This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22462525
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| BT offers free Premier League football in BSkyB battle | BT offers free Premier League football in BSkyB battle |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| BT is to offer free Premier League football coverage to its broadband customers, the telecoms company has announced. | BT is to offer free Premier League football coverage to its broadband customers, the telecoms company has announced. |
| After winning a three-year deal to show 38 Premier League games a season, BT has signalled its intent to challenge BSkyB's dominance of sports pay-TV. | After winning a three-year deal to show 38 Premier League games a season, BT has signalled its intent to challenge BSkyB's dominance of sports pay-TV. |
| BSkyB's shares fell nearly 6% as BT unveiled its plans, which includes a £10-a-month broadband package. | |
| BT has 6.3 million broadband customers, but just 750,000 pay-TV customers. | BT has 6.3 million broadband customers, but just 750,000 pay-TV customers. |
| The aggressive move is an attempt to establish itself as a major multi-platform provider, offering TV, internet and telephone in one package. | The aggressive move is an attempt to establish itself as a major multi-platform provider, offering TV, internet and telephone in one package. |
| BT Sport's channels will also show 69 live Aviva Premiership rugby matches per season, plus live football from leagues in Germany, France, Italy and Brazil. | BT Sport's channels will also show 69 live Aviva Premiership rugby matches per season, plus live football from leagues in Germany, France, Italy and Brazil. |
| Chief executive Ian Livingston said: "UK sports fans have had a rough deal for too long. Many have been priced out of the market, but we will change this by giving away BT Sport for free with our broadband. | Chief executive Ian Livingston said: "UK sports fans have had a rough deal for too long. Many have been priced out of the market, but we will change this by giving away BT Sport for free with our broadband. |
| "Sports fans are the winners today." | "Sports fans are the winners today." |
| Broadband | Broadband |
| BSkyB dominates the pay-TV market with around 10 million customers, but lags behind BT with 4.3 million broadband customers. | BSkyB dominates the pay-TV market with around 10 million customers, but lags behind BT with 4.3 million broadband customers. |
| BT Sport is also taking on BSkyB in pubs and clubs with a 12-months-for-nine subscription and free installation special offer lasting until 1 July. | BT Sport is also taking on BSkyB in pubs and clubs with a 12-months-for-nine subscription and free installation special offer lasting until 1 July. |
| Around half the premises taking up the offer will end up paying £135 a month, BT said, while packages for hotels and betting shops could undercut Sky by 75%. | Around half the premises taking up the offer will end up paying £135 a month, BT said, while packages for hotels and betting shops could undercut Sky by 75%. |
| Former BBC presenter Jake Humphrey will front BT Sport's Premier League coverage, and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand will provide opinion and analysis, along with several other sports stars. | Former BBC presenter Jake Humphrey will front BT Sport's Premier League coverage, and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand will provide opinion and analysis, along with several other sports stars. |
| BSkyB's share price was down 6% in early afternoon trading, with BT's stock 2.4% lower. Some investors have worried that a battle for customers between the companies could drive down margins and profits. |