Cutting the cord: Sky are fostering their own downfall

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Last week we discussed a Bloomberg article on the increasing availability of premium quality, pirated, broadcast content, made possible by set-top boxes.  In short, products are available to make any amount of premium sports or movie content available to users without subscription, with little the law can do about it.

Quite apart from pirate viewing, subscription broadcast numbers are under pressure from legal streaming services, such as Amazon Instant Video and Netflix, a drift known as Cutting the Cord.  A survey published this week reports that 8.2% of US broadcast subscribers ditched their service in 2014 in favour of streaming.  More significantly, 45.2% of US subscribers report they cut back on content they paid their broadcast supplier for.

UK satellite and cable TV subscribers pay some of the top prices in the world for sports and other premium content.  A dysfunctional market has emerged due to the controlling position of two players:

BSkyB, who dominate subscription TV supply in the UK
The FA Premier League, who own the key content for the UK market

Within this market there are winners and losers.  The winners are English and Welsh football clubs who earn enormous revenues from the FA Premier League TV deal, and subsequent trickle-down monies.  The losers are UK subscribers, who paid a fortune to keep the BskyB-FA Premier League contract in funds, and, of course, Scottish football clubs, who are excluded from the England and Wales league system.

Scotland is 8% of BskyB’s business, significant enough to make a dent in its revenues, but more importantly, if a US-style drift from expensive subscriptions is fostered in Scotland, it will move south soon enough.

I’ve been looking into this since we discussed it last week and will report back.

Shocked and stunned to read in the Daily Mail that Dave King met Sports Direct on the morning of his club’s EGM, as reported by Phil MacGiollaBhain a week ago.  That will explain the lack of denial, I suppose.  The interesting question is: Who gave the Daily Mail the story?  Dave King, or through his PR company?

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583 Comments

  1. 67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar...... Ipox belongs to the creditors on

    green man

     

     

    10:06 on 25 June, 2015

     

     

    Much better to be like me…..cup half-full in respect of ALL THINGS CELTIC……there are enough Celtic basher s out there ……FAITHFUL THROUGH AND THROUGH …WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW ……HH, my friend in Celtic ….!!!!

  2. First is it safe to come out, those Sammi rumours away yet :-)

     

    He done very well for us in Europe, under Lenny’s system, but started less than 10 league games, we cannot afford a luxury like that, imho ?

     

     

     

    Hutchbhoy

     

     

    I will ask the question for you, I do know on Sunday 23 of the 25 teams spaces had been taken.

     

    I will drop Big J a note when I have an answer, I believe he has your contact ?

     

     

    PS – I was asked by a serial lurker ( aye you big G) on Saturday if you are related to the McMinns ((Raploch)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  3. The Green Man on

    67Heaven

     

     

    When I was 6 years old, the sight of Bobby Lennox was enough to leave me in awe of Celtic.

     

    The buzz I got when I watched Celtic run on to the park, still remains to this day.

     

    When I am 56….I will be in amongst the finest supporters in the world, travelling to see the Celtic.

     

    I may complain about PL and the board, but my love for Celtic, will never die.

     

     

     

    HH

  4. Retro day for Zombies ?

     

     

    SD do retro Celtic tops probably do zombies ones too.

     

     

    Pop in buy a xxxl sorted

     

     

    That will show MASH….

  5. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    macjay1,

     

     

    Saw your post on a read back.

     

     

    Morag Hood,eh? That’s a name from the distant past.

     

     

    I have absolutely no recollection of that programme, but it captured the zeitgeist of the day…..suits an’ all.

     

     

    Hope you are well and thanks for “settling the family argument”. #showbizsam

  6. hun skelper

     

    08:37 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

    See the orcs are having a ‘old top day’ 1st game of the season, reason for it – to show Ashley and sports direct what there missing out on.

     

    For the last time stupid zombies

     

    Ashley and SD don’t care if you buy the new top because they get their money no matter what, you buy they get money you don’t sevco buy them they get their money. Ashley/SD can’t lose :-) HH

     

     

    They have a brain closure for any news that they dont like.As has been proved.

     

    The very thing that killed them,is as prevalent as ever.

     

    Gullible,stupid,moronic,detached from any reality.It makes all of our days brighter.Even Jobos weather.

  7. 67 Heaven

     

     

    I sincerely hope that the “talkin baws” piece is doing exactly that. Samaras is done, finito! Thanks for the memories Sammi, but please dont pull on the Hoops, except maybe for a charity game!

     

     

    All this talk about bringing back Samaras/McGeady/Hooper stinks of what Pep McCoist was trying to do at Sevco.

     

     

    Sorry guys, but not for me!

     

     

    HH

  8. The Green Man on

    Ah those pesky kids….Hippy Crack for breakfast at Glasto.

     

    Well, it sure beats cornflakes.

     

    What will they be having for dinner….the mind boggles.

     

    Big corporate festival now.

     

    It used to be fun at Glasto in the old days.

     

    I once interrupted a scouse pal of mine as he was deep in conversation with a random cow in a field.

     

    I think it was as a result of something he ate.

     

    However….I was absolutely fine:)

     

     

     

    HH

  9. Cowiebhoy, Thank you very much :-). Big J has my number so that would be smashing…….. Yes i’m related to the McMinns, they’re my cousins ;-) HH

  10. lennon's passion on

    Leon Fasan doing a question and answering session after training. Not seen much of this bhoy is he good enough to be our number 2 keeper.

  11. traditionalist88 on

    Gene

     

    19:26 on

     

    24 June, 2015

     

    So we are up in arms when the dead club defrauded the taxpayer – but its ok to defraud the broadcasters and of course the legitimate subscribers by various means.

     

     

    Let the denials that this is anything but cheating begin.

     

    ===

     

     

     

    Until they pay us what we are due the more the merrier. It may just be what is needed to halt the whole Sky/EPL juggernaut.

  12. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    thomthethim for Oscar OK

     

    10:36 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

     

    A gentleman.

     

    As ever.

     

    Must be thon education.

  13. The Celtic team that lost to Maribor.Good Lord,was it any wonder.

     

     

    26 Gordon

     

    04 Ambrose Emuobo

     

    03 Izaguirre

     

    21 Mulgrew

     

    23 Lustig (Boerrigter – 72′ Booked )

     

    05 van Dijk Booked

     

    42 McGregor

     

    25 Johansen

     

    10 Stokes

     

    33 Kayal (Commons – 45′

     

     

     

    Booked )

     

    16 Berget (Matthews – 66′ )

     

     

    How really were we under prepared then?

  14. Jonny the Tim,

     

     

    I would take Hooper out of that.

     

    As the advert says”He does what it says on the tin”,he scores goals for us.Dont care what he did at Norwich,he was a match made in heaven for us.

     

    Much rather have a striker we know,and can be sure about than an unknown quantity.We cannot afford to gamble,but I am afraid we will.

  15. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Turkeybhoy

     

    11:06 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

     

    Gary Hooper.

     

    Oh,yes.

     

    The far post strike against the hun ,having run half the length of the pitch to get there.

     

    The ball he centred for Kris to run onto and chip the hun goalie.

     

     

    Success against the hun?

     

    Say no more.You have a friend for life.

  16. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    macjay1 for neil lennon

     

     

    10:56 on 25 June, 2015

     

    thomthethim for Oscar OK

     

    10:36 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

     

    A gentleman.

     

    As ever.

     

    Must be thon education.

     

     

    ****

     

    Aye, those treks up Hopehill Rd were not in vain, though not sure about the “gentleman” bit. A few on here may disagree!

  17. turkeybhoy

     

     

    I can’t see Hooper being the type of player Ronny likes or looks for. Also, in my experience, players who return to the club, are never as good as they were the first time.

     

     

    I await loads of exceptions to that rule being pointed out to me!

     

     

    Yours in Celtic

     

     

    HH

  18. No to Sammi for me. We need to move on.

     

     

    Butsybhoy: enjoy your hols. Bringing the golf clubs with you?

  19. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    homthethim for Oscar OK

     

    11:13 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

    macjay1 for neil lennon

     

     

    10:56 on 25 June, 2015

     

    thomthethim for Oscar OK

     

    10:36 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

     

    Aye, those treks up Hopehill Rd were not in vain, though not sure about the “gentleman” bit. A few on here may disagree!

     

    ———————————————————————————————————————-

     

     

    But I know better.

     

    Considering we have never met.:-)

     

    Keep well,pal.

     

    In Celtic.

     

    Always.

  20. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Jonny the Tim

     

    11:13 on

     

    25 June, 2015

     

     

    Just one.

     

    Wee Bertie.

     

    I saw him before and after.He was better on his return.

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MACJAY

     

    JONNYTHETIM

     

     

    I think we discussed this on Friday night and I inadvertently dissed one of the Lions!

     

     

    So I’m zipped…

  22. Oh dear.Seems Useless Eustace has gone back without signing for the Huns.

     

    Looking at the other “Star”they have signed,Keirnan.Played 92 games in 8 years,with the majority being out on loan,to the likes of Acc Stanley(Who are dey),and scored 2 goals.

     

    The SMSM falling all over themselves to tell us about the qualities these two have.

     

    “Warbs will make Keirnan a star”

     

    He will be doing better than the other 12 managers then.

  23. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TURKEYBHOY

     

     

    Eustace not signing?

     

     

    Wow,that’s a big blow for them. Wasn’t he their cornerstone signing,the man whom they could build the team round?

     

     

    Once I’ve stopped laughing at a player with no other options still knocking them back,I’ll try to figure out how they will spin this in the press.

     

     

    My first guess is that they’ll barely mention it.

  24. macjay1 for Neil Lennon,

     

     

    The after burners he put on to leave Weir on his ass ,and score in the same game.

     

    Too many great goals from him.Many vital.

     

    People saying he is not the type of player Ronnie wants !!!!!!!!!!!.What,a great goalscorer?.

     

    Cant see the attraction myself.

  25. BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS,

     

     

    According to the Times,he has “Gone back to consider”Ha ha ha ha.35 year old,swithering.

  26. Jonny the Tim,

     

     

    I agree with you100%.

     

     

    Going back to the future rarely works apart from the movies.

     

    I realise the close season is rife with rumour, but I would expect our scouts and management team to show a wee bit more imagination.

     

     

    Gary Hooper wanted to leave Celtic. Has his career progressed ? Has his dream of appearing for England materialised, and is it closer now compared to when he was with Celtic ?

     

     

    Thanks for the memories Gary, best wishes for your future but it should not be with us.

     

     

    Sometimes you don’t realise what you miss until its gone. All actions have a consequence and we must send out a message that our jersey is precious and in no way inferior to teams like Norwich, Bolton etc, no matter what riches are offered.

     

     

    HH.

  27. Tell you the Clumpany didn’t miss the Evening times with his latest wee gem :-))

     

     

    Hutchybhoy, your teams in :-)) will drop big Jamesgang with contact details for you

     

     

    Hail Hail

  28. Just had to print this pearler from Hun Media,stunning,

     

     

     

    UnionMen

     

    Mark Hateley

     

     

    First Team

     

    PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip

     

    947 posts

     

    Gender:Male

     

    Location:Glasgow

     

    Posted Today, 06:41 AM

     

    The Rangers Trophy cabinet consists of (domestic):

     

     

    Scottish Championships

     

    Scottish Cups

     

    Scottish League Cups

     

    Scottish Division 3 Champions

     

    Scottish Division 2 Champions

     

     

    This season is our last chance (unless we fail to get promoted or are relegated in the future) to achieve “the clean sweep” of winning every available trophy, which is missing;

     

     

    Scottish Division 1 (Championship)

     

    Scottish Challenge Cup (Petrofac)

     

     

    How important is it to you we win “the clean sweep”, and does anyone know if a “clean sweep” has ever been achieved before anywhere else in the world? (Celt*c sweeping between the 70’s-90’s doesn’t count).

     

     

     

     

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,oh my aching sides.

  29. Eyes Wide Open on

    We all know The Rangers have always liked to employ media guru’s / PR specialists but Peter Lawell seems to be getting a peculiarly easy time of it from the media who are running with stories about Celtics failure to get into the CL by beaten, twice by teams we should have beaten being because Ronny was in a daze, too much too soon.

     

     

    The media seem to be forgetting the shambolic and near criminal scheduling of pre season friendlies – although Ronny hasnt because he keeps referring to it yet the main headlines point towards his referrals to himself.

     

     

    It wasnt just the geographical scheduling, it was the timing of them and the opposition too.

     

     

    The saying about squabbling over the pennies while the pounds roll on down the street has never been more apt.

     

     

    We might have missed out on £15m champions league money and everything else that came with it, but hey – we got a lock of pound for playing in the friendlies and Celtic Park hosted the british queen on the telly during the olympics!

     

     

    Well done Peter, you have qualified for 100% of your annualised KPI targets, take half a mill there for a job well done..

  30. Like this wee one as well

     

     

    Deila Dismisses Sevco Player Link!

     

    You’ve got to hand it to the Scottish sports media, they do try their best for their favourite new club.

     

     

    Unfortunately for them, it’s usually no where near the truth and always out of context.

     

     

    Yesterday on Sky Sports we had ‘pundit’ and regular Celtic hater, Neil McCann, ‘bigging up’ former Hearts captain Danny Wilson’s decision to return to £Ibrox, citing that the player ‘turned down Celtic and Champions League football’ to play in the second tier of Scottish Football.

     

     

    McCann chose to broadcast what was only really a hope, without checking facts first, although that…

     

    When asked at yesterdays press conference if this was in fact the case, Celtic manager Ronnie Deila dismissed the notion that Celtic had pursued the player, stating he had already signed his first choice, Belgian international Dedryck Boyata.

     

     

    Sounds about right to me. At no time did Celtic make an offer to Danny Wilson. Who says? the Celtic manager.

     

     

    So where does McCann and his cronies get their information?

     

     

    Simple answer they don’t.

     

     

    All they do is make it up as they go along. How else can you explain Celtic being linked with over 100 players since the end of the season?

     

     

    And you know what?

     

     

    It annoys the life out of the scummy SMSM who try to put our club down at every opportunity. It’s so blatant they don’t even try to hide it.

     

     

    Well, long may the club keep them at arms length and treat them with the disdain they have us for many years.

     

     

    Times are changing. We are the media now. Their time is limited and they know it.

     

     

    Like their old pals, they’ll soon be extinct…

  31. Do you think the top spot on Sky and STV will go to the news of the non signing? After all the Championship is more important than the Premier League or any announcements about European draws, etc. So that will have to get top billing this evening. Or ….