Eir Sport

Eir Sport
Owned by Eir
Formerly called Setanta Sports 2007-2016
Website www.eirsport.ie

Eir Sport (stylised as eir Sport; formerly Setanta Sports) is a group of Irish television sports channels operated by Eircom Sport Limited, a subsidiary of Eir.[1] In December 2015, Eir purchased original Setanta Sports operations in the Republic of Ireland,[2] which the company rebranded as Eir Sport on July 5, 2016.[3]

History

Setanta Sports logo used from 2007 to 2016.

In July 2009, the ownership structure of Setanta Sports Channel Ireland Limited (previously Setanta Sports Ireland Ltd) changed. Setanta Sports Channel Ireland Limited was co-owned by Gaiety Investments (60% share) with the remaining 40% share made up by Danu Partners Limited. The main shareholders in Danu are Michael O'Rourke, Leonard Ryan, and Mark O'Meara. Danu purchased 100% of the shares in Setanta Sports North America Limited which was disposed of in early 2010. Setanta Sports Channel Ireland Limited is licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

The Setanta business in Ireland has managed to survive despite the difficulties with Setanta GB. Colin Morgan, formerly CEO of Quinn Direct Insurance, joined the Setanta Ireland business in October 2010.

In 2015 it was announced that Eir were in the process of buying Setanta's remaining Irish Operations Setanta Ireland and Setanta Sports 1, the deal also includes the sale of the Setanta Sports Pack which includes BT Sport.[4] On 5 July 2016, Setanta Sports was renamed Eir Sport.

Channels

In addition to the television channels above, Eir Sport also distributes the following BT Sport channels in the Republic of Ireland: BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, BT Sport 3, BT Sport ESPN and BoxNation

Sports coverage

The Eir Sport pack offers commercial venues in several countries around the world programming of sports such as football, Gaelic football, hurling, golf, cricket, Australian rules football, boxing, NHL ice hockey and rugby union and league.

In May 2018, it was announced that Eir Sport would broadcast all 152 games in the Pro14 from the 2018-19 season after agreeing a three-year deal.[5]

Availability

Eir Sport services are available for free through the Eir Sport package on Eir Broadband. Eir Sport services are also available through Sky Ireland, Eir TV and Vodafone TV. From August 1, 2016, Virgin Media Ireland no longer has eir Sport (and BT Sport) available to customers.

High definition

Setanta Sports launched Ireland's first high-definition channel. The channel was announced in September 2010,[6] and later launched as Setanta HD February 2011,[7] exclusively on UPC Ireland. The Dublin v Armagh Gaelic football encounter on 5 February 2011 was Ireland's first broadcast of Gaelic Games in high definition.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Setanta Ireland rebranded as eir Sport". 5 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Eir acquires Setanta Sports including BT Sport's Irish rights - Independent.ie".
  3. ↑ "Eir rebrands Setanta channels as part of new offer". 5 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Eir agrees deal to purchase Setanta Sports Ireland". 7 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Eir Sport to broadcast every PRO14 game over the next three years". Irish Independent. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Setanta becomes first Irish channel to go HD Archived 15 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. TechTV101 Ireland, 17 September 2010
  7. ↑ GAA goes HD for the very first time on Setanta Archived 5 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine. GAA.ie, 31 January 2011
  8. ↑ .Setanta to broadcast GAA matches in HD Business and Leadership, 1 February 2011

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