Setanta goes into administration

by Parm Mann on 23 June 2009, 16:16

Tags: Setanta

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Setanta has today confirmed that it has gone into administration and that some 200 British employees are to be made redundant.

The future of the Irish broadcaster has been in doubt since it failed to secure a BSkyB rescue deal, and administrator Deloitte has today confirmed that Setanta will soon put a halt to its UK broadcasts and adds that it will no longer collect subscription fees.

Setanta had recently failed to make payments to sporting bodies, resulting in the English Premier League stripping the broadcaster of its rights to 46 Premier League games.

Those rights were today snatched up US broadcaster ESPN, and the Disney-owned sports network is believed to be in talks with BSkyB to launch a new channel on the satellite service in preparation for the next Premier League season.

Setanta chairman Sir Robin Miller had this to say:

"This is a sad day for all concerned. Unfortunately, in a difficult and highly competitive market, and despite strenuous efforts by the board and management, it has not been possible to find sufficient additional funds in the time available to ensure its survival."

HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

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Posted by Blitzen - Tue 23 Jun 2009 16:58
This statement made me chuckle:

Setanta chairman Sir Robin Miller had this to say:

"This is a sad day for all concerned.

Setanta had the shoddiest customer service around and there terms and conditions were as transparent as mud.

Bring back the days of Premiership Plus. Buy the season ticket and get good service.
Posted by kopite - Tue 23 Jun 2009 17:54
For once Blitzen you`ve said something I agree with :D

I had setanta for most of last season and hardly watched any matches. Their commentary team where better than ITV`s but then I could do a better job that the muppets on there.

Premier Plus was well priced at 40/60 quid for the season or a per game price(think it was 8 quid) You also knew that they would have a match each week which Setanta wouldnt have next year.

Will be interesting to see what ESPN are planning on doing with the rights. will it be a pay for channel or will they just put it on a normal channel and make up the cost with advertising?
Posted by Splash - Tue 23 Jun 2009 19:24
I splooged on Setanta for the SPL coverage, but it was hit and miss, and certainly not worth the £15 a month they were charging - I think they'd have had more luck selling cheaper packages with fewer channels, but that's obviously just my opinion…

…cancelling the package was an absolute nightmare though - you could never get through to them on the blower, and you couldn't cancel online. In the end I ended up cancelling my direct debit and waiting for them to contact me, then I just paid the outstanding month on my credit card. I missed the footage but could always catch the matches down at the pub - will be interesting to see who picks up the SPL coverage now - it'd be great for me if Sky did since I'm already paying for Sky Sports (and curently considering dropping sports, but that most certainly *would* make it worth me keeping).

Anyhoo as others have said - good riddance to bad rubbish - let's hope a decent broadcaster fills the void.
Posted by format - Tue 23 Jun 2009 19:27
Splash
I splooged on Setanta for the SPL coverage, but it was hit and miss, and certainly not worth the £15 a month they were charging - I think they'd have had more luck selling cheaper packages with fewer channels, but that's obviously just my opinion…

…cancelling the package was an absolute nightmare though - you could never get through to them on the blower, and you couldn't cancel online. In the end I ended up cancelling my direct debit and waiting for them to contact me, then I just paid the outstanding month on my credit card. I missed the footage but could always catch the matches down at the pub - will be interesting to see who picks up the SPL coverage now - it'd be great for me if Sky did since I'm already paying for Sky Sports (and curently considering dropping sports, but that most certainly *would* make it worth me keeping).

Anyhoo as others have said - good riddance to bad rubbish - let's hope a decent broadcaster fills the void.

What did you think of Scott Booth as a commentator :crazy:
Posted by SuicidaL - Tue 23 Jun 2009 20:10
well not to fussed, i had setanta free on cable with my package and the the only thing i watched was the aussie nrl games - hope that sky (as much as it pains me to say) go back in for them.

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