BT has agreed to acquire ESPN's UK and Ireland TV channels business, subject to regulatory approval. This consists mainly of the ESPN and ESPN America channels and their live sports rights portfolio, including the FA Cup, Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League, UEFA Europa League, and the German Bundesliga. The deal is expected to complete on 31 July, after which BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN-branded channel. This will form part of the BT Sport TV package set to launch in summer 2013. Additionally, the deal will allow BT to continue to show a range of US sports currently shown on ESPN America, including NCAA College Basketball, NCAA College Football and NASCAR.
Until the deal is completed, the service for current subscribers to the ESPN channels across all TV platforms remains unchanged. ESPN will continue to own and operate its existing digital media businesses which include multi-sport news and information portal ESPN.co.uk, ESPNcricinfo (cricket), ESPNFC (football), ESPNscrum (rugby), ESPNF1 (Formula 1) and broadband streaming service ESPN Player. ESPN Classic has been excluded from the proposed deal. Separate from the agreement with BT, ESPN is proposing the wind down of ESPN Classic throughout the EMEA region and the non-UK ESPN America TV businesses.
Until the deal is completed, the service for current subscribers to the ESPN channels across all TV platforms remains unchanged. ESPN will continue to own and operate its existing digital media businesses which include multi-sport news and information portal ESPN.co.uk, ESPNcricinfo (cricket), ESPNFC (football), ESPNscrum (rugby), ESPNF1 (Formula 1) and broadband streaming service ESPN Player. ESPN Classic has been excluded from the proposed deal. Separate from the agreement with BT, ESPN is proposing the wind down of ESPN Classic throughout the EMEA region and the non-UK ESPN America TV businesses.
