Setanta Golf

Setanta Golf was a British subscription television channel dedicated to golf and operated within the Setanta Sports network. It launched on 11 January 2007 on the Sky Digital platform, where it initially occupied channel 429. The service was created to extend Setanta's sports-broadcasting portfolio with a specialist channel focused on golf rather than a broad multi-sport schedule. Its principal programming asset was coverage of the United States-based PGA Tour. The schedule began with tournaments staged in Hawaii and subsequently carried most regular-season PGA Tour events, while the major championships remained subject to separate rights arrangements held by BBC Sport and Sky. Setanta Golf also showed events from the Champions Tour, the professional circuit for older golfers. The channel supplemented live tournament coverage with imported golf-entertainment and instructional programming, including The Big Break, Highway 18 and Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, all associated with golf television production in the United States. Setanta Golf expanded its distribution during 2007. In July, it became available on Virgin Media channel 543, where access was included for customers on the XL package and offered as a premium option on other packages. In September, it was added to Tiscali TV on channel 557. The channel was also distributed in the Republic of Ireland through UPC Ireland and Sky Ireland. This carriage strategy gave Setanta Golf a presence across the principal British and Irish pay-television platforms, although the available package and pricing differed by provider. The channel's schedule also contained substantial advertising-led material, including promotional features for sports products associated with JJB Sports, licensed Slazenger merchandise and Nike products. These segments reflected the commercial model of a specialist sports channel, combining rights-based programming with sponsor or retailer-oriented content. Setanta Golf did not survive the financial crisis affecting Setanta's UK broadcasting operation. Setanta's financial difficulties led to the broadcaster entering administration in the United Kingdom, and Setanta Golf closed on 23 June 2009 together with the other Setanta networks. It is therefore a defunct television-channel brand whose brief operating period is principally associated with PGA Tour coverage, golf programming and the expansion and subsequent collapse of Setanta Sports' British and Irish pay-TV business.

Setanta Golf was established as a specialist golf channel within Setanta Sports and began broadcasting on 11 January 2007. Its initial distribution was through Sky Digital, where it launched on channel 429. The channel's creation reflected Setanta's broader strategy of building a portfolio of dedicated sports services alongside its principal sports-broadcasting operations. Golf rights formed the core of the service. Setanta Golf carried programming from the United States-based PGA Tour, beginning with the first tournaments of the season in Hawaii and continuing with most regular-season events. The major championships were excluded from this package because their UK broadcasting rights were held by BBC Sport and Sky. The channel also presented Champions Tour coverage, extending its schedule beyond the main PGA Tour circuit. In addition to live and recorded tournament coverage, Setanta Golf acquired or transmitted a range of golf-related programmes. These included The Big Break, Highway 18 and Shell's Wonderful World of Golf. The schedule also contained advertising features and promotional material, including content connected with JJB Sports and licensed Slazenger and Nike products. During 2007 the channel broadened its platform reach. Virgin Media added it in July on channel 543. Access was included for XL package customers and available as a premium service on certain other Virgin Media packages. In September, the channel joined Tiscali TV on channel 557. It was also available in the Republic of Ireland through UPC Ireland and Sky Ireland, giving the service distribution across the main British and Irish pay-TV markets. Setanta Golf's existence was short-lived. Setanta Sports encountered serious financial difficulties in 2009 and subsequently entered administration in the United Kingdom. As part of the collapse of Setanta's UK network operations, Setanta Golf closed on 23 June 2009. The channel is consequently remembered as a short-duration golf broadcaster whose identity was closely tied to PGA Tour rights and Setanta's failed expansion in British and Irish subscription television.

• 2009

  Channel closure

  [1]Setanta Golfen.wikipedia.org

  Setanta Golf closed on 23 June as Setanta's UK networks were shut down following the broadcaster's financial collapse and administration.

• 2007

  Launch on Sky Digital

  [1]Setanta Golfen.wikipedia.org

  Setanta Golf began broadcasting on 11 January 2007 on Sky Digital channel 429.

• 2007

  Virgin Media distribution

  [1]Setanta Golfen.wikipedia.org

  Virgin Media added the channel on channel 543 in July, with package-based access arrangements.

• 2007

  Tiscali TV distribution

  [1]Setanta Golfen.wikipedia.org

  Setanta Golf became available on Tiscali TV channel 557 in September.

A specialist pay-television sports channel focused on professional golf, particularly PGA Tour coverage, within the wider Setanta Sports network.

• Sports television channel · 2007

  Setanta Golf television channel

  The brand's principal and apparently only consumer-facing offering was a dedicated pay-television channel for golf. Its schedule centered on PGA Tour tournaments and also included Champions Tour events, golf entertainment series and archival or feature programming. It was distributed through Sky Digital, Virgin Media, Tiscali TV, UPC Ireland and Sky Ireland before closing in 2009.

• 2009

  Closure following Setanta's administrationOther

  Background

  Setanta Sports experienced financial difficulties and entered administration in the United Kingdom.

  Action taken

  Setanta Golf ceased broadcasting on 23 June 2009 along with the other Setanta networks.

  Aftermath

  The channel became defunct and no longer operated as a golf broadcaster.

  Source

• 2007

  Launch of a dedicated Setanta golf channelProduct launch

  Background

  Setanta Sports developed a specialist channel to present golf programming and professional tournament coverage within its wider sports television portfolio.

  Action taken

  Setanta Golf launched on Sky Digital on 11 January 2007 and subsequently expanded to additional British and Irish television platforms.

  Aftermath

  The channel gained distribution across major pay-TV platforms during 2007 but closed in June 2009 when Setanta's UK broadcasting operation collapsed.

  Source

1. 1Setanta Golfen.wikipedia.org