Setanta strikes sports deal with British TV group

IRISH broadcasting giant, Setanta, has concluded a groundbreaking deal in Britain and delivered another blow to Sky Sports.

The company’s pay-per-view network, Setanta Sports, has signed an agreement with British Telecom’s Vision service with subscribers set for a sporting bonanza.

Combined with BT’s existing FA Premiership rights, the deal means that BT Vision customers can watch three quarters of all next season’s Premiership matches in full.

Setanta Sports will show 46 live FA Premier League games, 60 live Scottish Premier League games, live Nationwide Conference games and other European football leagues along with PGA golf and many other sports.

BT already has rights to 242 “near live” FA Premiership matches meaning BT Vision Sport customers will be able to watch 288 Premiership matches in full — 75% of the season’s 380 games. BT Vision customers will also have the choice between tuning into the 46 live broadcasts or using the broadband-powered on-demand TV to select their own viewing schedule.

BT and Setanta are set to explore further opportunities for collaboration in the future.

The service will operate using a conditional access smart card connected to BT Vision’s set-top box. Customers will be able to subscribe to BT Vision Sport for live programming and BT’s “near live” content will also be available on pay-per-view only should customers prefer.

Dan Marks, BT Television chief executive, said: “We’ve said that BT Vision will be offering the best in all-round entertainment and this includes the very best of sport. This partnership with Setanta means we will provide customers with unparalleled coverage of both live and on-demand sport and we’re looking forward to exploring more opportunities together”.

Mark Mohan, Group Commercial Director, Setanta Sports, said: “Setanta is pleased to be able to offer our premium sports content to BT Vision customers, ensuring that they have access to live Premiership football, SPL, US PGA Tour Golf, Conference football, top European football and much more. This deal cements our position as a leading broadcaster of top-flight sports programming.”