Hello

I emailed Setanta and they said:

"We will have a channel launched in Canada by the start of the EPL season on Rogers and Bell Express. No announced date yet, but that is the best info I have right now."

When I asked about Videotron, they said no.

So I emailed Videotron and asked them, their response was:

Sir

Thank you for your interest in our digital service and for having taken the time to write us about channel Setanta Sports.

This station is not presently available and we have no information concerning its future availablility.

Videotron regularly adds new channels to its illico service. However, we cannot offer all the channels available for digital television.

The services and needs differ from one region to another and the channel additions requested must reflect the real interest of our customers.

We can added your name to our list of customers interested in this channel. A popularly requested channel could be added to the illico service.

Best regards

Lyne Gagné
Vidéotron administrative services
serviceclient@videotron.ca

So anybody with Videotron or friends with Videoton, get emailing them, even if your friends dont want the channel.

Does anybody know if setanta will be made available on cogeco right away? I hate how Cogeco always is the last to air new channels.

Here is the response I received yesterday from Cogeco:

Thank you for taking this time to contact us via email at Cogeco Cable.

Since the launch of our Digital service in many areas, we now have a larger channel capacity and are continually reviewing our channel line-ups. With every channel offered, we must take into consideration how this may affect the price of the package the channel is included in, technical aspects of offering the channel, and customer interest in the product.

We have forwarded your request to our Marketing department for review when the company is considering future options. We appreciate your feedback, as this will help us determine which channels we will offer in the future to our valued customers.

If you have any additional inquires please forward them through the Contact Us section on http://www.cogeco.ca or by calling 1-800-267-9000. Our Sales and Service Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for your convenience.


Thank you for choosing Cogeco,

Customer Care.
Kah/sca

They are always late in launching new channels so they 'll probably wait till Christmas before including it in their channel lineup like they did with GOL TV

This is what I got from Shaw:

Thank you for choosing Shaw Eservice. We apologize for the delay in response as a result of higher than normal email volumes and thank you for your patience.

Thank you for taking the time to email us your feedback. We certainly appreciate your interests in the programming covered by Setanta Sports, however at this time we do not have any definite launch information for this channel.



We do make every effort to offer programming which interests our customers. There are many different factors that contribute to the selection of programming including cost, subscriber demand, ratings and financial viability of the service being offered. Also of major consideration is the availability of channel space and whether there are similar channels in our line-up.



We continue to review our line-up on a regular basis, at which time, we evaluate our programming in meeting our customer needs and assessing the technology to add new services. We are always interested in new programming opportunities and appreciate your suggestion to consider The Setanta Sports Channel in the future.



Thank you for bringing your interests to our attention, please be assured we have noted your request.

We hope this information has been useful to you. Please feel free to contact us by phone 604-629-8888 or by email response. If you need further assistance you may also visit our website at http://www.shaw.ca/.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Jillian Rep #2699, E-Service Vancouver, Telephone: (604) 629-8888, Shaw Communications Inc.
ACCOUNTABLE BALANCE CUSTOMER FOCUSED INTEGRITY LOYALTY POSITIVE, CAN DO ATTITUDE TEAM PLAYER

Are they gonna charge 15 bucks per month to see the channel. If that is the case no wonder cable providers will be lukewarm to offer the channel.

Good point VanBasten. Yeah, from all reports I have heard, Setanta will be a premium channel and so will cost atleast $15 per month. It is a steep price but one I am willing to pay if it means I will be able to see every Man United game. Your point about providers not picking up the channel because of its expensive price is interesting, I never though of it like that before. I hope the price does not mean that it will not be offered on some providers.

Another point to remember, i know on the Illico set up for those subscribing to Videotron, places to add new networks are now limited.

So, they have to be sure it will be a good earner before they put it. Also Videotron producing their own channels will put their homegrown stuff before allowing channeks from other places.

ExpressVu have stated it will be in time for the EPL season, but if we all use the example of GOLTV Canada, we should get it by February!

I am not taking a chance and sticking with ITVN for one more season or at least until my contract runs out in September. After that I'll re-new on a month by month basis. If anyone is interested:
http://itvncash.com/hit.php?s=3&p=4&w=101096&t=0&c=

I work for Cogeco and may end up adding the channel but will probably start it in areas like Hamilton first. Towns like mine (sarnia) will probably never see it because the market is not big enough to make it worth while, even if it is available on digital.
Plus $15 is a big investment when i'm already paying $140 for my package.

I received this email today from Setanta. Similar info appeared in today's Globe and Mail:
We will be launching our residential channel on Bell Express and Rogers by
the start of the EPL season (Aug 11). I'd hold off on calling the call center,
though, because they probably won't have any info until we actually launch. Please keep an eye on the websites for any updates. The channel will be $14.99 CDN per month, and the free preview time period will vary depending on your carrier.

The channel will basically be the same as the channel that we currently have in the US, a mixture of both soccer and rugby. Please visit www.setanta.com for more details on our offerings.

This is the full article in the Globe today...which says it will be on Cogeco, although when I contacted them they didn't know anything about it yet.

A new soccer channel with extensive rights to live English Premier League games is set to begin operation in Canada in a matter of days.

Setanta Sports, an international content provider, will launch a Canadian channel in partnership with Rogers Communications.

Roger Hall, chief executive officer of Setanta's international operation, confirmed Monday that the channel will start in “the very short term.”

Shane O'Rourke, president of Setanta's North American operations, was even more explicit. He said it will be on the air in time for the start of the EPL season on Aug. 11.

“We'll be up and running by the 11th,” he said.

Neither Hall nor O'Rourke would comment on the licensing agreement, but based on Setanta's operations in Britain, Australia and the United States, the Canadian channel will operate as a premium pay service. To subscribe, consumers will pay about $15 a month.

Score Media acquired EPL rights last year. It then flipped the package to Setanta but kept the Sunday 11 a.m. (Eastern) game, which often showcases the best matchup of the week.

The Score has built additional programming around the Sunday morning telecast, including a Friday evening show that will preview the weekend games, a Saturday evening recap of the day's games, and a Sunday morning pregame show.

As well, the Score has retained broadband highlights rights and will stream its Sunday morning telecast.

The third carrier of EPL games will be Rogers Sportsnet. It has bought a Saturday 10 a.m. game from Setanta, but probably won't get first pick from the 10 a.m. slate of matchups.

It didn't hurt Sportsnet in its bid to acquire one game a week that it is owned by Setanta's partner, Rogers.

The bulk of EPL content – a full Saturday schedule, additional telecasts on Sunday and midweek telecasts – will air on Setanta.

O'Rourke says Setanta will provide the most comprehensive EPL Canadian package ever.

Rogers Cable, Cogeco Cable and Bell ExpressVu will carry the channel immediately. Carriage on Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Videotron is expected to take longer.

So if i understand correctly, the main EPL games will be shown on The Score. So, i would have to pay 15 $ by month to see some secondary games. Considerig how expensive my cable bill is right now, i think i'll pass.

Don't see the point of paying that kind of money monthly, unless it would be a deal like NHL Center Ice, where you have access to all the games.

If a carrier found a way of obtaining the rights and broadcast live mixed with some reruns of all the main championships games (EPL, Calcio, La Liga, Bundesliga, France, Brazil Champions League, UEFA cup, etc.) Then i would not mind paying a strong fee to get all this at once.

But the way it is set up, it's not worth it.

Van Basten wrote:

So if i understand correctly, the main EPL games will be shown on The Score. So, i would have to pay 15 $ by month to see some secondary games. Considerig how expensive my cable bill is right now, i think i'll pass. Don't see the point of paying that kind of money monthly, unless it would be a deal like NHL Center Ice, where you have access to all the games. If a carrier found a way of obtaining the rights and broadcast live mixed with some reruns of all the main championships games (EPL, Calcio, La Liga, Bundesliga, France, Brazil Champions League, UEFA cup, etc.) Then i would not mind paying a strong fee to get all this at once. But the way it is set up, it's not worth it.

Actually, The Score will only be showing one match, Sunday at 11:00 et/8:00 pt. What Setanta will give you is 2-3 matches on Saturdays, the early match on Sunday if there is one, and midweek matches. Plus, they also air Championship/League One/League Two matches (usually Friday's or Sunday), two Ligue 1 matches on Sundays, Champions League matches, Euro 2008 qualifiers, and UEFA Cup matches. All of this is usually repeated throught the week. It's well worth $15 a month if available to you.

Now the only thing I have yet to figure out is who will be showing the 3rd match on Saturday, 12:15 et/9:15 pt. Does anybody know?

Thanks for setting a few things straight

Have a follow-up question.

Aren't the Euro qualifyers offered on PPV or are they now available on the regular Setanta, it's kind of confusing with the different names.

Good for them if they are enough fans ready to shill out the extra money for it. Guess, i'm not much of a fan after all cause even with that still do not feel it's worth it.

For my part, i'm quite happy to watch Bundeliga games on saturday mornings

Setanta offers qualifiers via PPV to bars and cafes. They do broadcast qualifiers on the Setanta channel as well, and will replay qualifiers that were originally PPV the next few days after the match, sometimes even next day.

Hear the interview podcast from yesterday with the head of Setanta for Canada.

http://epltalk.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts

Bell are testing Setanta now on ch 420

First of all Cogeco was said to be getting Setanta from the start. Now I have not heard anything about Cogeco picking Setanta up. What is going on!!! Has anyone heard anything. Typical of Cogeco to mess everything up!

Just talked to the folkes at Express Vu - they say they'll have more info tomorrow...

This kills me! When I heard the Score was only broadcasting the one game... I freaked out and ordered ITVN. Bloody thing cost me $100 in shipping!!! Luckily I'm still within the 30 day guranteed return policy (I'll still be out the $100 though).

ANyone have any experience with returning their ITVN? I'm hoping it's a seamless process...

Yeah, I too am thinking about dumping ITVN once my year long contract is up in September. Does anybody know if I have to pay to deactivate or if I have to spend lots of cash on shipping the box back. ITVN met its purpose but now that setanta will be on cable tv, I will gladly move on.

I would hold on to itvn until Cogeco actually gets Setanta.

Once your 1 yr contract is fulfilled you own the box and don't have to ship it back...just call and cancel your subscription.

That is good advice srehal. Yeah that is what I will do. No point in dumping ITVN until Cogeco picks up Setanta. Also, it is very good to know that once the year long contract is up, that I don't have to ship back the box.

srehal wrote:

I would hold on to itvn until Cogeco actually gets Setanta. Once your 1 yr contract is fulfilled you own the box and don't have to ship it back...just call and cancel your subscription.

I agree, I won't be giving up my ITVN until Setanta shows up on Shaw.

GOOD NEWS! I have spoken with a Cogeco Rep and he has confirmed that Setanta will be up and running on Cogeco in early September, so I will keep my ITVN until that time!

That is indeed good news...but I will believe it when I see it!