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ESPN buys rights to Setanta games | ESPN buys rights to Setanta games |
(40 minutes later) | |
ESPN has bought the rights to show 46 games in next season's English Premier League that were to have been shown by struggling broadcaster Setanta. | ESPN has bought the rights to show 46 games in next season's English Premier League that were to have been shown by struggling broadcaster Setanta. |
Disney-owned ESPN has won the two packages of games shown on Saturday teatimes and Monday evenings. Both will be sold to customers through BSkyB. | Disney-owned ESPN has won the two packages of games shown on Saturday teatimes and Monday evenings. Both will be sold to customers through BSkyB. |
It has also won the 23 games per season Setanta was due to show from 2010-13. | It has also won the 23 games per season Setanta was due to show from 2010-13. |
The league took the broadcasting rights back from Setanta on Friday after it missed a payment deadline. | The league took the broadcasting rights back from Setanta on Friday after it missed a payment deadline. |
Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) has taken back its UK rights for 2009/10 "and beyond" from Setanta after the Irish broadcaster missed a £3m payment. | Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) has taken back its UK rights for 2009/10 "and beyond" from Setanta after the Irish broadcaster missed a £3m payment. |
The SPL said it was now "actively engaging in the process of selling our domestic broadcasting rights". | The SPL said it was now "actively engaging in the process of selling our domestic broadcasting rights". |
'British commitment' | 'British commitment' |
ESPN said in a statement it had "reached an agreement for its coverage to be retailed by Sky to residential and commercial customers", who will pay extra to view the games. | |
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU ESPN's matches will be available on BSkyB You will pay an extra amount for the ESPN matchesGames likely to be on a new branded ESPN channel - separate from the existing ESPN Classic and ESPN America ESPN wants it on platforms other than BSkyB and is in talks with Virgin Media, though BT is yet to comment | |
ESPN also hopes to make coverage available on other platforms. A spokesman for Virgin Media confirmed it was in talks with ESPN about a possible deal. BT had no comment. | |
It is the first time that ESPN will broadcast live Premier League football in the UK. | It is the first time that ESPN will broadcast live Premier League football in the UK. |
The broadcaster already has two channels in the UK, one covering American sports and another showing archived action. | The broadcaster already has two channels in the UK, one covering American sports and another showing archived action. |
"This move demonstrates our commitment to British sports fans and our ongoing commitment to delivering football to fans around the world across a variety of media," said Russell Wolff, managing director of ESPN International. | "This move demonstrates our commitment to British sports fans and our ongoing commitment to delivering football to fans around the world across a variety of media," said Russell Wolff, managing director of ESPN International. |
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said that ESPN had a "formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports". | Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said that ESPN had a "formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports". |
I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them," he added. | I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them," he added. |
"I would like to thank ESPN, as well as all the other broadcasters who submitted bids, for their professionalism and effort in engaging in our sales process at such short notice." | "I would like to thank ESPN, as well as all the other broadcasters who submitted bids, for their professionalism and effort in engaging in our sales process at such short notice." |
Other rights | Other rights |
BSkyB had been expected to buy the package of Monday night games, which it has already won from 2010/11 onwards. It will show 92 games next season and then 115 in each of the following three years. | BSkyB had been expected to buy the package of Monday night games, which it has already won from 2010/11 onwards. It will show 92 games next season and then 115 in each of the following three years. |
Attention could now turn to the other broadcasting rights that Setanta owns. | Attention could now turn to the other broadcasting rights that Setanta owns. |
It has contracts with the FA for England and FA Cup matches, and with the Blue Square Premier, the top division of English non-league football. | It has contracts with the FA for England and FA Cup matches, and with the Blue Square Premier, the top division of English non-league football. |
It also owns rights to the PGA golf tour, as well as cricket and rugby union deals. | It also owns rights to the PGA golf tour, as well as cricket and rugby union deals. |
It is running at an estimated loss of £100m a year, after missing subscriber targets. | It is running at an estimated loss of £100m a year, after missing subscriber targets. |
The broadcaster has 1.2 million subscribers, 700,000 short of the 1.9 million that industry experts believe they need to break even. | The broadcaster has 1.2 million subscribers, 700,000 short of the 1.9 million that industry experts believe they need to break even. |
Deloitte has been lined up as administrator should, as is widely expected, Setanta fail. | Deloitte has been lined up as administrator should, as is widely expected, Setanta fail. |