Setanta Sports Put Out In Extra Time

Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports have finally gone into administration as their last minute attempts to save the sports channel fell short of the line.

After a late rescue bid from a Russian financer failed to come through, Setanta missed the second of three promised payments, leading to the Scottish and English Premiership pulling the transmission rights to their leagues.

Almost three million British households, which subscribe to broadcaster Setanta Sports, will had their service switched off yeterday after the company called in administrators, Deloitte.

However, only the UK arm of the channel will be closing, Setanta Ireland and other international broadcasting arms of the group continue to be profitable, and will continue to air as normal for the foreseeable future.

However, it is believed these will be sold off in the coming weeks.

The channels outstanding Premier League games have since been awarded to Disney ESPN, who will now be showing the upcoming games.

Neville Khan of Deloitte said: "After a huge effort by the Setanta board, management team and its backers, it has not been possible to save the GB business, which will be wound down in due course."

He went on to say the collapse would lead to the loss of about 200 jobs out of a total of 420.

Subscriptions in the UK will stop being collected immediately and subscribers should act to stop any bank payments, Deloitte said. The company has no money to make any refunds for ending subscriptions early, the administrator added.

(DW/BMcC)