie, the popular Scottish football journalist and former ESPN football reporter will present coverage, while respected former ESPN commentator Derek Rae is lead commentator. Stephen Craigan and Emma Dodds complete the line-up.

Sunday night will be European football night with popular former Football Italia presenter James Richardson appointed to front BT’s European coverage.

BT will screen 38 Barclays Premier League games, alongside live top tier matches from Serie A in Italy, Ligue 1 in France, Brasileiro in Brazil and Major League Soccer in the USA.

In addition, BT’s acquisition of ESPN’s TV channels business will also bring the rights to show live games for the FA Cup, the German Bundesliga, Scottish Premiership and Europa League, which will be broadcast on ESPN, part of the three channel BT Sport line-up.

Coverage will be produced by renowned sports production company Sunset+Vine.

 

BT Sport will show exclusive coverage of up to 69 live rugby union games from the Aviva Premiership, as well as French Top 14 matches.

There is also live coverage of the season-opening JP Morgan Premiership 7s competition, which kicks off BT Sport’s rugby union coverage in early August, and the Twickenham-hosted World Club 7s.

BT’s rugby union coverage will be presented by established broadcaster Craig Doyle, who has been part of ITV’s rugby presentation since 2008, including fronting Premiership highlights and the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Doyle will be joined by former England captain and lead rugby expert Lawrence Dallaglio.

Joining them will be former England internationals Matt Dawson, Ben Kay, Austin Healey and Martin Bayfield.

Nick Mullins and Alastair Eykyn will share the lead commentary duties and the highly regarded Sarra Elgan joins as a reporter and presenter.

Rugby Tonight will be BT Sport’s weekly magazine show on Wednesdays, hosted by Matt Dawson, Craig Doyle, Martin Bayfield and Sarra Elgan.

 

BT Sport has also signed a deal with the WTA to show matches from 21 global women’s tennis tournaments, including the end-of-season WTA Championships.

The first live WTA tennis on BT Sport will be the Southern California Open from August 1-4.

Lynsey Hipgrave will anchor coverage alongside one of the most distinguished and accomplished athletes in this history of women’s sport.

The greatest female tennis player of all time Martina Navratilova has been signed up as BT’s chief tennis expert.

Also added to BT’s presentation line-up is former British number one players Anne Keothavong and Sam Smith.

BT has signed up leading British tennis player Heather Watson to star in the TV advertising campaign.

Both Nick Mullins and Alastair Eykyn will also commentate on BT’s WTA tennis coverage alongside their rugby commitments.

 

In addition to its major football, rugby union and tennis coverage, BT Sport will broadcast a wide range of live sport from the UK and beyond.

BT will screen live matches from the inaugural Caribbean Premier League T20 cricket competition, as well as mixed martial arts from UFC and Red Bull extreme sports.

From 2014, BT Sport will become the exclusive home of MotoGP, with its broadcast team for motorcycle racing’s premier series set to be confirmed later this year.

ESPN – part of the BT Sport line-up – will screen thousands of hours of live sports, further strengthening the network’s vast sports offering.

This includes football from around the world, including the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, great American sport including MLB, NASCAR, IndyCar, NCAA Football and Basketball, The X Games, plus other international sport such as French Top 14 Rugby, AFL and DTM.

A varied range of support programming will compliment BT’s live sports coverage every week.

BAFTA award-winning broadcaster Clare Balding will present and co-produce a weekly sports magazine chat show for BT Sport.

‘The Clare Balding Show’ will feature interviews with major sporting names and discussion of big sporting issues. 

It will also shine a spotlight on women’s sport, with Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger, QPR manager Harry Redknapp and Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead featuring in the first edition of the show on August 8.

Former Soccer AM presenter Tim Lovejoy will host a weekend sports magazine programme – BT Sports Panel (BTSP) – along with guest co-presenters.

Airing on Saturday mornings, BTSP will be led by Lovejoy and rugby pundit Matt Dawson, featuring predictions, previews, reviews and laughs.

‘BT Sport Live’ will be BT’s nightly sports news, information and debate show, with outspoken former football manager Neil Warnock featuring as a regular contributor.

Tuesday and Sunday nights will feature BT Sport Films, which sets out to become the home for the stories behind the sports, personalities and issues that fascinate sports fans.

Celebrated broadcasters Danny Baker and Danny Kelly will reform their on-off on-air partnership to front a lively Friday night football show on the new BT Sport channels.

It will run on Friday evenings for 40 weeks throughout the 2013-2014 season on BT Sport, with the first show airing on August 16, the day before the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season kicks off.

Finally, accomplished Daily Mail sports journalist and sports broadcaster Des Kelly joins BT Sport to present a new sports magazine programme ‘Life’s a Pitch’.

Kelly is a past winner of the UK Sports Columnist of the Year award.

 

For further information about BT Sport – visit btsport.com