The move of Setanta Sports 1 from a premium channel to near basic status has taken another step forward. Already bundled with Virgin Media’s big basic package and the BT Vision IPTV service, Setanta Sports 1 is now being offered free to new subscribers to Top Up TV’s DTT pay package for a 12-month period. Existing subscribers can claim a free three-month subscription.
Top Up TV is also extending its own sports coverage. From August 5 the Life and Times channel is being replaced by Sports Xtra.
Setanta has in the region of 1.1 million direct subscribers and a further two million through Virgin Media and Sky. The company is looking to have four million subscribers by May 2009 of which 1.5 million would be direct subscribers.
