>>>if the network can't air more than 10% of Rugby, Cricket, or Soccer, how will this affect Australian Rules Football? I hope they don't have to cut any coverage of it.<<<

I would suppose A1GP auto racing would fall into this category as well....

Aussie Rules might be under FOX Sports' license?

Keep in mind their close relationship with Rogers may see some of those properties wind up on Sportsnet.

They've posted their Aug. and Sept. Premier League schedule (http://www.setantaca.com/en/CAN/News/Setantas-Barclays-Premier-League-Schedule-Announced/).

So what does the CRTC information really mean?

Seems like Rogers has asked that Setanta become a regular digital channel rather than a PPV style channel. I think this means that the channel gets a portion of the package and basic fees that Rogers charges, and then can charge a subscription fee as well.

I am not sure how many new subscribers they would get if the service was $5 or less (not sure how much the channel is a la carte) but it could be included in sports packs etc.

It would be a miracle if they got it going in time for this season. It must represent a substantial increase in revenue from changring everyone $15 a month.

Anyone know what this means for us subscribers?

I can't see it meaning a great deal to be honest. Maybe some more "news-style" shows and pre-game and post-game shows. Hopefully it will mean an end to those interminable musical interludes.

As for the pricing, I can't see that changing, but we can live in hope.

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed, I couldn't skim all 40 pages on this thread, but is this channel going to carry the Setanta boxing matches that are aired in the UK? I would consider subscribing for that.

I haven't seen any boxing on Setanta.

A William Houston column in the Globe & Mail mentions Setanta. From the column:New to the channel will be FA Cup coverage and supplementary soccer content, such as preview, highlights and news shows, as well as live games from other leagues.

Programming has been improved because Setanta will be given a new cable designation, moving from pay per view to a category 2 tier, which allows for broader scheduling opportunities.

After one full season in the Canadian market, Setanta's distribution of 50,000-plus has exceeded expectations, O'Rourke said. And, with beefed-up programming, viewers are getting more bang for their buck.

But there are negatives, starting with the monthly fee. As well, high-definition television, for which soccer is a particularly good sport, is not available.

There's no solution to the HDTV problem, O'Rourke said. Most of the content aired on Setanta is shot in standard definition and the channel does not have a separate HDTV channel.http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080805.wolymtruth5/TPStory/Sports/columnists

With only 50,000 subscribers they can't be making much, if any, money. I'm wondering what other sources of revenue they have as there aren't really many commercials to speak of. (I doubt Magners cider are paying much for the ad Setanta is showing these days). Does being moved up to "category 2 tier mean they'll get more per subscriber from the cable/satellite providers?

Yes, they'll get more per subscriber from the same $14.99, but they'll have the added expense of producing Canadian content.

With only 50,000 subscribers they can't be making much, if any, money. I'm wondering what other sources of revenue they have as there aren't really many commercials to speak of. (I doubt Magners cider are paying much for the ad Setanta is showing these days). Does being moved up to "category 2 tier mean they'll get more per subscriber from the cable/satellite providers?
Well it's still $750,000 a month. Sounds not too bad to me. These numbers are better than many people thought. I don't know what the rights fees or production costs are, but it usually takes a couple of years before specialty channels make any money. With a better range of programming, the numbers may get even better.

From the comments in the article I think my dream of the Premier League in HD is dead.

See below. I don't agree with the 30% better from the picture I get on my HD TV. The Setanta picture quality verges on terrible most of the time.

Maybe they could use the $750,000 per month to buy some HD cameras!!!

From the article:

"But there are negatives, starting with the monthly fee. As well, high-definition television, for which soccer is a particularly good sport, is not available.

There's no solution to the HDTV problem, O'Rourke said. Most of the content aired on Setanta is shot in standard definition and the channel does not have a separate HDTV channel.

"Traditionally, [Britain's] standard definition is 30 per cent better than our standard definition," he said. "So the jump is not that big.""

I'm not being smug, but the fact that some people complain about the SD telecasts "picture quality verges on terrible most of the time," has to be mainly due either to their HDTV sets or their signal source or even both and not Setanta. (Never thought I would ever defend Setanta, :rolleyes:) but friends who do not have HDTVs are convinced when viewing a game on my Plasma that the PQ on the Setanta channel is actually Hi-Definition and I have to prove to them that it isn't.

I've been saying the same for a while now. When it is a Setanta live game the PQ on my 46" is excellent although I do find a Sky broadcast on Setanta not as good as a Setanta live game on Setanta (if you get my drift).
Robin

I've been saying the same for a while now. When it is a Setanta live game the PQ on my 46" is excellent although I do find a Sky broadcast on Setanta not as good as a Setanta live game on Setanta (if you get my drift).
Robin
+1. Setanta's own broadcasts are good, nowhere near HD quality but compared to when they have to show a $ky broadcast then it is night and day.

@ jgvp - I suggest your friends need their eyes testing if they think a regular Setanta broadcast is actually as good as HD. A regular Setanta broadcast is no better than your average everyday Sportsnet SD signal.

I have a HDPVR connected with excellent quality HDMI cable to a 1080p Philips LCD (1080i is the signal from the box) and Setanta is awful.

Any news went Setanta Canada, Sportsnet 2, going to broadcats soccer shows just like their american counterpart?

Does anyone have any word on whether Setanta will be covering A1GP World Cup of Motorsport again this year?

Does anyone know when the new programming schedule will be available?

Setanta's schedule on their web site only shows "GENERAL - Please check back for updates" beginning with 1 September. Meanwhile, our [Cogeco] channel guide simply says "Setanta Programming" for any date after 31 August.

Works fine for me here:

http://www.setantaca.com/en/CAN/Our-Schedules/