Deathwatch: Missed payment another nail in Setanta’s coffin?

By Andy Dawson

The end seems nigh for Setanta after the ailing sports broadcaster defaulted on a £3 million payment that was due to the Scottish Premier League at the beginning of this month. Both the SPL and Setanta themselves are refusing to comment on the situation but the pay-per-view broadcaster could well be about to buckle under the weight of their financial obligations, after a search for fresh investment failed to garner significant results.

Setanta, who lest we forget are the current holders of Bitterwallet’s Worst Company In Britain award, got into trouble earlier in the year when they failed to retain their 46-game Premier League package beyond the end of next season. From 2010-11, they’ll have just 23 top-flight matches, and are customers really going to continue to shell out the current £12.99 monthly subscription for that?

The company are believed to be spilling subscribers left right and centre as the footy-less close season arrives and the recession makes their customers think hard about whether they’re getting value for money from Setanta. Their notoriously crappy customer service certainly hasn’t done them any favours over the years, and they’re currently offering potential cancellers a three month deal at just £3.33 a month.

Fresh investment into a company that is looking more and more toxic by the day seems unlikely, and it could be a slow and painful death for Setanta over the coming months.

Tags: football, pay per view, premier league, scottish premier league, setanta
Posted in News, deathwatch June 2nd, 2009 | 11 Comments

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 11:33 am and is filed under News, deathwatch. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 Responses to “Deathwatch: Missed payment another nail in Setanta’s coffin?”

Posted by Jeffrey | June 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Sucks to be Des Lynam
Posted by abc | June 2nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm

I was told its all over for Setanta
Posted by Ga W | June 2nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm

I cant see them Surviving much longer, They really needed to keep the same amount of games as they have in previous seasons after all its the EPL Games that gets most of the people to subcribe to it.

I would expect them to be gone in 6 Months, as they will lose a hugh amount of customers now the footy season is over and when those people try to cancel the terrible customer service will also be exposed to more people tarring the companies name futher if my experience was anything to go by.
Posted by chrisg. | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Only question now is who gets their EPL package?
Posted by ronnie | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm

EPL! who cares! i can’t wait for them to fold. get everything they deserve.
Posted by MinstrelMan | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm

still…… lasted longer than ITV digital
Posted by Jimmy | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm

I think it’s a joke that people are looking and happy for them to fold.More jobs lost.Hooray!

Some people would need to wise up.
Posted by Nobby | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Excellent. Not only will Setanta finally fold, but they remove money (even if it is pocket change £3m) from the Scottish game.
Posted by Jeffrey | June 2nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm

Woo

At least customers wont get screwed having to subscribe to two different providers now just to watch the premiership matches…
Posted by Pizza_D_Action | June 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Because Sky will not be able to buy up Setanta’s games package, hopefully one of the terrestrial channels can sneak in and buy the package up.
Posted by ronnie | June 2nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm

goodbye shiteanta and good riddance