ESPN will be sold as an "a la carte" channel on Sky, Digital Spy has learned.

No details on pricing are available at present, but it is understood that Sky will retail ESPN in the same way that it offers MUTV on a standalone basis to subscribers and that pricing will be announced shortly. ESPN has also done a deal with Sky for its new channel - which will show 46 Premier League games in the 2009-10 season in high definition - to be made available to commercial premises. 23 games in each of the following three seasons have also been acquired by the Disney-owned sports channel.

It is understood that Sky views ESPN as a well respected and well funded organisation. The pay TV broadcaster also welcomed the new-found stability in the Premier League TV rights situation for the seasons ahead.