The most anticipated sports launch since the arrival of Sky Sports over 20 years ago has gone live in the UK and Ireland today.
BT Sport is marking its first day on air by making itself available free-to-air on DTT (Freview), TV from BT (the former BT Vision) and Sky.
Despite a series of talks there remains no agreement with Virgin Media, whose customers received the former ESPN as part of a sweetheart deal in big basic. ESPN America, now operated by BT in the UK, continues.
BT Broadband customers who have signed up to BT Sport will be able to stream the channels live to their PC or Mac and be able to watch content again.
Also available on August 1 for BT Sport customers is the new BT Sport app for selected Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. This can be used over 3G, 4G and wi-fi connections. The app will offer live streams, highlights, news and features.
BT Sport is being offer free with BT Broadband through either a YouView or Vision+ box for BT TV customers or a Sky box if customers take the channels via Sky’s digital satellite platform. It is also possible to add BT Sport to a Sky box for £12 (£15 in HD). A Sky subscription itself is not needed.
However, there appears to be no direct route from regular Freeview boxes that may have previously been used to receive Sky Sports and ESPN via Top Up TV.