SETANTA SPORTS TO SCREEN BDO INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX SERIES

Exclusive deal with BDO adds darts to Setanta’s growing sports portfolio

A new and exciting BDO ‘International Grand Prix’ series, comprising five established tournaments, is to be televised live on Setanta Sports from May to September 2008.

The five tournaments will feature LIVE coverage of the Last Eight in the Men’s Singles:

• THE WDO WELSH OPEN:
Pontin’s, Prestatyn - SUNDAY, MAY 18TH

• THE BDO INTERNATIONAL OPEN:
Pontin’s, Brean Sands- SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH

• THE BDO GOLD CUP:
Lakeside Country Club – SATURDAY, JULY 12TH

• THE BDO BRITISH CLASSIC:
Kettering Leisure Village – SATURDAY, JULY 26TH

• THE BDO BRITISH OPEN:
The Spa, Bridlington –SATURDAY, SEPT.20TH.

In each tournament, the final stages of the Men’s Singles from the
Quarter-Finals to the Final will be broadcast LIVE on Setanta Sports.

The Welsh Open will be shown on Setanta Sports from 7PM to 12.30AM, and the remaining four tournaments will each be screened from 6.30PM to Midnight.

Though each tournament will be ‘stand-alone’ they will be played under a generic ‘umbrella’ International Grand Prix title, with points being awarded from Quarter-Finals to Final.

Trevor East, Director of Sport at Setanta Sports, said: “As part of our commitment to a wide variety of sports, we are extremely happy to be working alongside the BDO to bring this series of top darts tournaments to our viewers. Darts is an exciting sport with great across-the-board appeal, and we look forward to a successful liaison with the BDO and its players.”

Olly Croft, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises, said: “This latest innovation for BDO televised darts, is a clear indication that in its 35th Anniversary Year the BDO continues to move forward and look after the future of our sport.

“We are delighted that BDO darts and its players will be screened by Setanta Sports, and the series of five live ‘International Grand Prix’ tournaments perfectly complements our two majors – the Lakeside World Professional and the Winmau World Masters - on BBC terrestrial TV.

“It gives the BDO a portfolio of seven televised tournaments with the real potential of providing opportunities for fresh, as well as established names, to become the darts stars and characters of today and tomorrow”.

The BDO International Grand Prix series marks a darts debut for Setanta Sports, which is a leading international pay-TV sports broadcaster operating nine channels in the UK, Ireland, North America and Australia.

Founded in 1992, its premium sports content is available to more than 50 million digital homes worldwide. Setanta operates more sports channels than any other broadcaster in the UK and Ireland, and is the most widely-available premium sports channel in the UK: on satellite, via Freeview, Virgin Media, Tiscali, BT Vision and by Broadband, ensuring the widest possible distribution to all sports fans.

Setanta Sports is the only broadcaster of premium sports on digital terrestrial (Freeview). The Setanta Sports 1 channel, featuring the best of Setanta’s premium live content, is available on Freeview boxes and digital TVs with viewing card slots.

Setanta Sports is also available online, live and on demand, via Setanta by Broadband, featuring all Setanta’s leading content offered on Setanta Sports 1, Setanta Sports 2 and Setanta Golf, allowing sports fans to access at home, work or elsewhere.

For information on how to subscribe, go to: setanta.com or call 08712 10 20 30. Virgin Media, BT Vision and Tiscali customers should contact their operator.