By Robbie Butler
I am currently working on a paper that is examining competition in the market for sports broadcasting. A recent document by Ofcom entitled "Review of the pay TV wholesale must-offer obligation" provides some excellent insights into sports subscription channels in the UK.
The figures below are based on survey data collected by Ofcom who sought "to identify which specific sports and competitions within sports are important to subscribers". The authority surveyed subscribers of both Sky Sports and/or BT Sport and asked them which sports or competitions were essential viewing, and as such, could be considered one of the main reasons for paying their subscription fee. The results are what I expected to see and illustrate the percentage of respondents that deemed each sport essential.
I am currently working on a paper that is examining competition in the market for sports broadcasting. A recent document by Ofcom entitled "Review of the pay TV wholesale must-offer obligation" provides some excellent insights into sports subscription channels in the UK.
The figures below are based on survey data collected by Ofcom who sought "to identify which specific sports and competitions within sports are important to subscribers". The authority surveyed subscribers of both Sky Sports and/or BT Sport and asked them which sports or competitions were essential viewing, and as such, could be considered one of the main reasons for paying their subscription fee. The results are what I expected to see and illustrate the percentage of respondents that deemed each sport essential.
Football is more than three-times as important than any other sport to the average viewer. This may explain the reason behind BT Sports drive to increase its football offering. The channel currently boasts exclusive games for the Premier League UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Portugal’s Primeira Liga, and more.
The importance of football is even more pronounced when one considers specific sporting contests.
The importance of football is even more pronounced when one considers specific sporting contests.
The top six events for sports subscribers are all football. The Football League (The Championship, League One and League Two) are more important to subscribers than headline events in other sports such as The Cricket World Cup or Ryder Cup. Scottish Football ranks higher than most on the list.
No doubt Leicester's fairytale season will only add to the interest in football. In future, subscribers could deem football even more essential.
No doubt Leicester's fairytale season will only add to the interest in football. In future, subscribers could deem football even more essential.
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