UPDATE: SKY AND THE DISCOVERY NETWORK HAVE STRUCK A DEAL LAST NIGHT MEANING EUROSPORT WILL REMAIN ON SKY
Eurosport has been broadcasting snooker for more than a decade in the UK and Ireland and more recently in mainland Europe. The popular channel is the biggest broadcaster of snooker, with practically every professional tournament being shown over the two Eurosport channels unlike the BBC which broadcasts only four tournaments.
The argument between Sky and the Discovery network (Eurosport included) is based around channel pricing. According to Sky, Discovery are asking for 1 billion pounds to show their channels on Sky.
Sky has said that these demands are unrealistic especially for channels that’s losing ratings.
As a result, Sky has refused to pay what Discovery asks and the deal is broken, leaving us without Eurosport.
Snooker has struggled with popularity over the past decade in the UK and Ireland, but with Eurosport not being shown on Sky anymore, the game will hardly be seen unless snooker fans make alternative arrangements.
For existing Sky customers, snooker fans will have to make alternative arrangements in the coming weeks if they wish to continue watching snooker on Eurosport.
Sky is the biggest TV company in the UK. Other networks such as VirginMedia will continue to broadcast Eurosport so there are options available.
Other options include signing up to the Eurosport player which streams live snooker.
This news will clearly knock snooker ratings further in the UK but the question is; By how much?
