BT Group buys ESPN UK and Ireland channels

BT Group and ESPN announced on Monday that they have agreed that BT will acquire ESPN's UK and Ireland TV channels.

The channels compromise of ESPN and ESPN America channels and their live sports rights which include FA Cup, Clydesadale Bank Scottish Premier League, UEFA Europa League. 

The deal is expected to be completed on July 31^st, 2013. BT will continue to operate at least one ESPN-branded channel which his expected to form part of the BT Sport TV package that will be launched by BT this summer.

Marc Watson, chief executive of television at BT said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with ESPN for the acquisition of their UK channels business and that we have been able to add some exciting new sports rights to the ones we already have.”

The deal will enable BT sport customers to be able to see live coverage of the FA Cup 2013/2014 season, and the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League until the end of 2016/2017 and the UEFA Europa League. 

Ross Hair, managing director of ESPN said: "“We could not be more proud of the TV channels built and nurtured by our talented team over the past four years.

The value of that hard work is reflected in this deal with BT and the continuation of ESPN on television screens across the UK and Ireland. The same passion, commitment and innovation will be at the heart of how we develop our strong digital media business into the future.”

The ESPN channels will be broadcast from BT sport's new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

Are you excited for more coverage of sports?