ESPN America continues UK broadcasts

ESPN America will continue to broadcast as a service distinct from the new ESPN UK channel launched today.

From today, ESPN America has moved from channel 417 to channel 430 on Sky's EPG. It has also moved out of the news and events pack, meaning that Sky customers will only be able receive the channel bundled with ESPN and ESPN HD for £9 a month if they are a Sky Sports subscriber or £12 if they are not.

The channel will also continue to be available on Virgin Media, although it has shifted from channel 533 to channel 531 on Virgin's EPG. ESPN America will be free to all customers on the XL package along with ESPN and ESPN HD. Subscribers on the L or M package will get all three channels for £8 per month if they already receive Sky Sports or £10 if they do not.

BT Vision customers can also access ESPN America at channel 34 on the EPG and it will be without charge for all ex-Setanta subscribers.

It was previously announced that all ESPN America programming would be included on the new ESPN channel, which launched today to show the 46 Premier League and 30 Scottish Premier League matches, along with other top European sports.

This had led to some worried posts on Digital Spy's Broadcasting forum as to the possibility that US sports coverage would be edged out in favour of UK and European sports.

However, the news that ESPN America will continue to broadcast as a standalone channel has led to widespread relief on the forums, with member GeoffNI saying: "I don't think ESPN were ever trying to erase US Sports; they just had no sports rights to make a full time channel a week ago.

"With acquiring a number of European leagues along with the AFL and French Rugby now they have enough programming for a full time channel. So ESPN America is going nowhere. And I don't believe that's down to complaints but more so that they can justify having the 2 channels now."

Despite this, US sports fans on the forums are now asking ESPN to soon start running the channel in high definition to complement the arrival of ESPN HD.