BT’s underlying revenue growth has improved from -3 per cent last quarter to around zero at both retail and group level, standing it in good stead as it forges ahead with its free premium sports offering – BT Sport.
According to Enders Analysis, BT Sport is positioned well as a defensive/win-back product against loses to Sky.
However, the product being free raises the direct operating losses that have to be set against these benefits.
Enders has said BT Sport has “laid down the gauntlet for Sky” who risk elevated rights costs, with there being a risk of further inflation in three years as another major round of renewals comes up.