Irish viewers will have to play a waiting game

THE half billion euro Premiership rights deal completed by Setanta Sports last week does not mean a football windfall for Irish viewers.

The satellite broadcaster reiterated yesterday that the deal relates only to customers in Britain and Northern Ireland.

However, they are set to enter into negotiations shortly for rights to show Saturday afternoon games here.

Currently, RTÉ and Setanta Sports have rights to show Premiership matches on alternate weekends.

Said Setanta Sports Ireland chief executive Niall Cogley: “For the Republic of Ireland, the Setanta Sports Ireland package holder is going to have to wait for another couple of weeks to see what they will get with regards the Premiership.

“The tender process is underway for this seventh package. This was not released in the UK and is the 3pm package that RTÉ and Setanta alternate every second Saturday. The rights are going to be offered in a few days.”

Mr Cogley expects RTÉ to join Setanta at the negotiation table and did not rule out BSkyB from bidding.

Last Friday Setanta, were awarded Package C and Package D by the FA Premier League after a protracted bidding war with BSkyB, ITV and NTL.

These packages, which cost €575m, represent a total of 46 games. Package C consists of a minimum of 12 matches at 8pm on Mondays, the rest either will be broadcast at 1.30pm on Sunday or 5.15pm on Saturday.

Package D consists of a minimum of 18 matches at 5.15pm on Saturdays and the rest either at 1.30pm on Sunday or 8pm on Monday.

The rights run for three seasons, commencing in August 2007.