BT kicks off new BT Sport TV packages for pubs, clubs, hotels and other commercial premises

BT today unveiled its new BT Sport commercial TV packages for pubs, clubs, betting shops, hotels and other commercial premises. The company is offering top flight sport that includes live Barclays Premier League and FA Cup football and Aviva Premiership rugby, at prices that massively undercut Sky. 

The launch of the new BT Sport Pack introduces competition into the commercial TV sports market for the first time. A typical independent pub taking BT Sport could save 78% versus the cost of Sky 1 . 

Pubs and clubs that sign up to BT Sport before July 1, 2013, will get twelve months subscription for the price of nine and BT is also offering all licensed premises a free box and free standard installation if they do not have the set top box and satellite dish needed to receive the new service. Just over half of independent pubs who take this offer will pay the equivalent of £135 2 per month for BT Sport. 

BT research has shown that nearly half of all Britain’s pubs and clubs are showing free to air sport, nearly one and a half times more than those who have Sky 3 . Eighty eight per cent of independent pubs who don’t have Sky say they would like to show Premier League football but Sky is just too expensive 4. BT believes its lower prices will mean that more pubs will now be able to afford to show premium sports without having to change their customer offering. 

Bruce Cuthbert, director of Commercial Customers, BT Sport, said: “BT Sport will be an open, fun, inclusive place and we think it will offer broad appeal, from the wide range of sports we are offering to the fantastic presenters we have signed up. From sports fanatics to those who simply want to see a bit more sport down their local, we believe BT Sport represents an affordable and exciting new service for pubs and clubs who don’t want to change their spots.”

Hotels 
Hotels want to be able to offer their guests premium live sport in their bars, gyms and bedrooms. BT Sport is offering a special combined rate for the bar and rooms which also includes a free second card that can be used in a secondary bar, banqueting hall or even the gym. Hotels signing up before July 31, 2013 will be able to get the BT Sport Pack in their bar which includes, at no extra charge, all 3 channels for all bedrooms until May 31 2014. For example a sixty five bedroom hotel would be able to enjoy premium sport in their bar and rooms for £163 per month, which is 75% cheaper than Sky 5. 

For those hotels that only want to offer their guests sports in their rooms, the BT Sport Pack, comprising all 3 channels - BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN, will be available at a room only charge of £3 per room per month, this is less than half the price for a single Sky Sports channel 6 . 

BT Sport is an exciting new proposition which is available to all commercial premises including offices, golf clubs, sporting clubs, bookmakers and Corca registered clubs with prices starting from as little as £75 per month. 

BT has set up a dedicated UK based call centre to help commercial customers with all of their BT Sport queries. Customers can get to find out more about BT Sport’s commercial packages by calling 0800 678 1957 or visiting www.btsportbusiness.com. 

The BT Sport Pack will include BT’s brand new channels BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 2, as well as ESPN, all available in both standard definition and high definition. From next season, ESPN will be available exclusively as part of the BT Sport Pack. There will be 38 live and exclusive football matches from the Barclays Premier League – including 18 “first pick” matches - and up to 69 live rugby matches from the Aviva Premiership where BT will be the sole and exclusive broadcaster. 

BT Sport will offer more live football games from top leagues than anyone else. There will be hundreds of top flight live matches from football leagues around the world including Italy, Germany, France, Brazil and the US. Live football from Scottish Premier League plus 10 Rangers matches, FA Cup ties and the Final as well as live coverage from the UEFA Europa League. 
The channels will also feature WTA women’s tennis, action from the UFC, Moto GP, Women’s Super League football, England Under-21 games, Australian ‘A’ league soccer and action from Red Bull Extreme Sports. 

-Ends- 

1 Price comparison based on research conducted by Sweeney Pinedo in Feb 2013. 267 independent pubs surveyed paid on average £643 per month for Sky Sports vs. £138.08 for the new BT Sport Pack after discounts applied, 
2 Based on CGA data we have determined that 51% of independent pubs have an RV of £18k per year or less. If these customers sign up before July 1st 2013 and take the 12months for the price of 9 offer BT Sport will be priced at £135 per month or less 
3 Based on quantitative research with 917 pubs and clubs conducted by Sweeney Pinedo in October 2012 
4 Based on quantitative research with 922 independent pubs and clubs conducted by Sweeney Pinedo in February 2013 
5 Sign up before July 31 2013. Compared with Sky’s hotel rate card 
6 Compared to per room per month price for Sky Sports 1 from the Hotel contract available on Sky Business website at http://business.sky.com/