Subscription broadcaster Setanta Sports is planning to launch a second channel in Ukraine, having gone live with its service in the country just over six months ago.
Mariya Lysenko, head of distribution at Setanta Eurasia, told Ukraine’s UA Football that the addition of a second channel would happen “in the near future”.
She said that the broadcaster has submitted an application to the National Council of TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine and expects a decision soon.
Setanta launched in Ukraine on August 1, having picked up a host of sports rights in the country, including the acquisition of English Premier League rights from the IMG agency for the 2019-20 to 2021-22 cycle.
Along with the Premier League, Setanta also acquired the rights to the NBA, NHL, UFC and ATP Tour. Its deals for rights to the NHL, UFC, and ATP events were also acquired from IMG.
The service initially launched as an OTT platform distributed by the digital division of Ukrainian broadcasting group StarLightMedia.
Ukraine has traditionally been tough market for rights-holders as Media Group Ukraine, owners of the Football 1 and Football 2 channels, has dominated the market. However, in recent times, the emergence of OTT platform Megogo and telecoms operator Volia has added a competitive element.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Volia has added Media Group Ukraine’s Football 3 channel to it’s digital television and IPTV platforms.