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Setanta Sports - your rights

Our Broadband Expert says...

Dear Jonathan, it does look likely that the Irish sports broadcaster will go into administration soon. Although Setanta is still taking new subscriptions, and is still broadcasting, BT Broadband's (www.BT.com) digital TV service BT Vision has stopped sales of the channel for the second time in two weeks - in a bid to protect customers if the company goes under.

With the loss of its Premier League football matches, finding funding for the broadcaster could prove difficult if Setanta does go into administration, and many of the company’s 1.2 million customers will be worried if they have paid in advance for their subscriptions.

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Virgin Media

As a Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) customer, you shouldn’t be too worried as the cable provider has said that it is planning on replacing Setanta with an alternative service.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “We’re currently in talks with EPSN about their purchase of the Premier League content previously owned by Setanta. At this time our customers will still be able to enjoy sports content on Setanta channels, however if this situation changes we will be letting our customers know.”

BT Vision

While BT Vision has stopped selling new Setanta subscriptions, the channels continue to broadcast for the time being. A statement on BT’s website states: “ESPN has bought the rights to the 46 Barclays Premier League matches in the 2009-10 Season that were to have been previously shown by Setanta Sports.

“BT Vision have entered into discussions with the new rights holders with a view to bringing these matches to our customers for the coming season. In addition ESPN has also won the rights for the 23 games per season that Setanta were due to show for seasons 2010/11 to 2012/13.

“All BT Vision customers should retain their current Setanta Sports viewing card. More information will follow as it becomes available.”

Sky and Freeview customers

If you subscribe to Setanta as an add-on with your Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) TV service, or via Freeview, or via the online service Setanta-i then you will be paying Setanta direct for your subscription and may have to apply to the administrator for a refund of any advance payments if the company does go under.

However, as Setanta is still accepting new subscriptions and broadcasting, you shouldn’t take any action yet.

A changing situation

The situation with Setanta has changed dramatically in the past few weeks, and could do so again if the administrators are called in, though Setanta would probably still be broadcasting for a few months after that.

Setanta still has some FA Cup matches as well as England World Cup away qualifiers and its other sports coverage including rugby, cricket and golf.

However, many people will have signed up to Setanta for its 46 Premier League matches. If your supplier won’t be replacing these with the ESPN matches, then you should contact them to see if you can renegotiate your contract.

NB Best buy tables are always current.

Examples in the text of the article are correct at time of publication.

Setanta Sports entered administration on 23 June 2009, and is no longer broadcasting in the UK. American broadcaster ESPN has won the rights to air 46 live Premier League games next season, however the future of the rest of Setanta's content is still undecided. We'll update our guides when there is more information available.

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