RTÉ to broadcast live Premiership games

RTÉ will feature live coverage of Premier League soccer matches next season.

Up to 15 matches will be shown as the result of a deal reached by the FA Premier League, RTÉ and Setanta Sport.

The deal will last three years and see games screened live in Ireland on Saturday afternoons, starting in season 2004-5.

In addition, Setanta Sport has secured a deal making a further 15 pay-per-view matches available on Saturdays when RTÉ is not broadcasting a live game.

FA Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of the competitive tendering process for our rights in Ireland.”

“The FA Premier League will now enter into a period of exclusive negotiation to conclude agreements with the successful bidders.

“We are pleased that the bids for these packages have reflected, once again, the quality and success of our league. ”