Setanta takes BT Sport to Ireland

Setanta Sports has signed a deal with BT to add the latter’s new sports channels to its viewing pack in the Republic of Ireland. 

From August 1, Setanta subscribers in Ireland will be able to access all three BT sports networks – BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN, which it acquired earlier this year.

These will sit alongside Setanta’s existing portfolio of sport, which includes 33 Live Barclays Premier League games at 3pm on Saturdays, Champions League and Europa League football, live Allianz League Gaelic football, Formula 1 racing, and NHL ice hockey.

BT unveiled its new sport offering in May and has bought up a range of content rights for its channels, which will be available in the UK free of charge to BT broadband customers and be accessible via the Sky and Freesat platforms to non-BT broadband customers for £12 (€14) per month in standard definition and £15 in HD.

BT’s sports rights include 38 Barclays Premier League football games, 25 FA Cup games, 30 Scottish Premier League games, coverage of Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1 and 69 Aviva Premiership Rugby games.

“This content is a real game changer for Setanta. It’s not just going from 33 to 71 Premier League games that is exciting, it is the massive step-up in the quality of games that will really make the difference for our customers,” said Setanta Sports’ Marketing Operations Director, Brian Quinn.

Marc Watson, CEO of TV for BT added: “We are delighted that Setanta Sports will be distributing BT Sport in the Republic of Ireland.  Ireland is a very important market for us and we are confident that Setanta can do a great job establishing the BT Sport brand with Irish sports fans.