Setanta Sports Announces Exclusive LIVE Online Broadcasting Rights for 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup

Setanta Sports Announces Exclusive LIVE Online Broadcasting Rights for 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup

Online 'Tournament Ticket' Available For Pre-Order Starting Today

NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the growing excitement for this year's highly-anticipated IRB Rugby World Cup, Setanta Sports North America today announced it will be the exclusive LIVE online broadcaster of the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup, the third-largest sporting event in the world, which will be accessible to rugby fans via Setanta's innovative broadband service.

France will play host to this sixth Rugby World Cup tournament which kicks off in just a matter of weeks, and starting today, rugby fans not wanting to miss a minute of the live action can pre-order Setanta's broadband all-access "Tournament Ticket" for just $119.99 at www.setanta.com. Setanta's broadband service will exclusively carry LIVE online coverage of all 48 matches from the event, including original in-country commentating, pre and post-match analysis as well as half time programming. Player interviews, classic footage and other behind-the-scenes extras are also part of the special "Tournament Ticket" package. Additional match options are also available.

Rugby is already the fastest-growing sport in North America, and Rugby Magazine estimates that nearly 250,000 people in North America play rugby today. With this momentum afoot in the sport, Setanta expects record-breaking demand for its exclusive online broadcast of the event, where fans across North America are guaranteed LIVE coverage of all their favorite teams and matches, exclusively through Setanta's broadband service.

-- Coverage begins when host nation France takes on Argentina at the Stade
de France on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, in Group D. This group, also known
as the group of death, includes the popular outside favorite Ireland,
who kicks-off against Namibia on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007.
-- Inspired by rejuvenated 2003 World Cup hero Johnny Wilkinson, England
defends the Webb Ellis Cup against the United States in Lens on Sept.
10, 2007.
-- New Zealand's 2007 team, considered to be the greatest international
rugby side of all time, will perform its world-famous "Haka" war dance
before the opening Pool C match against Italy on Sept, 8, 2007.
-- Also on that day, former double world champion Australia will play its
first match against Japan.
-- Canada begins its World Cup campaign against Wales on Sunday, Sept. 9,
2007, with former World Cup champions South Africa playing their
opening game on the same day.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer rugby fans across North America the only LIVE online presentation of the entire Rugby World Cup, from the first kick to the presentation of the coveted Webb Ellis Cup," said Roger Hall, Chief Executive of Setanta Sports, North America. "Rugby enthusiasts can now watch the matches of their choice at their convenience with Setanta Broadband, the most robust online destination for rugby that complements our televised broadcasting schedule of the event. No other sports network offers this type of flexibility and unprecedented depth of coverage for sports fans wanting to follow the action in the means most convenient for them."

The rugby community is also eagerly anticipating the sport's premier event. Commenting on the growing popularity of rugby in North America, Nigel Melville, CEO of USA Rugby, said, "Participation in and viewership of rugby has been growing at an accelerating rate in the U.S. in recent years, and we expect the Rugby World Cup, already the sport's iconic global event, to further energize interest both abroad and here in North America. The commitment to supporting rugby by organizations such as Setanta Sports is an excellent foundation upon which to further grow awareness and interest in this exciting global sport."

Annual subscribers to Setanta's broadband service have unfettered access to all of Setanta's rugby programming, including the RWC, RBS Six Nations rugby, Guinness Premiership, Heineken European Cup and much more, for just $149.99 per year. In addition to broadcasting the RWC live online, Setanta Sports will air delayed televised matches, previews and highlights of the tournament. All programming will be available via satellite, CCTV, Residential PPV and IPTV. Language rights include English, Japanese, Italian and Spanish commentary. In addition, fans in Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Republic of Ireland will also be able to tune in to the World Cup on a non- exclusive basis.

About Setanta Sports North America

Setanta Sports North America operates the only dedicated International sports and rugby channel in North America. In 2006, the 24-hour, digital pay TV network aired more than 1,000 live events, including European and International soccer, world-class rugby and other sports programming designed to meet the growing demands of international sports fans living in North America. Setanta Sports North America is owned by Dublin-based Setanta Sports worldwide, a leading, international pay television broadcaster and the number two sports broadcaster in the United Kingdom, providing top sports leagues and events to more than 100 million digital television homes globally and to commercial venues in six countries. In North America, Setanta Sports is currently available to subscribers via broadband at www.setanta.com and on DirecTV and GlobeCast World, as well in commercial settings such as sports bars and pubs nationwide.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Setanta Sports

CONTACT: Jessy Adams for Setanta Sports, +1-212-850-5684,
jessy.adams@fd.com

Web site:

http://www.setanta.com/

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