Setanta challenges BSkyB for English football rights

摘要

BSkyB is set to face competition from Setanta Sports for another prized sports property when bids for rights to live television broadcasting of England's three Football League divisions are made next week. The satellite-television broadcaster has already lost out to Ireland-based Setanta on rights to the FA Cup, England internationals and some Premier League fixtures. The loss of more live English football - even though it involves Accrington Stanley and Leyton Orient rather than Arsenal and Liverpool - would represent another blow. The BBC, ITV and Five are not thought to be interested in live rights but are likely to compete for highlights packages. It is understood that cable operator Virgin Media will not bid for any live television rights, despite having invested millions in broadband highlight rights to both Premier League and Football League to establish a beachhead in the sports market against satellite broadcaster BSkyB.