BT has struck a seven year deal to continue using the ESPN brand and broadcast content from the US channel.
Disney owned ESPN sold its UK operations to BT after losing its Premier League rights at the last auction which saw broadcasting rights to the UK’s top sporting contest shared between BT and Sky.
The deal gave BT access to ESPN’s portfolio of sports rights, including the FA Cup, Scottish Premier League, UEFA Europa League, and German Bundesliga.
As part of the tie-up, BT agreed to continue broadcasting a ESPN channel in the UK which it offers alongside its BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 2 channels.
BT says the new deal allows it to “use the ESPN brand in a range of different ways with ESPN remaining part of the BT Sport channel line-up for the long-term.”
It also gives BT up to 5000 hours of ESPN content per year, including the Verizon IndyCar Series, NCAA College Football and Basketball, X Games and Australian Football League.
BT says it’ll also gain access to the Emmy Award-winning ESPN Films documentary series.
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.”
Charly Classen, vice president and general manager, ESPN – Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “ESPN continues to be a key part of the UK 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 years, and are excited it will continue and expand over the long term, delivering great content and service to UK sports fans.”
