Tiscali secures Premier League contract with Setanta

by Jan Harris

ISP Tiscali has entered into a partnership with Irish broadcaster Setanta, to add Premier League football coverage to its television service.

The service will supplement Tiscali’s Sky Sports package, which is already available via the “Sky by Wire” service.

The deal is a coup for Setanta and follows its success in securing the rights to two sets of Premier League matches last summer, breaking Sky’s monopoly on broadcasting live Premier League football.

The tie-up with Tiscali will help Setanta recoup some of the 392 million that it paid for the rights.

The agreement is also a major success for Tiscali, as football coverage is regarded as a key area in gaining and retaining broadband customers.

Tiscali rival BT Vision already has an agreement with Setanta, offering 46 live games via Setanta and 242 “near-live” games for a minimum of £17.99 a month, while Virgin Media customers have access to free Setanta Sports when they subscribe to the company’s £20.50 XL package and fixed-line phone service.

Tiscali has also announced plans for a potential flotation of its UK business within the next three years.

No information on pricing for the new service has been revealed.

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