BBC keeps EPL radio rights, will stream games

[BuffloSoldier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3777341.stm

Nice for us on this side of the Atlantic...

[DAGSports]

This has to be very expensive. The BBC is basically devalueing any premium radio coverage available (even if they will only have 1-2 matches per week), which I don't think UEFA and FIFA will love, since I'm sure they know that virtually anyone can access Five Live web streams.

Teams might as well not even offer webcasts of games the BBC will offer, much less include them in the video packages.

[kevruth]

This has to be very expensive. The BBC is basically devalueing any premium radio coverage available (even if they will only have 1-2 matches per week), which I don't think UEFA and FIFA will love, since I'm sure they know that virtually anyone can access Five Live web streams.

Teams might as well not even offer webcasts of games the BBC will offer, much less include them in the video packages.

Actually, this is a good advertising tool for the Premiership. There are few teams broadcosting for free and the fact that you can't draw in new fans from around the world if they can't find the matches.

And why would UEFA or FIFA care? It is no skin off of their backs. Residents of those will be more interested in their own leagues. The Premiership would be at most a secondary choice of those listeners. And remember not everyone speaks English. Why do you think Americans are more interested in England anyway? Simply because most people can only speak English.

The main reason why the Premiership had to breakdown and allow them free webcasts is the fact that about half of the clubs flagship radio stations are BBC stations. The BBC is has been fighting the Premiership and, more importantly, with the Football League which who charge for BBC commentaries. The BBC has the rights in controlling the rebroadcast of their commentaries. The Football League broke down and have allowed some of their First Division matches to be free as compensation to the BBC for all of those matches that the Football League have been airing through their partnership with NTL. It only makes sense that the Premiership do the same thing.

As for the clubs, well, if the BBC told them they could not use their commentaries for subscription online only then the clubs would have to hire their own commentary teams and all of the other incidentals that go with broadcasting. That is very expensive. Also, a lot of clubs are finding that their subscription broadcasts are not making a profit. They just don't have enough listeners. So why not end those costs and just let the BBC carry their matches for them? True they won't get a biased commentary team but it would still save them a load of cash.

One thing that the BBC brings to the online table is a very large streaming network. They can handle the load. Some of the commercial stations don't have a good network for online use. I now Charlton had several problems this past season with their contract with Capital Gold. Capital Gold was required to provide an online match whether Charlton was being aired over the airwaves or not. Those days when they weren't the match of choice we got some sideline reporter trying to write his report while he was calling the game. Not good commentary at all. Because of all this Charlton have switched to BBC London and have far more guarantees of quality and no screwups.

I also think the Premier League, the Football League and the FA have realized that they have been losing fans outside of England and they see the potential that those fans bring to England bank accounts. Offer the broadcasts for free and maybe they will buy a Premiership or England National team shirt.

[da_cfo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3777341.stm

Nice for us on this side of the Atlantic...

Note that internet broadcasts can now be authorized on a country-by-country basis.

Technology is available to block anyone outside the UK from accessing the BBC radio streams.

BBC only bought UK domestic radio and Internet streaming audio rights, not international rights.

[DAGSports]

Actually, this is a good advertising tool for the Premiership. There are few teams broadcosting for free and the fact that you can't draw in new fans from around the world if they can't find the matches.

And why would UEFA or FIFA care? It is no skin off of their backs. Residents of those will be more interested in their own leagues. The Premiership would be at most a secondary choice of those listeners. And remember not everyone speaks English. Why do you think Americans are more interested in England anyway? Simply because most people can only speak English.

The main reason why the Premiership had to breakdown and allow them free webcasts is the fact that about half of the clubs flagship radio stations are BBC stations. The BBC is has been fighting the Premiership and, more importantly, with the Football League which who charge for BBC commentaries. The BBC has the rights in controlling the rebroadcast of their commentaries. The Football League broke down and have allowed some of their First Division matches to be free as compensation to the BBC for all of those matches that the Football League have been airing through their partnership with NTL. It only makes sense that the Premiership do the same thing.

As for the clubs, well, if the BBC told them they could not use their commentaries for subscription online only then the clubs would have to hire their own commentary teams and all of the other incidentals that go with broadcasting. That is very expensive. Also, a lot of clubs are finding that their subscription broadcasts are not making a profit. They just don't have enough listeners. So why not end those costs and just let the BBC carry their matches for them? True they won't get a biased commentary team but it would still save them a load of cash.

One thing that the BBC brings to the online table is a very large streaming network. They can handle the load. Some of the commercial stations don't have a good network for online use. I now Charlton had several problems this past season with their contract with Capital Gold. Capital Gold was required to provide an online match whether Charlton was being aired over the airwaves or not. Those days when they weren't the match of choice we got some sideline reporter trying to write his report while he was calling the game. Not good commentary at all. Because of all this Charlton have switched to BBC London and have far more guarantees of quality and no screwups.

I also think the Premier League, the Football League and the FA have realized that they have been losing fans outside of England and they see the potential that those fans bring to England bank accounts. Offer the broadcasts for free and maybe they will buy a Premiership or England National team shirt.
I definitely see your point, although if Oliver is right, this is moot. IIRC, Sirius Satellite Radio in conjunction with SportsUSA (the producers of "World Soccer Weekly") owns the North American Radio rights.

[Treetaliano]

Technology is available to block anyone outside the UK from accessing the BBC radio streams.

no there does not.

it takes 3 seconds of changing one setting in your browser to get around this.

[BigSoccer Radio]

I definitely see your point, although if Oliver is right, this is moot. IIRC, Sirius Satellite Radio in conjunction with SportsUSA (the producers of "World Soccer Weekly") owns the North American Radio rights.


You are correct. Soccer Weekly, Inc. (the production company that produces World Soccer Weekly and all the great BS Radio shows) owns the rights in conjunction with Sirius and Sports Byline USA.

We are looking closely at this BBC streaming deal and what is comprised of.

[DAGSports]

You are correct. Soccer Weekly, Inc. (the production company that produces World Soccer Weekly and all the great BS Radio shows) owns the rights in conjunction with Sirius and Sports Byline USA.

We are looking closely at this BBC streaming deal and what is comprised of.
What might you be looking for? Maybe to allow the BBC to carry games you don't but not those you will?

I don't have Sirius but is it true that you plan to offer 2 matches per week starting next season (10:00 Saturday, 11:00 Sunday)?

[da_cfo]

no there does not.

it takes 3 seconds of changing one setting in your browser to get around this.

The technology exists to block ALL BBC radio streams from any PC that is not located in the UK.

I understand that someone in the UK can set up "proxy servers" to allow PCs located outside the UK to "spoof" existing blocking technology.

(I have Cisco and Microsoft certifications so I am not a complete idiot in this subject.)

Of course the technology providers (i.e. Cisco Systems and its competitors) are working to come up with anti-spoofing countermeasures.

The arms race between the technology providers and the pirates will continue indefinitely.

[BigSoccer Radio]

What might you be looking for? Maybe to allow the BBC to carry games you don't but not those you will?

I don't have Sirius but is it true that you plan to offer 2 matches per week starting next season (10:00 Saturday, 11:00 Sunday)?


We get the feed from TWI/IMG. We discussed expanding the scope to two two matches per weekend.

However, if BBC is to make its stream available worldwide (which I don't think they have the right to do) it will affect the rights fees for the radio rights.