TV Channel Predictions 2019

I'll restrict my contributions to Sport,

UEFA CL EL EL2 2021-4 rights sale is delayed until late autumn due to arguments over the new EL2 competition. When launched BT just about retains following new commitment to TV by the new BT Chair.

Eleven Sports actually survive after striking rights deals for broadcast in the early part of the year.

Sky Sports launch new part time channels as a supplement to the red button, to carry additional EFL matches and preparing for the new Cricket deal beginning Summer 2020,

Now TV finally moves to HD on its own platform in March, adding the Sky Sports part-time channels but still excluding the Red Button.

BT add Premier Sports to their output. They also regularly offer 4K Ligue1 and Bundesliga matches too. The NOW TV offering starts earlier than currently indicated.

Amazon open a Sports Portal via Prime with a comprehensive suite of streaming tools, pending the launch of EPL rights in August, to host the documentary and highlights packages they'll gain access to in addition to their ATP and US Open Tennis.

Eurosport gain more UK rights (eg. French Domestic RU) ES also offer more focussed options via the player - A cycling only pack for example, to test the water for Golf in 2021. A totally revamped player launches in late 2019 in preparation for Tokyo 2020.

Ofcom decide against changes to the Crown Jewels and which channels qualify,

BBC Sport continue to offer 4K 'tests' of Wimbledon and other events and announce that significant Olympic Coverage will be offered in UHD from Tokyo as will the Euro 2020 tournament.

Keep your eyes peeled.

A Local TV collapse as That’s TV & London Live closedown.

I think one of the two will go, but it won't be the licence fee fleecing That's.

There will still be those that will moan that oneness was better than whatever replaces it.

Well, that E4 one was correct.

While bbc 2 was six month late. But the rest were a bust.

I knew they were up to something

Here are my picks

ITV will bust their money on the new idents and fail to buy STV

Whilst the latter may be a possibility I doubt it would have anything at all to do with the former.

I wonder could we see Disney close Disney XD worldwide? It is closing soon in Australia and Disney have moved shows from Disney XD to the main Disney in the US.

I guess it’s possible if Disney want to focus on launching Disney Plus on a worldwide basis.

My predictions

Sky/Comcast remove some of the less popular channels such as Sky Two, Real Lives.

Either Sky pay over the odds for Disney content or Disney don’t renew their contract with Sky after 2020.

Oneness will stay.

At least two UKTV or Discovery channels either go or get rebranded after the BBC/Discovery split. Quest moves to LCN12 as part of the deal.

Channel 4 +1HD and 4Seven HD become available on Sky.