ESPN UK Channel?

[Rocky Balboa]

For those who have subscribed to this channel, which was formerly Setanta, how do you rate it, does it show regular boxing, be it old or current scene, etc?

[Hagler2002]

For those who have subscribed to this channel, which was formerly Setanta, how do you rate it, does it show regular boxing, be it old or current scene, etc?

It was never formerly Setanta, its a completely separate company which has nothing to do with the Irish broadcasters.

[saturday_kid]

I wouldn't subsrcibe if I was you. The only boxing you'll get (other than a few classic fights every so often) will be ESPN's Friday Night Fights a day after it airs live in the US, and apparently they aren't showing that this week (its final week for a while anyway) cos Clinton Woods Vs Cloud is on secondsout.com (don't get me started on having to pay to watch on your fuckin PC too!).

Load of shite compared to Setanta.

[stujones]

I still would like to know, are 5 still showing up to date ESPN boxing.... is this ESPN channel a complete waste of money - boxing wise.

[saturday_kid]

At the moment mate yeah, basically the only extra you'll get is the full 2 hour FNF's (and they finish for a while after this week anyway) instead of 5ive's 1 hour condensed version, and a few classic fights (mostly early Tyson fights, Ali etc).

Trouble with 5ive is they are sometimes erratic in showing their boxingUSA/FNF's (i.e sometimes repeat the week before's show etc)

[Poncey]

ESPN Classic can be seperate to ESPN UK. You can get the former with the SS bundle free.

[yiddo14]

It's great.
Shows loads of Football and ESPN Classic is probably the best channel out there right now.

[saturday_kid]

It's great.
Shows loads of Football and ESPN Classic is probably the best channel out there right now.

He did say "boxing-wise"

ESPN Classic is fun, but I wouldn't shell out £12.99 a month just for that pleasure, as has been said that comes free with Sky Sports on Sky.

Does anyone know if ESPN are gonna actually show Woods/Cloud or what?

[twenty six]

This has been done to death these last few weeks on various threads.
ESPN UK runs on totally different lines to Setanta.
It is marketed by Sky, and runs on their platform.
It is not run as a competitior.
It only exists to present itself as a different entity to enable the footaball rights to be secured, and get around any monopoly issues with the Broadcasting Authorities.
They have no interest in UK boxing.
They dont intend to compete with Sky Sports.
The FFN stuff is shown because its paid for already in USA and provided it doesn't cross over with any UK viewing (hence the Woods issue) we get to see it.
I was hoping they would take over the Hayemaker contract but I just can't see that now.
The biggest sell was David himself - but he's signed with Sky.
I think I'm right in saying that if you trace back the family tree of ownership of both ESPN and Sky you get to the same point.
Says it all really.

[chinny]

I think I'm right in saying that if you trace back the family tree of ownership of both ESPN and Sky you get to the same point.
Says it all really.

I agree with most of your post but this last bit is just plain wrong. Disney (ESPN) and Murdoch (Sky) have various 'strategic alliances', like STAR tv in Asia but they are owned by completely different entities.

For now, while it suits them both, they are sharing a bed.

[twenty six]

Chinny,
ESPN yes, but ESPN UK ?
Should have made that clear mate.
Bedmates - you are absolutely right.