Setanta's Sky EPG slots 'could be sold'

Administrator Deloitte has said that it is currently deciding whether to sell the slots made available on Sky's EPG following the closure of Setanta's bouquet of channels.

The firm is winding down the UK operation of Setanta Sport Holdings, which includes deciding what to do with the now vacant Sky EPG slots previously held by Setanta Sports 1 and 2.

Sky presently operates an EPG slot trading model, which enables interested parties to change position or launch new SD channels on the Sky programme guide. Under the scheme, broadcasters can barter for different slots on the EPG or sell their slots as tradable assets, which includes those previously owned by Setanta.

As far as Sky is concerned, the slots are part of an existing commercial contract between it and Setanta and therefore any decision on this now rests with Deloitte.

The administrator could either hand the slots back to Sky or sell them on to other parties in order to recoup some of Setanta's outstanding costs.

However, this situation may also be dependent on resolution of the sports broadcaster's unpaid carriage charges that are owed to Sky.

Deloitte said that it is currently reviewing all available options before making a decision on this issue.