Advanced Television

Setanta, Virgin launch sports news channel

November 30, 2007

From Colin Mann in London

Premium sports broadcaster Setanta Sports has launched its first free-to-air channel with the unveiling of Setanta Sports News, jointly owned with Virgin Media. The 24/7 channel will be available on Virgin's UK cable platform and digital satellite via the Sky EPG. It will feature all newsworthy sports items, not just those for which Setanta has footage or coverage rights.

Leonard Ryan, joint Chief Executive, Setanta Sports, said he felt the channel would encourage sports fans to subscribe to the broadcaster's Setanta Sports package. Virgin Media cable subscribers will now have access to a sports news service after Sky Sports News was withdrawn from cable systems earlier this year as part of a dispute between the satellite broadcaster and Virgin.

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