CLUB COMMENT “We cater for a number of different sporting fans. We have our own football section and already screen football via Sky Sports. We decided to take on BT Sport as well, however, so that we have a complete football offering. We also have many avid rugby fans. With the Rugby World Cup just two years away, we’re planning to market ourselves to the rugby audience. We want to be in position to become the viewing venue of choice.” Kevin Shults, Facilities Manager, Concorde Club “We have had BT Sport put in at our club to support the sporting activities of our members. We have even had a local rugby club come to the club for our range of beers, so being able to show the rugby made sense. The cost of BT Sport certainly made the decision easy.” Paul Hill, Club Chairman, Somers Sports & Social Club “We always consult members on ideas, but on this occasion the members approached us, the management committee. They've said they'll support the introduction of BT Sport at the club and will come to watch it at the club rather than going to the the pub to watch Sky Sports. Members are also attracted by the fact that they can view the sport here in the bar on a 50 inch TV screen as well as in the concert room on a 12 foot by 12 foot screen.” John Pyatt, Club Manager, Adderley Green WMC “We took on BT Sport because of its rugby coverage. (More of our members watch rugby than football). The live football match on Saturday lunch time at 12.45pm is also great. It brings in a lot more folk earlier than they'd normally come. We also has a big screen that wasn't used much, so it now benefits more of the membership.” Neil Gatehouse, Club Manager, The Colliton Club and the marketing of BT Sport has grown exponentially. The launch went ahead as planned on 1 August, and to date over 10,000 commercial customers have signed up to BT Sport. “Many of these clubs are adding BT Sport to their current premium sports subscription,” says Bruce. “However, we also know there are many clubs who simply cannot afford the current subscription prices of other sports providers, so for some of these clubs it’s the first time that regular Premier League football will be available to them within their budget. “There is no doubt it – sport is a subject which almost everyone is passionate about, whether it’s on the pitch or off it. Here at BT Sport we really are passionate about it and the scale of our ambition and the plans which BT has for BT Sport is nothing short of breath taking; whether it’s the 38 exclusive live Premier League games which we have, the state of the state of the art studio – the BT Hub – built and operating at the Olympic Park or the fantastic presenters and ambassadors we work with.” And BT Sport isn’t stopping there. “There’s a lot more still to come, so watch this space – or screen!” says Bruce.
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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BT SPORT Freeze-frame: a snapshot of the all-new BT Sport • BT Sport went live on 1 August. Its web site www.btsport.com went live the same day • The BT Sport star line up includes: Jake Humphrey, Clare Balding, Craig Doyle, Michael Owen, Steve McManaman, David James, Owen Hargreaves, Matt Dawson, Lynsey Hipgrave, Gary McAllister, Martin Bayfield, Anne Keothavong, Kim Little, Scott Redding, Neil Hodgson, Darrell Currie, Darren Fletcher, Sam Smith, Rosi Sexton, John Hathaway, Christian Howes, Des Kelly, Tom Watt, Caroline DeMoraes, Ian Darke, Ray Stubbs, Austin Healey, Ben Kay, Sarra Elgan, Eniola Aluko and Helen Skelton • BT Sport Hub is the biggest purpose-built sports studio in Europe • BT Broadband customers signing up to BT Sport can stream the channels live to PCs and Macs (and can watch content again post event) • The website features a #BTS section encouraging interaction with BT Sport in social media conversations and polls • A BT Sport app for selected Apple and Android smartphones and tablets can be used over 3G, 4G and wi-fi connections for live streams, highlights, news and features • Behind-the-scenes access and competitions are found on Facebook
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We have some tremendously talented presenters and experts who are passionate about sport. The customers are the ones that matter and now they will be able to see the programmes for themselves. We‘re convinced they’re going to like what they see, and we’re absolutely committed to making BT Sport fun, innovative and a firm favourite with the fans. John Petter, CEO of BT Consumer
SPORTING TIMES
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The sporting line up includes: • 38 exclusively live Barclays English Premier League matches (from August 2013 for three seasons) • Live FA Cup action • UEFA Europa League matches • Top tier live football from Germany, Italy, France and Scotland • A further 10 Rangers matches • FA Women’s Super League • 30 exclusively live football Conference matches from the Skrill Premier • WTA women’s tennis • UFC • Moto GP (from 2014)
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