SPORTS BROADCASTER Setanta Ireland plans to be the first Irish channel to broadcast in high definition (HD) when it launches a service next January.
The HD channel will initially be available to customers on UPC’s cable television platform with a service for satellite subscribers to be launched later.
Setanta will be hoping to lure subscribers by being the only Irish broadcaster to have all 48 games at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in high definition. The cable and satellite broadcaster has also sold the terrestrial rights to the World Cup games to State broadcaster RTÉ, which outbid TV3 for the rights. TV3 had the terrestrial rights for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
Setanta will also provide HD coverage of the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.
In addition to international sports, Setanta will broadcast domestic action in HD for the first time. This will include the 2011 Allianz National League GAA football and hurling as well as domestic soccer, including the Setanta Sports Cup.
Setanta Ireland chairman Dermod Dwyer told The Irish Times recently it expected to post a €500,000-plus profit this year, which he expected to double next year. Setanta employs 120 staff in Dublin. It was rescued last year when its British arm went bust following the loss of rights to show Scottish and English football. MLM Management, an Irish holding company, secured its business in Ireland, Australia and North America.
MLM has 250,000 premium subscribers in Ireland, Canada and Australia and owns 40 per cent of Setanta Ireland. Its other shareholder is concert promoter Denis Desmond.
