Chorus ntl to carry ESPN HD in Ireland

Chorus ntl has agreed a carriage deal to make ESPN's new standard and high definition channel available for viewers in Ireland.

From today, Chorus ntl subscribers are able to watch sports in SD and HD on the recently launched channel; including the 46 Premier League and 30 Scottish Premier League games previously owned by Setanta, along with coverage from the German Bundasliga, Portuguese Liga, Dutch Eredvisie, Russian League and the remainder of the US MLS season.

Any customers already subscribing to Sky Sports or Setanta are able to receive ESPN and also ESPN America for €10 (£8.60) per month, whereas new customers will have to pay €15 (£12.90) for the channels. ESPN HD will only be available to customers on the new Chrous ntl HD service, with ESPN Classic included for subscribers on the Max package.

Chorus ntl head of TV Simon Kelehan said: "We are delighted to offer ESPN to our Irish customer base and ESPN HD is a core element of our new HD service. Irish viewers have always had a keen interest in English premiership football and we're delighted that ESPN brings a range of new Live sports to Irish viewers."

ESPN EMEA managing director Lynne Frank added: "We are delighted to team with Chorus ntl to offer their customers ESPN's exciting range of Premier League football, Clydesdale Bank Premier League and the best in international and US sports in SD and HD.

"ESPN will be complemented by ESPN America and ESPN Classic, thereby serving a diverse group of sports fans. ESPN is set to be must-have for fans in Ireland."