Things are not looking good for Irish sports broadcaster, Setanta, after it emerged the company are in debt to the Premier League, by £30 million, meaning inevitably they are now trying to escape the desperate clutches of administration.
As well as it’s debt to the English PL, Setanta have also failed to pay the Scottish Premier League £3 million in television rights money. It has a vital part to play North of the Border, although there can be no doubt it is the English Premier League – and it’s 1.2 million subscribers - that is at the heart of the company’s business model.
Setanta also shows cricket, golf and rugby union, but it is the football which is it’s main appetiser. French, German, Scottish, Dutch…they are all on the menu; although it is the English dish which is the favourite. What a shame then, that of the 46 games it is entitled to show, the majority of them are the more ‘weaker’ games. You’ll never see Manchester United v Liverpool on Setanta.
No. The big games of course go to Sky – they have ‘Super Sunday’ and all that jazz. Setanta can not compete – it’s David vs Goliath isn’t it really.
A Chairman of a top SPL team told the BBC that if Setanta were to go in administration, it would be “absolutely horrific” for the future of the game in Scotland. He said it would have a massive impact on the whole financial structure of football and restrict the clubs’ ability to bring in quality players.
Another SPL club told BBC Scotland that income from Setanta alone accounts for 33% of their income; another club said 20%. It’s feared the loss of cash could even result in pushing at least three clubs into administration.
Setanta of course deny administration is the next move, though don’t bet against it. It would be sad if it happened, if only for the SPL. For the subscribers – well going by some of the comments I’ve read, not too many people would actually be bothered. It appears Setanta do not pride themselves on customer service or quality of service….
Mmmm…not a great day at the office for the Irish broadcaster was it??
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