ESPN Clinches BT Vision Deal

LONDON: ESPN’s new British channel for Premier League matches has lined up carriage on BT Vision, following deals with Sky and Virgin Media.

The new British ESPN launched yesterday. It will deliver live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football, as well as the German, Dutch, Russian, Portuguese and U.S. football leagues, among other international sports. ESPN’s coverage of the Barclays Premier League on BT Vision kicks off on August 15, with live and exclusive coverage of Everton vs Arsenal, followed by West Ham vs Tottenham on August 23. The channel is available to customers of BT Vision’s Bronze, Silver or Gold packages for no extra cost.

ESPN has the exclusive rights to the 46 live Barclays Premier League matches in the 2009/10 season and 23 matches a season from 2010-2013. It acquired them after the previous rights-holder, Setanta Sports, went into administration.

The channel is also now available on Top Up TV, with the first month free for customers who sign up by the end of the month.