BT Sport reveals coverage and pricing plans for August launch

BT Sport have announced further plans for their channels and coverage, ahead of their launch into the UK sports market in August.

Jake Humphrey leads their football coverage. Confirmed today former Sky Sports & current ESPN US commentator Ian Darke will join BT, along with BBC 5 live’s Darren Fletcher.

Michael Owen, who is retiring from the game, will be co-commentator. Other pundits will include Steve McManaman, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Gareth Bale and more.

Premier League referee Mark Halsey joins BT Sport in August in a brand new role in the commentary team working across the channels’ football coverage. Halsey has refereed in the Premier League since 1999, and is retiring at the end of the season.
Established ESPN broadcaster Ray Stubbs will also join as chief football reporter.

BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN will feature 38 live Premier League games, including 18 ‘first pick’ matches. There will also be live games from other leagues around the world including Germany, France, Italy and Brazil – as well as FA Cup ties, the UEFA Europa League and Scottish football. Derek Rae of ESPN is widely expected to join the setup also, to continue his work on the Scottish football. That is yet to be confirmed however. BT will also devote coverage to women’s Football and the Hyundai A-League in Australia.

Elsewhere Moto GP rights have been confirmed, after we reported earlier in the week they were set to be heading to BT from the BBC & Eurosport for next season. Coverage is going to presented from the Olympic Park and on-site with best of the BBC & Eurosport talents being picked.

Rugby – Craig Doyle will front the channels Aviva Premiership coverage along with many of the ESPN team including Nick Mullins, Ben Kay, Austin Healey and Sarra Elgan. Newcomers are Matt Dawson, Martin Bayfield (who works with Doyle on ITV’s Premiership rugby highlights) and Alastair Ekyn from the BBC.

BT have signed a deal with the Women’s Tennis Association to show matches from 21 global tournaments and Martina Navratilova has joined the channel to be alongside presenter Lynsey Hipgrave.

Claire Balding will present and also co-produce a weekly sports magazine chat show that will cover big sporting issues and also focus on women’s sport and Tim Lovejoy will bring a magazine show to the channel every weekend.

BT also announced pricing for their channel. In a surprising move current BT Broadband subscribers will get the new BT Sport channels for free if they sign up before the first of August. That is around five million people! People can buy the channel stand-a-lone at £12 SD or £15 HD per month. However if you subscribe through this medium before August the 1st you will get HD for £12 for the first year.

[Written by Callum Patterson @CPontheradio]