Date set for sports channel launch

Ireland’s first dedicated television sports channel will begin broadcasting later this summer, cable company ntl revealed today.

Setanta Sports will televise live coverage of the English Premiership and Scottish Premier League to some 340,000 ntl customers as part of a basic package.

Setanta will also have exclusive live rights to rugby’s Celtic League, and more sports content will be added ahead of the launch in August.

Niall Cogley, chief executive Setanta Sports, described the move as a significant step in state broadcasting.

“In a relatively short-time Setanta has acquired the rights to top-class sports programming, which has a direct relevance and appeal to a wide audience in Ireland,” he said.

“Setanta has built up a significant broadcasting business over the last 14 years and looks forward to building on that with the launch of Setanta Sports.”

Setanta Sports will be the fifth national and the first indigenous channel to enter the Irish marketplace since TV3 began in September 1998.

Mark Mohan, sales and marketing director of ntl Ireland, said it was a landmark day for the broadcasting industry in the country.

“We are certain that Setanta Sports will be essential viewing for Irish sporting fans.

“Today’s announcement enables our customers to benefit from even more choice, confirming our commitment to deliver the best value from Ireland’s local and trusted multichannel television operator.”

The company said Setanta Sports will begin broadcasting on a weekend basis in August in time for the new sporting season.

From January next year broadcast hours will be extended to include weekday programmes.