ESPN is planning to bid for some of the rights to broadcast English Premier League games live, writes Simon Thiel. The league sent out invitations last month to tender for the rights for the three seasons from mid-2010 to 2013.
He quoted one unidentified source as saying the broadcaster is considering bids for one or two of the six packages on offer for UK broadcasts, challenging current holders Sky and Setanta. Sky holds four of the current packages and Setanta two. Bids are due by Feb. 4.
“A potential bid by ESPN is in particular dangerous for Setanta,” said Omar Sheik, a media analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort in London. “Setanta’s soccer offering would become less attractive for viewers if they lose even one of their two packages.”