LONDON (AP)—ESPN failed in its attempt to gain British television rights to English Premier League matches, with the final two packages awarded Friday to BSkyB and Setanta.
BSkyB won bidding to four packages earlier in the week. In all, the EPL said Friday it will receive 1.782 billion pounds ($2.58 billion) from British television rights from the 2010-11 through 2012-13 seasons, a slight increase from the 1.76 billion pounds ($2.55 billion) from its current three-year British deals. The contracts cover 138 games per season.
ESPN, which had hoped to expand its European programming, said in a statement it was “disappointed in the outcome.”
“But we were pleased to be at the table,” said the network, owned by The Walt Disney Co.
Foreign rights are sold separately. U.S. rights currently are shared by Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta.
FSC, like BSkyB, is controlled by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
“We are very pleased and relieved at the outcome. These are not necessarily the best economic times we could do this,” Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said. “This gives the clubs medium-term stability. The clubs can plan knowing this is the lion’s share of their income.”
Sky will have rights to 115 games per season, including 38 first-choice matches. Setanta will get the remaining 23 matches each season.
Setanta retains late Saturday afternoon games but Sky takes over Monday night matches. Sky will retain the prime slot of games kicking off at 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Under European Commission rules, no single broadcaster can hold more than five of the six packages.
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