July 29, 2009

ESPN HD British football NOT a Sky HD exclusive

Uh oh...the ESPN website seems to suggest that we're not getting the British football in HD after all - check out this page which describes it as "Sky+ HD customers only". The original VM press release though says "The ESPN HD channel will offer live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football" but that ESPN page appears to contradict this. Full debate on this over on Cable Forum.

UPDATE The ever-reliable BenMCr over on Cable Forum has just posted
I have it on VERY good authority that ESPN just haven't updated their website properly yet
ESPN HD on Virgin is EXACTLY the same as ESPN HD on Sky
Ben works for VM and has always been on the money in my experience. Panic over. Sleep well...

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE ESPN has now corrected the information on its website.

19 comments:

Lester said...

looks pretty clear to me that Premier league games will only be broadcast in HD for Sky subscribers only, bad times, so near yet so far.

Nialli said...

I'm thinking the ESPN site needs an update. Here's the Internal VM memo to staff: "Today we're turning up the volume on our TV service by announcing an amazing deal with ESPN to carry all of their sports channels - including ESPN HD!

Once again the deal is something for us to shout about from the terraces, as TV Size: XL customers will get all of the ESPN channels at no extra cost - including ESPN HD.
The deal means that all 3.5 million of our digital TV customers will be able to experience every kick of every ball with access to all of the televised English and Scottish Premier League football matches - an armchair supporters dream...
The channels...
Our deal means that we'll be carrying all of the ESPN channels available:
ESPN - So far ESPN has announced a line up that includes the 46 Barclays Premier League matches and 23 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches, with more great sports content to come.
ESPN HD- Just the same great line up as ESPN - but in glorious High Definition!
Kick off...
The channels will launch on 3 August with the first live Premier League football match being Everton vs. Arsenal on 15 August at 5.30pm."

Anth B said...

Again i agree it is just a mistake. If sky had these as exclusive it would be everywhere on their website and from press reports etc it looks like the HD will come.

I hope we just get some clear confirmation, all seems very confusing.

lee said...

I wonder if we will get any of the additional ESPN channels in the future (seems to be about 8 of them??)

edw2000 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
edw2000 said...

They do mention V+ and HD on another part of the ESPN website - so it looks like it really is just waiting to be updated properly :-)

http://www.espn.co.uk/subscribe/

mattbuk said...

Typical I get no audio on any of the HD Channel. SD is fine and Picture box HD is fine.

I have my HDMI over ride on as always so the audio runs through my HDMI cable.

Rang Virgin and they said turn the HDMI over ride off - Yes it works, but no 5.1 audio and its not really the correct solution. So they are getting another techie to ring me.

Like I said all audio works apart from on the 4 HD Channels - BBC HD worked for me a few days ago.

Anyone else got this problem or is it just me?

Also does anyone know if the new channels are broadcasted in 5.1 Audio?

Unknown said...

My V+ dont have volume when i have hdmi over-ride off, using opital whist on works ace.

BikeNutt said...

Audio over HDMI just fine here.

MTV seems to be DD2.0 or DD5.1

Nat Geo is just plain old stereo that I have seen to date.

BikeNutt said...

It appears a number of customers are reporting no sound on Nat geo HD - not necessarily HDMI related.

HTH

Unknown said...

Nat Geografic for me is working well with the sound but I can't rewind and fast foward the program. It doesn't do that for some reason. Any suggestions?
Regards, Julian

Unknown said...

Is there any reference to Virgin media on ESPN website? because all I can find it's going to be launched on 3th of April and all I can see it's a logo to virgin media...when you were saying that they have update the information on the website, what were you referinf to?
thank you

Unknown said...

the PQ on all 3 new HD channels are rubbish. I am only using a 32" Toshiba, but BBC HD has always looked fantastic on the same tele

BikeNutt said...

C4HD Tomorrow!?...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a168390/c4-hd-coming-to-virgin-media-tomorrow.html

mattbuk said...

4 HD is up and running!!!

First thing I saw was Big Brother lol, doubt it would have been HD though.

Virgin are actually surprising us for once!!!! Keep them coming!

Afront said...

Update on channel numbers:

BBC HD (108)
FX HD (158)
MTVN HD (310)
National Geographic HD (232)
Channel 4 HD (146)

ESPN HD (???)
Living HD (???)
Good Food HD (???)

Unknown said...

Anyone have any news on what major US sports (if any) will be on ESPN HD? It's just that I found out the rights to UK NFL regular season haven't been sorted out yet and I am praying that maybe ESPN will now carry some!

Lakota said...

I think Nialli should bugger off on holiday more often given what's appeared while he's been away! :)

BikeNutt said...

Seconded ;-)