Setanta’s TV rights put out to tender

THE holding company which runs the Premier League in England has put the English transmission rights for Premiership football matches still controlled by Setanta out to tender.

However, the move is understood to be a precautionary action taken in case the Dublin and London- based broadcaster goes out of business. It is also believed the rights will be returned to Setanta once the rescue package currently being hammered out copper fastens its long-term future.

The rights are for the upcoming 2009/10 season, the last year in whichSetanta will have the rights to screen 46 live top division games in Britain. The following three years, covering the 2010/11-2012/13 seasons, will see Setanta cover only half that number of live matches, after losing out to Sky in the last tender round, earlier this year.