ESPN strikes EPL deal with Freeview

ESPN is to use a channel that was previously occupied by Setanta to air English Premier League games on Freeview’s pay-TV service.

ESPN will have the opportunity to sign up subscribers from Freeview’s 9.9 million homes, which would make its EPL investment worthwhile.

Last week, ESPN America paid £250 million for its first live EPL TV rights in the UK, which allows it to air 46 games for the 2009/2010 season and 23 games in each of the three following seasons.

The sports broadcaster has also secured deals with Sky and BT Vision, which will see ESPN America available on these platforms.

ESPN is expected to launch a new EPL channel in time for the upcoming football season, which may be made available to viewers on Freeview and BT Vision in place of ESPN America.

An ESPN spokesperson said: “We have come to this interim solution with Sky, Top Up TV and BT Vision to make sure US sports fans and existing subscribers to ESPN America can continue to watch the channel while we make permanent arrangements.”

In addition, Sky Media has been confirmed as the sales house for ESPN’s new EPL channel. The multimillion-pound deal will see Sky handle ad sales around every EPL game aired live on UK television.