SETANTA SPORTS’ renaissance since its near-death experience last year continued on Wednesday with the launch of a high definition (HD) channel at the National Convention Centre.
This involves an investment of about €1 million, I’m told, in collaboration with UPC, the cable TV provider who will carry the HD channel.
It also means that Setanta will be the first Irish TV station to broadcast in HD.
Setanta will also be launching an iPhone app and a service that will allow Irish fans to watch their Premier League team’s goals on mobiles or blackberrys within minutes of them being scored.
Setanta Goals is supported by technology provided by Irish listed group Zamano.
Speaking at the launch, founder Michael O’Rourke acknowledged that Setanta Bet, an offshoot of the broadcaster, probably wouldn’t have given odds 15 months ago on the sports channel “still being here today”.
“Not only did we avoid relegation but we’re actually doing very well now,” O’Rourke added.
This year it will “make a healthy profit” and the success of its businesses in Canada and Australia will see it boost its staff numbers by 25 to 150. “That, I think, is great,” he said.
So it is, although the Football Association in England probably does not see it that way.
On the same day that O’Rourke was unveiling Setanta’s new initiatives, the FA was publishing its 2009 accounts. These show the collapse of Setanta’s business in Britain blew a £60 million hole in its revenues relating to a contract to broadcast the FA Cup and England games.
