ESPN & BT Sport Strengthen Ties

LONDON/NEW YORK: A new seven-year pact has been signed that expands the range of ESPN content available on BT Sport.

BT Sport will now have the opportunity to use the ESPN brand in a number of different ways, with ESPN remaining part of the BT Sport channel lineup for the long term. BT Sport will increase the amount of programming it receives from ESPN, up to 5,000 hours per year.

In the months ahead, BT and ESPN will continue to explore ways the two companies can collaborate around various digital media 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. The new long-term collaboration builds on the successful relationship between both brands following the acquisition of ESPN’s U.K. and Ireland television business by BT in 2013.

John Petter, the chief executive of 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 U.K. and Ireland. Our relationship with ESPN since BT Sport began operation of the ESPN channel in the U.K. and Ireland has been a big success, with the two companies collaborating on a number of initiatives.”

Charly Classen, the VP and general manager of ESPN for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “ESPN continues to be a key part of the U.K. sports landscape through the channel and content in the BT Sport lineup, as well as our successful and growing digital and content sales business in the region. We’re thrilled with what has been a unique and successful collaboration with BT Sport over the past couple of years, and are excited it will continue and expand over the long term, delivering great content and service to U.K. sports fans.”