ESPN will give Sky a proper run for its money

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Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:36:04 GMT

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re: ESPN will give Sky a proper run for its money

JAMES SMYTHE — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:51:55 GMT

I agree with Jeremy - consumers previously attracted to the pay-as-you-go, lighter option of Setanta will feel like they backed a loser, even if they lost no money. I think only those who previously took both Sky Sports and Setanta will now adopt ESPN, so the second-string rights will attract even less revenue.

re: ESPN will give Sky a proper run for its money

Steve Barrett — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:53:05 GMT

Agree with all you say about Sky, but ESPN has deep enough pockets to be able to play the long game and not be subject to short-term business imperatives like Setanta was. Once it's established a bulwark in UK sport it can build a strategy from there and become a serious player.

re: ESPN will give Sky a proper run for its money

Jeremy Lee — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:22:59 GMT

I'm not sure it will - Sky does such an awesome job with its comprehensive sports coverage that a few Premier League games will not make it a compelling enough proposition. Like it or not, Sky has got sport pretty much stitched-up. But given how good it is at it and at driving innovation, I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.