News And Updates

WHEN WILL ESPN UK GO OFF THE AIR?

• ESPN is not going off the air. Its presence is just changing. At least one ESPN branded channel will remain on air as part of the BT Sport TV package.
• ESPN will continue to operate our channels unchanged until 31st July 2013. BT will then take over ownership and operation of the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• ESPN will continue to own and operate its leading digital media business into the future – which includes ESPN.co.uk, ESPNcricinfo, ESPNFC, ESPNscrum.com, ESPNF1, XGames.com and its broadband streaming service ESPN Player.
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY SUBSCRIPTION?

• For the remainder of the season, nothing changes. You can expect the same content, same coverage and same channels from ESPN. You don’t need to do anything.
• ESPN will continue to operate our channels unchanged until completion of the agreement, anticipated to be 31st July 2013. After the completion of the agreement, the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels will be owned by BT.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

WHAT HAPPENS UNTIL THE CHANNELS TRANSITION TO BT?

• For the remainder of the season, nothing changes. You can expect the same content, same coverage and same channels. Subscribers and viewers don’t need to do anything.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

WILL ESPN STAY ON SKY, VIRGIN, TALK TALK AND TOP UP TV?

• For the remainder of the season, nothing changes – and both ESPN and ESPN America will be available across all the same platforms exactly as they have been. You can expect the same content, same coverage and same channels. You don’t need to change anything.
• ESPN will continue to operate our channels unchanged until completion of the agreement (which is anticipated to be on 31st July 31, 2013). After the completion of the agreement, the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels will be owned by BT.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• For the latest ESPN update from Virgin Media please click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

WILL THE ESPN CHANNEL ON BT FEATURE THE SAME CONTENT?

• When the deal is completed, BT will own ESPN’s UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America TV channels business, including a programming portfolio consisting of marquee sports rights like the FA Cup, Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League, UEFA Europa League, German Bundesliga and more.
• Additionally, the deal will allow BT to continue to show a host of US sports currently shown on ESPN America, including College Basketball, College Football and NASCAR.
• The specific plans about BT’s sports channel lineup and programming plans will be will be available in the weeks and months ahead.  But you can anticipate that much of the programming on ESPN and ESPN America will be a part of the sports proposition from BT and is expected to form part of the BT Sport TV package that will be launched by BT in the summer
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

WHAT WILL THE ESPN CHANNEL ON BT COST?

• It is important to note that for the remainder of the season, nothing changes – the coverage, cost and content on both ESPN and ESPN America is unchanged until 31st July 2013.
• For specific plans about BT’s sports channels, programming plans and costs please click here.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ESPN AMERICA?

IN THE UK and IRELAND

• Through the completion of the deal nothing changes – both ESPN and ESPN America will be available exactly as they have been. You can expect the same content, same coverage and same channels. You don’t need to change anything.
• ESPN will continue to operate our channels unchanged until completion of the agreement, anticipated to be 31st July 2013. After the completion of the agreement, the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels will be owned by BT.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES

• Separate from the agreement with BT, ESPN is proposing that ESPN America may wind down in 2013. At this stage it is only a proposal and is subject to an appropriate consultation and review process.
• The channel continues unchanged until this summer at least, and we will update fans further in due course.
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN including updates about this and other ESPN developments from us in the weeks and months ahead please complete the form on the right.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ESPN CLASSIC?

• Following the agreement with BT, and after further review and consultation, ESPN has decided to cease broadcasting the ESPN Classic channels in the UK and Europe.
• The channel continues unchanged until 31 July, 2013. You do not need to take any action.
• You can register to get updates and announcements on this and other ESPN developments by completing the form on the right.
• ESPN will continue to own and operate all of its popular digital properties, including ESPNFC, ESPNcricinfo, ESPN.com, ESPNF1, ESPN Player and more.

WILL ESPN RETURN TO THE UK IN THE FUTURE?

• ESPN is not leaving the UK sports media landscape. Our presence is just changing.
• ESPN will continue to operate our channels unchanged until completion of the agreement, anticipated to be 31st July 2013. After the completion of the agreement, the UK and Ireland ESPN and ESPN America channels will be owned by BT.
• BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN branded channel with live sports and other sports programming forming part of the BT Sport TV package being launched by BT on 1st August 2013. For more information on BT Sport click here
• To register for updates and announcements from ESPN, please complete the form on the right.