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Setanta deal nixed as Fox launches soccer net US net Fox has unveiled plans to launch a second network dedicated to soccer, in the process snuffing speculation that it might buy sportscaster Setanta's US operations. Fox Soccer Plus will be an HD sister network to Fox Soccer Channel (FSC), which launched in 1997. It will offer matches from the European Champions League, England's Premier League, the English FA Cup and Italy's Serie A. "As America's interest in the world's game is increasing, the launch of Fox Soccer Plus will complement and enhance our current programming on Fox Soccer Channel," said David Nathanson, general manager of FSC. The deal sees Setanta Sports USA's sub-licensing of English Premier League and UEFA Champions League coming to an end. The news comes after Irish reports initially suggested that Fox had agreed a deal to buy Setanta's US operations outright. However, it now appears that Fox has only picked up the soccer rights that were held by Setanta USA. As a result, a question mark now hangs over the future direction of Setanta USA, with its American website having removed references to coverage of the Premier League and the Champions League. Setanta's US, Canadian, Irish and Australian operations survived the collapse of the UK operation, which went into administration last June after missing payments to several sports groups for which it had broadcast rights. The company folded owing some £200m (US$322.8m) in debt, having failed in a last-minute £20m rescue attempt. It was replaced on UK pay-TV screens by Disney-owned sportscaster ESPN. Adam Benzine 12 Jan 2010 © C21 Media 2010 
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