Setanta signs with ITVN

[BGonaSTICK]

Dublin-headquartered Setanta Sports has tied with California-based broadband TV company Interactive Television Networks (ITVN) to make its programming available via the latter's set-top boxes.

Setanta, which launched its sports channels in the US last year, will supply its array of live European soccer and worldwide rugby coverage, including the Euro 2008 qualifying matches and the UEFA Cup, to ITVN subscribers.

ITVN will also draw on Setanta's coverage of the French and Dutch national soccer leagues, programming from Manchester United TV, Chelsea TV, plus the rugby Six Nations, Tri-Nations and Super 14.

The US company is targeting particular audiences with channels delivered to its own broadband-connected set-top boxes using internet protocol television (IPTV) instead of traditional transmission technologies.

"With the growing interest in soccer in the US, Setanta Sports is confident its European-style, on-air presentation and programming line-up will appeal to these new soccer fans, from all walks of life," said Setanta Sports North America chief executive Simon Green.

The company joins an ITVN line-up that already includes the likes of Worldwide Local News, male-oriented MavTV, video-on-demand service Music Vault, adult channel XTV Network, Fitness Network, movie offering Silver Screen Network and LacrosseTV.

Last month, ITVN announced it was opening up its first European office, in Luxembourg, using this as a launch-pad to break into the UK and Germany some time in September.