In conjunction with ITV, but it's another reason why a subs to Setanta will be a necessary purchase rather than a luxury!
FA cash in on Barwick's expertise
By David Bond
Last Updated: 12:59am BST 30/03/2007
Wembley Stadium open for business and a new television deal which far exceeded the targets he had set himself. If only the England team had turned in a couple of decent displays against Israel and Andorra, this would have been the best week in Brian Barwick's 2½-year tenure as the Football Association's chief executive.
As it is, his remarkable triumph in landing a 41 per cent increase in the value of the FA's media rights will be lost in the more pressing concerns over whether anyone will soon want to watch the England team play.
At least the £425 million windfall will give them a decent financial cushion should they decide they need to pay off Steve McClaren's £2.5 million contract earlier than expected.
For one day at least, Barwick will allow himself to bask in the glory of a job well done. Hiring managers may not be his forte, but the former ITV Head of Sport has at least delivered in one area where he should have an in-depth knowledge.
No doubt questions will be raised over the fact that his former bosses at ITV have been able to steal away the rights to FA Cup and England matches from long-term partners the BBC and Sky.
But that would not reflect the seriousness with which ITV chairman Michael Grade, who defected from the BBC last November, was treating the bid and the role played by the emerging Irish pay-TV broadcaster, Setanta.
Plus, with £450 million of debt to service on the new £800 million Wembley, the FA could not afford to do the BBC any favours.
Their joint bid with Sky is thought to have been £50 million below the offer from ITV and Setanta - around a year's interest payments.
Nevertheless, the decision is harsh on the BBC, who have played a major part in reviving the FA Cup this season. Peak audiences for each of the rounds have been between seven and eight million, overshadowing even the Champions League.
And despite England's shocking form, the national team continue to attract big ratings. Grade and Setanta know the long-term value of the deal they have put together.
With Sky reluctant to pay yet more money for football rights after agreeing to pay £1.3 billion over the next three years to the Premiership, the BBC were faced with a tough choice. Did they risk losing their only live football or face criticism for spending more of the licence fee on sports rights? In the end the BBC and Sky's offer fell way short.
But despite the figures involved, it cannot have been an easy decision for Barwick to dump the BBC.
The last time ITV made a major raid on domestic football was in 2000, when they bought the Premiership highlights package in a £183 million deal. But the rights were won back by the BBC in 2004.
For Setanta, however, the decision is another major triumph after they snatched a third of live Premiership matches from Sky last May in a £392 million deal.
The company, founded in 1990 by Michael O'Rourke and Leonard Ryan, are 40 per cent owned by venture capital company Benchmark Capital.
In December they announced plans for a £213 million financing deal with private equity house Doughty Hanson. Much of the money raised has been spent on acquiring rights and Setanta will now be under intense pressure to deliver subscribers.
For dedicated armchair supporters, yesterday's announcement by the FA will mean yet more expense.
A £15 monthly subscription to Setanta's nine sports channels will become essential for fans wanting to follow the Premiership, England and the FA Cup from next year.
FA cash in on Barwick's expertise
By David Bond
Last Updated: 12:59am BST 30/03/2007
Wembley Stadium open for business and a new television deal which far exceeded the targets he had set himself. If only the England team had turned in a couple of decent displays against Israel and Andorra, this would have been the best week in Brian Barwick's 2½-year tenure as the Football Association's chief executive.
As it is, his remarkable triumph in landing a 41 per cent increase in the value of the FA's media rights will be lost in the more pressing concerns over whether anyone will soon want to watch the England team play.
At least the £425 million windfall will give them a decent financial cushion should they decide they need to pay off Steve McClaren's £2.5 million contract earlier than expected.
For one day at least, Barwick will allow himself to bask in the glory of a job well done. Hiring managers may not be his forte, but the former ITV Head of Sport has at least delivered in one area where he should have an in-depth knowledge.
No doubt questions will be raised over the fact that his former bosses at ITV have been able to steal away the rights to FA Cup and England matches from long-term partners the BBC and Sky.
But that would not reflect the seriousness with which ITV chairman Michael Grade, who defected from the BBC last November, was treating the bid and the role played by the emerging Irish pay-TV broadcaster, Setanta.
Plus, with £450 million of debt to service on the new £800 million Wembley, the FA could not afford to do the BBC any favours.
Their joint bid with Sky is thought to have been £50 million below the offer from ITV and Setanta - around a year's interest payments.
Nevertheless, the decision is harsh on the BBC, who have played a major part in reviving the FA Cup this season. Peak audiences for each of the rounds have been between seven and eight million, overshadowing even the Champions League.
And despite England's shocking form, the national team continue to attract big ratings. Grade and Setanta know the long-term value of the deal they have put together.
With Sky reluctant to pay yet more money for football rights after agreeing to pay £1.3 billion over the next three years to the Premiership, the BBC were faced with a tough choice. Did they risk losing their only live football or face criticism for spending more of the licence fee on sports rights? In the end the BBC and Sky's offer fell way short.
But despite the figures involved, it cannot have been an easy decision for Barwick to dump the BBC.
The last time ITV made a major raid on domestic football was in 2000, when they bought the Premiership highlights package in a £183 million deal. But the rights were won back by the BBC in 2004.
For Setanta, however, the decision is another major triumph after they snatched a third of live Premiership matches from Sky last May in a £392 million deal.
The company, founded in 1990 by Michael O'Rourke and Leonard Ryan, are 40 per cent owned by venture capital company Benchmark Capital.
In December they announced plans for a £213 million financing deal with private equity house Doughty Hanson. Much of the money raised has been spent on acquiring rights and Setanta will now be under intense pressure to deliver subscribers.
For dedicated armchair supporters, yesterday's announcement by the FA will mean yet more expense.
A £15 monthly subscription to Setanta's nine sports channels will become essential for fans wanting to follow the Premiership, England and the FA Cup from next year.
Comment