ITN to produce Setanta Sports News

ITN has been appointed producer of Setanta Sports News, the new channel being launched later this year by Setanta Sports and Virgin Media.

The channel will see the creation of 56 new editorial and production positions at ITN’s London studios. A number of video journalists, based around the UK, will also be appointed to cover sporting stories across the country.

Mark Wood, chief executive of ITN said: "ITN is excited to be involved in this new venture and will bring to bear its experience and skills as the producer of ITV News and Channel 4 News and as a multi-platform content provider. This new channel will set the sports news agenda in Britain with exclusive news, ground-breaking interviews and programmes which will be must-see television for sports fans everywhere."

The channel says the news focus will be on "key sports" such as football, rugby, horse racing, cricket, golf, boxing, and motor racing.

Michael O'Rourke, co-founder of Setanta Sports, said: "We are delighted to appoint ITN at such an exciting time in Setanta’s growth and are very confident that they will bring their expertise in producing rolling news to Setanta Sports News. This channel will sit well alongside our other range of sports channels and club TV channels and also delivers on a long held ambition to launch a sports news channel."