Setanta ceases broadcasting

Setanta Sports has announced on its website that it is no longer trading in Great Britain. The channel ceased broadcasting on 23 June. Setanta is to cease accepting any form of payment from subscribers living in Great Britain with immediate effect.
The sports broadcaster failed to make a £30m payment to the Premier League after a rescue package with Access Industries -who hold a 3% stake in Setanta and control Top Up TV—fell through. This resulted in Setanta losing its rights to 46 Premier League matches in the 2009-10 season.

ESPN acquired Setanta’s Premier League rights after they were retendered and has now entered a retail agreement with Sky to broadcast matches on a new premium channel. Setanta will continue to operate in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.