Virgin Media Eyeing Sports News Channel Launch

Speculation is mounting that Virgin Media and Setanta Sports are in discussions
regarding the launch of a 24 hour sports news channel to rival Sky Sports News.

The move follows the removal of Sky Sports News from the Virgin Media
platform after carriage negotiations for Sky’s basic channels between BSkyB and
Virgin broke down.

Virgin Media has said it wants to build Virgin Sports as a separate brand
and, with carriage of Sky’s sports offering no longer available, will need the
help of a subsidiary party to bolster its content.

Setanta Sports has bought the TV rights to 46 FA Premier League matches for
next season and has recently launched a golf channel.

Virgin also owns the online download rights to the next three seasons worth
of near-live FA Premier League matches.