Setanta Undercuts Sky With Sports Package

Setanta has revealed its subscription rate for its live sports package including
FA Premier League football – a £10.99 monthly cost that undercuts rival BSkyB.

Freeview customers, the pay-TV platform that carries the Setanta network,
will be to subscribe to Setanta for a special introductory offer of £10.99 a
month allowing them to watch a number of exclusive live sports events including
46 Barclays Premiership matches, the US PGA Tour and the Bank of Scotland
Premier League.

The Irish broadcaster said the sports channel will launch on Freeview on
March 1 as the only premium sports channel on the free-to-air platform.

Setanta won two out of the six FA Premier League rights packages for the next
contract period which begins in August – the move marking the first time the top
flight has aired live on any broadcaster other than Sky since it first won the
rights in 1992.

Setanta will broadcast 46 Monday night and Saturday evening games, which are
not available on Sky, although it will also charge a £10 once-only connection
charge. However, the broadcaster said there will be no minimum contract period.

Sky’s premium package, which enables subscribers to watch live Premier League
matches, costs around £40 a month.