From the BBC comes an article on Sentanta, who owns the broadcast rights for the English Premier League: Last-ditch effort to save Setanta
Setanta executives are locked in an emergency board meeting to discuss a rescue package in attempt to stave off administration, the BBC has learned. The sports broadcaster could face administration “within days” unless backers provide more funds, earlier reports suggested. The company needs to pay the £30m it owes to the English Premier League.
Administration in England is the same as bankruptcy here. Media Week has weighed in on the issue with their story Setanta rescue talks ‘progressing’
Setanta, the troubled pay-TV sports broadcaster, is optimistic that it can secure a last-ditch funding deal to save it from administration, as it grapples with an estimated £100m funding black hole.
According the the article, Setanta has about 1.2 million UK direct subscribers, but needs 1.9 million to break even. Setanta has also disabled its telephony and online subscription services, preventing new customers from signing up.
What do you think, will ESPN or Fox Soccer Channel step in to sweep up the rights to the top world league programming?
really hoping ESPN picks up the rights…as long as someone picks up the rights i’ll be happy. i’m spoiled having almost every game on tv every weekend..i’d go nuts if that changed
Listened to World Soccer Daily, they think ESPN knew about this and was waiting to make a cheaper bid for it after Setanta falls… and they will. The TV money not going to some teams will hurt them considering they already expected that cash when they mad their transfers over summer.
Fox Soccer cannot afford it after making getting the Chapions League, could be wrong though. Hope ESPN gets it so its in HD!!!