Setanta wins two Premier League packages

Irish pay-TV operator Setanta has been successful in its bid to break Sky's monopoly on live Premiership coverage, securing two of three remaining live TV rights packages of 23 games per year for four seasons starting in 2007.

The Premier League announced at a press conference held after the close of business at the London Stock Exchange that Setanta's bid of £392m for 46 games per year was successful. Sky secured a fourth package in addition to the three it won last week, with the broadcaster paying £1.31bn for a total of 92 games per year.

"This is an important day in the development of Setanta Sports and another milestone for us," said Setanta Sport's director of sport Trevor East. "Following on from last week's announcement of greater coverage of the Scottish Premier League, we are delighted to be able to add the FA Premier League to our channel offering. We are committed to providing a first-class sports service to our customers and the FAPL is a jewel in any broadcaster's crown. It will ensure that Setanta Sports is a must-have sports channel for all football fans."

In an agreement reached with the European Commission, Sky was allowed to bid for all six packages but would only have been allowed to win a maximum of five.

"This is good news for fans, football and Sky," said Sky Sports managing director Vic Wakeling. "Sky is the home of football. We will offer first picks, the best matches and biggest head-to-heads. There will be more live Premiership matches on Sky Sports than ever: 92 games per season, up from 88 games today. Viewers can look forward to years of innovative coverage of live Premiership football, all broadcast in HD. Fans will also have new ways of watching using broadband and mobile."