Setanta Sports Australia & the World Cup

[ali]

I was just having a sniff our the Setanta Sports Australia website and noticed they recently became available to Foxtel digital subscribers. For those who don't know, this sports channel is a major player in the UK & Ireland. They televise the NRL throughout the UK as well as into North America. They have the rights to 46 English Premier league soccer matches in the UK, which cost them something like £1 Billion.

So they are no small time outfit. As fox appear no chance of showing the World Cup qualifiers, then maybe we could make a last minute appeal for Setanta to pick up these games.

setantaoz@setanta.com

I am going to ask them what their long term plans are for the Australian market, and suggest to them they make a bid for the 2008 World Cup games. I have been fighting in my mind as to whether this would be a good thing. Obviously we want as much exposure as possible, and Setanta probably wont be in that many homes or pubs by November 2008. But, less coverage on pay TV may mean more bums on seats, as we all know Aussie fans are notoriously lazy. And secondly, a bidding war with Fox Sports (assuming they are actually interested), would be a good thing for the profit, which at the end of the day is what I care most about from this world cup.

Anyway, in the short term we need to contact them about the qualifiers.

Setanta Australia
10/50 Stanley St.,
Darlinghurst,
NSW 2010,
Australia
Residential Tel: 1300 SETANTA (738 268) (8am-8pm)
Business Tel: 1300 796 377 (9am-5pm)
Fax: +61 2 9357 5211
Email: setantaoz@setanta.com
Web: Setanta Australia website

 

[ali]

Here is my slightly exaggerated letter to Setanta.

Hi,

I was just having a look around your website and noticed you have recently launched on Foxtel. I am currently in the UK and whilst over here I've noticed what a major player Setanta is in the sports pay TV industry, so the news that you are launching in Australia is great news to my ears.

So I am wondering what your plans are in the long term for the Australian market? Do you plan to become a serious player by bidding for the more popular sports?

As I am about to head home to Sydney, I am also interested in your short term plans. Over the next month in the UK, Sky Sports are broadcasting 5 qualifiers for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. As far as I know, Fox Sports Australia haven't taken up the rights to these. Maybe this is an opportunity for Setanta to make an early impression by showing some games from a sport very popular with Australians.

Secondly, I'm interested in finding out if you plan on bidding for the rights to show the non free to air games for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. As far as I know they are still available. Considering Fox Sports built it's empire in Australia on the back of gaining pay TV rights to the National Rugby League, this could be a fantastic opportunity for Setanta to gain some market share. In the history of subscription television in Australia, Rugby League has undoubtedly been the most successful sport.

Anyway, as you can see I'm interested in your plans. I've enjoyed watching Setanta sports whilst over here in the UK and North America, and I hope your Australian venture is a raging success.

Cheers,

AD

London, UK

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

good email

 

[Copa]

If setanta got the rights for the WC leftovers ... hadly anyone would get to see it.


surely a WC fits the SBS charter...

 

[hutch]

top email ali!

 

[International RL]

Yeah at this point I would rather see it on SBS or the ABC.

Though top stuff Ali

 

[Ari Gold]

I emailed Setanta as well. Still awaiting for a reply.

 

[ali]

I now think we must get them involved, at least so there is a chance of a bidding war.

I've moved this to the main forum for more exposure.

 

[larryjohnson2]

Foxtel satellite service only have now started broadcasting Setanta in australia, They have plans for bringing it to foxtel/austar cable end of 2007 /start of 2008 so if they had WC 2008 rights it would be great !!

 

[ali]

Foxtel satellite service only have now started broadcasting Setanta in australia, They have plans for bringing it to foxtel/austar cable end of 2007 /start of 2008 so if they had WC 2008 rights it would be great !!

Sounds good. I'm sure they are not going to all this trouble just to be a minor channel. I'm still awaiting a reply from them, but considering how big they are over here I'm quite optimistic.