BT Sport passes 10,000 commercial customers

Over 10,000 UK pubs, clubs, betting shops, hotels and other commercial customers have signed up for BT Sport since the UK telco’s service launched, according to BT. 

BT claims to undercut rival BSkyB’s commercial offering by up to 76%, based on an average rateable value of an independent pub being £24,000 (€28,000). The operator recently announced its first commercial contract in the gaming sector with independent bookmaker Betfred. BT’s three sports channels will be available in Betfred’s 1,370 outlets across the UK for the next three years.

BT estimates that half of the UK’s 75,000 pubs and clubs are showing only free-to-air sports, outnumbering those who take Sky’s service by a wide margin.

Bruce Cuthbert, director of commercial customers, BT Sport, said: “Pre-season has gone incredibly well for the BT Sport team. Signing up more than 10,000 commercial customers before a ball is kicked in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement. BT Sport is an affordable and exciting new service for pubs, clubs and their customers. Interest has been phenomenal and underlines the value, quality and broad appeal that we offer. We are particularly delighted that this includes brand new commercial customers for premium sports who have historically been unable to afford Sky’s high prices.”