UK telecommunications company BT is planning to launch three pay-television channels to exploit the sports rights it has acquired in recent months, according to the Financial Times.
BT is planning to launch at least two dedicated sports channels, with a third channel being considered to broadcast other content, including on-demand programmes and one-off pay-per-view matches.
BT is reported to believe that it needs three channels to avoid clashes in its sports coverage.
BT’s rights include 38 matches per season from English football’s Premier League in a three-year deal, from 2013-14 to 2015-16. It has also secured the rights to English club rugby union’s top-tier Premiership for four years, from 2013-14 to 2016-17.