Broadband News

Virgin Media cements Setanta partnership

(30-07-07) - Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) launched a new sports portal for fans today, in a deal with Setanta Sports (www.Setanta.com).

From today, fans will be able to watch highlights from all Barclays Premier League, Coca-Cola Championship, League 1 and League 2 matches - free of charge - up to seven days after they’re first aired.

Virgin Media will also be launching Setanta Sports News - a free channel offering breaking news, comment and sports analysis that will be available exclusively to Virgin Media customers.

Chris Eagle, BroadbandChoices.co.uk commercial manager, added: “For the first time in 13 years, Sky (www.Sky.com) has lost its exclusive right to the Premiership and the football war has begun. Digital TV providers know that fans will want to get the most sporting action, in the best quality picture, for the lowest price.

“Virgin Media and Setanta Sports have already teamed up to offer the sporting package to Virgin Media’s XL TV customers and now they have announced a new free channel and website to boost viewers.

“However, customers should still compare the various packages out there - such as BT Vision’s (www.BTVision.bt.com) very competitive £4 a month sports package, which costs £12 a month when combined with Setanta Sports - or customers can watch matches on a pay-per-view basis. For the traditionalists, who support the bigger clubs and want the pick of the best Premiership matches,” he added, “there’s still Sky Sports.”

For the first time, cable customers signed to Virgin Media can access all Premiership matches by subscribing to Sky Sports via Virgin Media and Setanta Sports - a monthly cost of £34 a month. This same combination would cost an extra £9.99 a month on Sky itself, though customers with High Definition TVs would be able to watch the matches in a far superior quality.