BT Group and ESPN announced in February an agreement for BT to acquire ESPN’s UK and Ireland TV channels business.
Following the agreement with BT, and after further review and consultation, ESPN has decided to cease broadcasting the ESPN America channel across Europe and the Middle East (except the UK and Ireland), and ESPN Classic channels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The date that the channels go off air will be different across different markets, based upon distribution agreements. However, in most markets, both channels will continue exactly as they are, unchanged, until 31 July, 2013 (30th June 2013 in the Middle East) and you will continue to get the exact same sports content and coverage until that time.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY SUBSCRIPTION?
You will need to contact your TV provider with whom you have your subscription.
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE SPORTS (e.g. MLB, NFL, NCAA) AND PROGRAMMES (DOCUMENTARIES OR CLASSIC SPORTS) WHEN THEY GO OFF THE AIR?
Some of the content from ESPN America, such as NCAA sports and X Games, can be watched online via ESPN’s streaming service ESPN Player. (
www.espnplayer.com)
ESPN will also continue to sell some sports and programmes to other broadcasters throughout Europe.
Other US Sports content will be televised on other channels.
WHAT WILL ESPN BE DOING IN THE FUTURE IN EUROPE?
ESPN has a successful digital business that includes multiple websites including ESPNFC, ESPN.com, ESPNcricinfo and ESPNF1 as well as sports streaming service ESPN Player.
ESPN will also continue its content syndication sales business, selling sports coverage and programmes to other broadcasters.
