Setanta Sports News

[Baddar]

So, good news for those of us with Virgin Media and not Sky.

It launches tomorrow on channel 518, but does anyone have any idea what time it starts?

[Summers]

I am excited for this channel, muchos.

[Lineker]

I'm assuming it's only available to Setanta subscribers?

[Adam]

I would think so, since you have to pay for Setanta seperate on Sky, I dont see why it'd be different on Virgin.

[Iain76er]

According to wikipedia its free if you have the XL package. I'm presuming we don't, so no good to me.

[Baddar]

According to wikipedia its free if you have the XL package. I'm presuming we don't, so no good to me.

Well have you got the other Setanta channels? If so, you'll have it.

[Lord Nibbler]

Setanta Sports and Virgin Media have announced that their joint-venture sports news channel will launch on November 29.

The 24-hour channel, which will be produced by ITN, will be available on Virgin cable in the basic TV pack and free-to-air on digital satellite.

"This channel represents a new age for sports fans in this country," said Virgin Media CEO of content Malcolm Wall. "We're confident the energy will provide a fresh approach to sports news in the UK and by putting fans at the very heart of the channel, we think it will give us an edge with viewers."

Virgin Media has prioritised the launch of a sports news service since Sky Sports News was withdrawn from its digital cable service earlier this year as part of a wider carriage dispute with Sky.

Setanta Sports News will offer sports headlines every 20 minutes interspersed with debate segments and reports from "fan correspondents".

Geoff Hill, the channel's editor in chief, explained: "We want Setanta Sports News to be fun and engaging for the nation's sports fans. Viewers will get the sports news that matters delivered in a thorough, concise and accurate way, but this channel will be much more than a rolling sports news service - we want the added value of passionate input from fans. We aim to be alongside them at every major sporting event in the UK."

Setanta Sports News will appear on Virgin channel 518. An EPG position on digital satellite has yet to be confirmed.

[Dan]

After they took Sky Sports News from us, this is wonderful news.

Edited November 29, 2007 by Dan

[JimbobJoylove]

Fans correspondants? Urgh, it's be Lovejoy-era Soccer-AM all over again...

[Baddar]

I think it's silly that they're making it available to Sky, considering they wanted 400000000000000 for Virgin to keep Sky Sports News.

First impressions of Setanta Sports News though...

- White text on the grey background at the top is ugly. They'll probably change that quite soon

- The only other problem I see is goals. They'll be able to report all on the games, but they won't be able to show most EPL, CL, Uefa Cup, Championship goals.

...Presenter looks quite nice though.

[ONO]

I think it's ugly.

[Baddar]

I think it's ugly.

It will get better, and the layout has slowly grown on me throughout the day.

Although, I must have seen the Harry Redknapp press conference about 50 times now :thumbsdown:

[Lord Nibbler]

It is a bit crowded, but then so is Sky Sports News.

[Dan]

I like it.

It's very ITN which was expected.

[Lineker]

Heh, doesn't seem to work on Sky.

Ah well. Can't beat the original.

[ONO]

Works alright on my Sky.

[YI]

Needs more women.

Only time I've watched it, it's been 2 men on.

Edited December 6, 2007 by YI

[Baddar]

Needs more women.

It does, but there's nothing wrong with that one female reporter. Natalie something or other

[Baddar]

Pointless making a new thread, so I'll just put it here.

For those of you who didn't see it, here's Jose on Setanta...

[Colly]

All seems a bit pointless really, you can get a Freeview box for under £20 now, free Sky Sports News!