Swedish communications company Ericsson has signed a multi-year broadcast and media services deal with BT Sport to help the UK pay-television broadcaster launch three new channels and an interactive red button service.
BT Sport recently confirmed plans to launch BT Sport Showcase, a free-to-air digital channel that will broadcast live coverage of Uefa Champions League and Europa League football games from the 2015-16 season.
The broadcaster will also launch a new pay-television channel, BT Sport Europe, as well as BT Sport Ultra HD, Europe’s first 4k ultra high-definition channel.
Under the agreement with Ericsson, the company will be responsible for designing, building and running the three new channels.
Ericsson will also help deliver BT Sport’s new BT Sport Extra red button service, which will allow subscribers to choose between eight different Uefa games being broadcast simultaneously.
As part of the new deal, BT Sport has also extended Ericsson’s existing contract for its primary BT Sport 1 and BT Sports 2 pay-television channels by a further three years.