Sky And Setanta Share Remaining Premiership Rights

BSkyB and Setanta have split the broadcast rights to the remaining Premiership football packages it was announced today, with the win pushing BSkyB’s total to four packages, while Setanta claims the remaining two.

The division of rights means Setanta with air a total of 46 games, while Sky will broadcast 92. The Satellite superpower is believed to have paid over £1.31 billion for the rights, while Setanta shelled out around £392 million.

Welcoming the win, Setanta’s director of sport, Trevor East, said: “We are delighted to be able to add the FA Premier League to our channel offering. We are committed to providing a first-class sports service to our customers and the FA Premier League is a jewel in any broadcaster’s crown.”

Vic Wakeling, managing director of Sky Sports, said in a statement to the City this afternoon: “This is good news for fans, football and Sky. Sky is the home of football. We will offer first picks, the best matches and biggest head-to-heads. There will be more live Premiership matches on Sky Sports than ever: 92 games per season, up from 88 games today.”

The TV boss went on to explain that the new rights would enable Sky to broadcast more sport in better quality, with high definition coverage, broadband access and mobile streaming high on its agenda.

“Viewers can look forward to years of innovative coverage of live Premiership football, all broadcast in HD. Fans will also have new ways of watching using broadband and mobile,” continued Wakeling.

Earlier today Sky announced that broadcasts in high definition would launch across its platform on 22 May (see HD Programmes To Air On Sky From 22nd May).

Setanta: 0207 930 8926 www.setanta.com Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com