Irish pay-TV station Setanta has confirmed that Angus Scott will front its Premiership football coverage next season, with expert analysis coming from former Liverpool and England star Steve McManaman.
Scott, previously at ITV Sport, will be at the helm for Setanta’s live Premiership games from August. McManaman, who made 274 appearances for Liverpool, will sit alongside Scott for every Premier League game screened live on Setanta Sports, which is hoping to break Sky’s stranglehold on pay-TV sport in the UK.
Setanta Sports, which paid £392 million for the rights to exclusively screen 46 Premier League games for three years, will share coverage of the league with Sky Sports, which will show 92 games next season.
The Setanta director of sport, Trevor East, said: “These are two major signings for Setanta Sports – and the first of a number of major signings we’ll be announcing in the coming months as we prepare for next season. Angus is a terrific transfer from ITV.
“In Steve McManaman we have a big name who has enjoyed a glittering career at the very top level. His intelligent insight and opinions will ensure our viewers get the best analysis available.”
Scott was formerly the presenter of ITV’s The Goal Rush between 2001 and 2003. McManaman’s career included winning the European Cup with Real Madrid.
They will front the broadcaster’s Saturday night 5.15pm and Monday night 8pm kick offs. Setanta say that football fans would miss up to 40 per cent of the Premiership’s top matches if they do not sign up for its coverage next season.
The Irish-owned broadcaster teamed up with ITV to pen a £425m deal in March with the Football Association to share the TV rights for the FA Cup and England’s home international matches for four years, beating incumbents The BBC and Sky.
Setanta Sports launched its Freeview package for £10.99 in March this year.
Setanta’s Premiership coverage will be available on Freeview at a “special introductory” price of £10.99 a month, compared with a £15 monthly fee for subscribers to Setanta Sports on satellite TV.