BT considering up to three sports channels

UK telco BT could launch three sports channels next year to cope with the amount of rights it will own.

According to an FT report, BT is preparing two regular sports channels to avoid the clashing of events. Earlier this year, the telco acquired a package of Premier League rights in a deal worth £246 million (€303 million) per season for 38 matches, starting from the 2013/2014 season. It subsequently announced that it would launch a dedicated sports channel next summer to air the matches.

Since then, BT has acquired Premiership rugby rights along with rights to matches involving English clubs in European competitions in a four-year deal worth £152 million. It has also signed football rights deals with Italian, French, Brazilian and US leagues.

BT is also reported to be considering a third channel that would air one-off pay-per-view games and on-demand content.