Setanta swoop for broadcast rights to US Masters

SATELLITE television giant Setanta Sports has won exclusive Irish broadcast rights for the US Masters — with RTÉ last night confirming they did not bid for the highlights package.

The three-year deal, which begins in April, allows Setanta Ireland show all four days of the competition live from Augusta uninterrupted.

Niall Cogley, chief executive of Setanta Ireland said: “Setanta Sports will be the only Irish broadcaster showing live coverage of The Masters, and we are looking forward to the challenge of bringing top quality golf action from this premium event to our viewers.

“Taken together with our live coverage of the PGA Tour, The Open Championship, the Quinn Direct British Masters, the HSBC World Matchplay and the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, there can hardly be a better service for golf on TV.”

An RTÉ spokesperson last night explained their reason for not showing the US event, which has been a mainstay of their schedule for years.

The spokesperson said: “The past number of years has seen continued low audience figures for US Masters, and as the public service broadcaster, we need to ensure that all rights acquired on the public’s behalf represent the best value for money for the viewer. There will however, continue to be extensive coverage on RTÉ Radio and RTÉ News as Greg Allen will be in Augusta.”

RTÉ Television will broadcast four days of live coverage from the Irish Open and highlights of the AIB Irish Seniors Open in 2008.