BT hopes to bring Sky Sports to BT Vision

BT expects Sky Sports to be part of its BT Vision package by next summer, according to incoming CEO Marc Watson.

Sky Sports

Watson told The Independent that Ofcom’s announcement last month that BSkyB should cut its wholsale price by almost a third will pave the way for a Sky Sports offering on IPTV platform BT Vision.

Currently the platform doesn’t have a dedicated sports channel, following the demise of Setanta earlier this year.

Watson said that although BSkyB opposes Ofcom’s recommendation, he’s confident a deal can be made.

“We’re looking forward rather than back in terms of our relationship with Sky,” he said. “We have a great deal of respect for it, both in terms of its corporation and its executives, we have very good personal relationships there. I think what we need is a grown-up, commercial relationship with it in which we can sell its products, make it some money and make ourselves some money too.”

A deal with Sky would significantly increase the attraction of BT Vision, which currently provides 40 Freeview channels alongside selected on-demand content, including movies.

Its film catelogue was added to today after BT revealed details of a partnership with Sony Pictures Television to bring films including Terminator Salvation, Angels & Demons and Rachel Getting Married to the platform.

Watson said, “Sony Pictures movies are a substantial, high-profile addition to BT Vision. It means we now have long-term deals with all the major studios.”

Earlier this month Match.com launched a branded channel on BT Vision

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk