BT Sport and ESPN have renewed the agreement begun in 2013 when the telco launched its ‘freemium’ channels.
A new seven-year agreement will keep the ESPN brand on screen in the UK as well as launching new digital initiatives. The amount of programming available to BT Sport will increase to 5,000 hours per year. Typically this would include the Verizon IndyCar Series, NCAA College Football and Basketball, X Games, and the AFL (Australian Football League).
John Petter, chief executive, BT Consumer, said: “Continuing with ESPN, one of the world’s leading sports brands, as part of the BT Sport portfolio is a win for our viewers, our partners and sport fans in the UK and Ireland. Our relationship with ESPN since BT Sport began operation of the ESPN channel in the UK and Ireland has been a big success, with the two companies collaborating on a number of initiatives.”
Additional elements to the deal include the ability for BT Sport to take in key ESPN-supplied programming directly to its studios in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park handing greater flexibility and efficiencies to both sides.
