In a repeat of the UK rights deal, Sky and BT are to share the seven packages of live rights to the Premier League in the Republic of Ireland between 2013/14 and 2015/16.
The seven packages totalling 154 matches have been split on identical lines to the UK award that saw BT declare its entry into the sports market. BSkyB has secured packages B, C, D, E and F, totalling 116 matches; BT has secured packages A and G, totalling 38 matches.
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “These rights mean that Sky Sports remains the home of the Barclays Premier League in Ireland. With more live matches than ever before, our Irish viewers can enjoy an unrivalled choice of the biggest and best games across Saturday evenings, Sunday afternoons and Monday nights.
Sky’s matches mean that it will continue with its double-header of Sunday afternoon matches at 1.30pm and 4pm, the Monday Night Football programme at 8.00pm, and will introduce a new 5.30pm kick-off in the slot held by ESPN for the last four seasons.
Marc Watson, chief executive of TV for BT, said: “We are delighted that we’ll be able to offer viewers in the Republic of Ireland the same fantastic live games from the Barclays English Premier League that we’ll be offering in the UK. We’ve secured 38 live matches and 18 of them are the ‘first pick’ top-quality matches.”
BT this week announced it was acquiring the UK interests of ESPN as the Disney-owned channel withdraws from Europe.
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