New French Top 14 TV Deal

[Peg Leg]

I won't be able to justify both Sky & BT next year. Do people think it will be worth keeping the Sky Sports subscription on without having BT? I have a faint hope that Sky will have a heavier weighting of European matches involving Rabo teams, and BT will have more English teams - but I'm sure that's wrong.

What are people planning?

We may possibly see something along the lines of what sky do with the kickyball. For eg. They have every Liverpool game. Depending on what way coverage is spread for the pro 12, I may not opt for either and use sky's broadband to watch some streamed footage.

[Vamos los azules]

I won't be able to justify both Sky & BT next year. Do people think it will be worth keeping the Sky Sports subscription on without having BT? I have a faint hope that Sky will have a heavier weighting of European matches involving Rabo teams, and BT will have more English teams - but I'm sure that's wrong.

What are people planning?

One of the media reports about the TV deal suggested BT are getting first pick of 3 games involving English teams and sky first pick of 3 games involving non English sides.

I think it will depend on the draw but if that set up is what actually happens I can see Irish provinces v French teams being high priority for sky, but matches between Irish provinces and English teams could get claimed by BT before sky get a chance. Sky gets you Pro 12 as well next season so for Irish fans I would say that's the one to go for if it's one of the two.

I am fully expecting a total stitch up in terms of spread of matches between the two broadcasters when it comes down to it though, particularly for the teams with large fan bases. I can see the likes of Leinster, Munster and Leicester being fought over whereas Saracens and their lack of fans may be less attractive.

[domhnallj]

I won't be able to justify both Sky & BT next year. Do people think it will be worth keeping the Sky Sports subscription on without having BT? I have a faint hope that Sky will have a heavier weighting of European matches involving Rabo teams, and BT will have more English teams - but I'm sure that's wrong.

What are people planning?

Planning on waiting to see what way the games are divided, but if Sky have the Rabo then I will re-subscribe. I get BT as part of having BB with them but again, waiting to see if they renew that deal for subscribers - could end up moving lock stock and barrel to Sky for phone, BB and sports if the cards fall that way.

[leinster4life13]

HD stream, hdmi to TV, all you need, either that or its down the club.

[CiaranIrl]

Cheers all. I'll stick with Sky for a bit I reckon. If I end up missing too many European games, I'll probably just drop it and attempt to join the streaming brigade.

[Morf]

HD stream, hdmi to TV, all you need, either that or its down the club.

Great when they work. Some can be immaculate all the way through and others you give up after 15 minutes of constant buffering for a rubbish flash stream.

[Lamb of BOD]

HD stream, hdmi to TV, all you need, either that or its down the club.

Great when they work. Some can be immaculate all the way through and others you give up after 15 minutes of constant buffering for a rubbish flash stream.

I've found that using an ad-blocker significantly improves the quality and strength of the streams

[Morf]

HD stream, hdmi to TV, all you need, either that or its down the club.

Great when they work. Some can be immaculate all the way through and others you give up after 15 minutes of constant buffering for a rubbish flash stream.

I've found that using an ad-blocker significantly improves the quality and strength of the streams

I do also. Acestream when working is excellent.

[Dave Cahill]

This deal has been set aside by the Competition Authority in France - more details in the Top14 thread