Home » Commentary » Editorial

Setanta Looks For Survival Formula

by admincms — Tue, 2009-05-05 18:33 — Last Updated: Sun, 2009-05-31 19:30

(See updated links and info in comments.)
Reports in the press in the United Kingdom have been detailing the struggle by Setanta to find additional financing to meet payments due for rights fees for various sports, primarily soccer.  Given the current economic environment and the substantial debt and obligations facing Setanta it is by no means clear they will survive though prospects are improving.  (See reports in the Times Online, Sportsbusiness.com, and the Independent).  The crisis has been triggered by the recent awarding of rights for Premier League coverage in the UK for the next few seasons.  Setanta lost out in the bidding on much of its existing coverage and now faces only having 23 matches per year in the future.  This significantly reduces its value to subscribers in the UK watching it to see soccer.

Australian football coverage in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland is not in immediate danger.  However, should Setanta fail to make the progress payments and subsequently go into receivership it would leave the AFL coverage with an uncertain future.  Our analysis suggests that at least in the US, the coverage has been either modestly profitable or at least not a significant loss.  The recent reduction in coverage from 3 live matches per week down to 2 probably reduces costs somewhat but at a loss in loyalty by footy fans and a break in the promise of more complete coverage made early on.  Whether Setanta will want to renew its AFL contract after the season is not clear either.  There is a follow-on effect, too, as both MHz Networks and America One depend on Setanta to get their match feed and without that available it is unlikely they would continue.  Thus resulting in a complete loss of coverage in all the countries served by Setanta.

AFANA will continue to monitor the situation and report on any developments.

admincms's picture

Update: Setanta Looks For Survival Formula

Submitted by admincms on Sun, 2009-05-31 19:19.

It appears Setanta will survive this month but it might well change ownership at some point this year.  The long term survival remains uncertain. The two largest venture capital investors have written off their investments according one article below which would mean  the company is now worth closer to $100 million than the $1 billion they were (reported but unconfirmed) asking bidders (which by some accounts included ESPN) for just 18 months ago.  ESPN's reported offer was much less and not accepted. 

Here are some recent (and updated) links regarding Setanta's situation with the more relevant and recent ones first:

(Related article on impact to UFC rights):
http://www.ifight365.com/2009/05/ufcs-uk-future-again-in-doubt-as-setantas-future-remains-unclear/

(Related WSJ article on financial issues in EPL):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124346762522860417.html

http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/908498/Troubled-broadcaster-Setanta-calls-Frank-PR-despite-shelving-consumer-pitch/

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/wounded-setanta-has-to-muster-up-magic-in-battle-for-survival-1738355.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8036680.stm

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/channel/Television/article/908655/Brand-Health-Check-Setanta/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/5281486/Fears-grow-for-Setantas-future.html

-Rob
AFANA Chairman Emeritus and Site Admin

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Syndicate content