VIRGIN MEDIA HAS announced that it is dropping the eir Sport and BT Sport channels from its cable package after both sides failed to reach a new agreement over pricing.
As things stand, Virgin Media – formerly UPC – offers customers six channels on the eir Sports pack for an additional €22 a month.
These include a mixture of eir Sports (formerly Setanta Sports) and BT Sports channels.
The channels provide customers with access to 42 Premier League matches, coverage of the Allianz National Hurling and Football Leagues, all Champions League and Europa League games and UFC events including Conor McGregor’s upcoming rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202, among others.
However, both sides failed to reach an agreement on new terms to renew the service agreement, with Virgin Media citing eir Sport’s failure to retain the rights to Saturday afternoon Premier League matches as a reason for dropping the package.
“We have made every effort to agree commercial terms with eir Sport that reflect the reduced value within their sports pack however their pricing was excessive and simply wasn’t realistic relative to their content offering which has essentially been halved,” said Bill Blake, Virgin Media Ireland’s head of TV content.
Virgin Media said that instead it is now offering customers continued service of Sky Sports channels, including the new Sky Sports Mix channel, which will replace eir Sports.
Eir said that the decision will affect over 300,000 Virgin Media customers, as the basic eir Sports channel will now no longer be available (it has been offered by UPC/Virgin Media since 2004).
“If Virgin Media wants to carry the channels from 1 August eir Sport is available for further talks to ensure their customers don’t miss out,” eir said.
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