ESPN wins rights to 46 Premier League matches

Disney owned sports network ESPN has won the rights to show 46 live Premier League football matches next season, in a deal thought to be worth £90 million.

The two packages, which Irish broadcaster Setanta lost after missing a payment deadline last Friday (see Broadcasters to bid for Setanta football rights), are for Saturday teatime and Monday evening games.

ESPN has also secured the rights to show 23 games per season from 2010-2013, another package Setanta was due to broadcast.

The sports network has signed a distribution deal with BSkyB which will allow viewers to watch the matches on the satellite platform for an extra fee, although it stressed that it is also seeking deals to show the matches on other platforms such as cable.

It had been thought that BSkyB would buy the package of 23 Monday evening matches, which it already owns the rights to broadcast from 2010-2011.

Lynne Frank, ESPN managing director Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are clearly delighted that our bid for exclusive media rights to the Barclays Premier League matches in the UK has been successful.

“This is a huge step for our business, and we look forward to working with the Premier League, football clubs and distributors to bring UK sports fans all the excitement they expect in Premier League football.”

Richard Scudamore, Premier League chief executive, said: “The Premier League is extremely pleased to have added ESPN as a UK rights holder. They have a formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them.”

Setanta lost the rights after failing to secure a funding deal with American businessman Leonard Blavatnik’s Access Industries last week. Accountancy firm Deloitte is ready to act as administrator if the troubled firm goes under.