Setanta strange final PL game choice

radiowaves

They've gone for Norwich vs Arsenal where (as they say themselves) Norwich need a mathematical miracle to stay up. Let's face it, they are down.

On the other hand, Sky - having not deemed this mathematical miracle in any way likely - have focused on the battle for the final Europa League place by taking Tottenham's match.

I'm baffled why Setanta didn't take the last remaining match of any importance (Manchester United's).

Strange

icdg

Shocked at that. Massive goal differences mean it would be a miracle of epic proportions for either side to move above their current places (18th and 4th respectively) whereas United could conceivably catch Spurs if they won and Spurs lost.

Even more shocked though at Setanta passing up the opportunity to show United when given the chance. The only reason I can think of is would be if quotas do indeed apply to this package (I was of the understanding that they didn't) and Setanta have filled both their United and Chelsea quotas.

radiowaves

icdg wrote: »

Even more shocked though at Setanta passing up the opportunity to show United when given the chance. The only reason I can think of is would be if quotas do indeed apply to this package (I was of the understanding that they didn't) and Setanta have filled both their United and Chelsea quotas.

They don't mate - Setanta were free to choose whatever match takes their fancy once Sky had chosen their three.

The irony with not choosing United is that they would've been justified this time (so no cause for any complaints from anyone)

icdg

I can't remember the last time Setanta failed to pick United when they were able to do so.

radiowaves

icdg wrote: »

I can't remember the last time Setanta failed to pick United when they were able to do so.

They have always "guaranteed" it - based on questions about team supported they ask subscribers and those cancelling.

Still can't get over it.

traecy1

As an Arsenal fan I'm delighted they're going to show it but I agree it's a very strange decision. I've often been annoyed with them for ignoring more attracive games to show Man United at home to a weak team but in this case Southampton v Man United is more attractive and relevant than Norwich v Arsenal.

radiowaves

traecy1 wrote: »

As an Arsenal fan I'm delighted they're going to show it but I agree it's a very strange decision. I've often been annoyed with them for ignoring more attracive games to show Man United at home to a weak team but in this case Southampton v Man United is more attractive and relevant than Norwich v Arsenal.

You're not the only Arsenal fan I've spoken to today who's baffled by this.

In addition, just about everybody else I've spoken to - 3 United of a mix totalling 11 - are astonished to say the very least.

For the record I'll have the United match in HD from other sources so on a personal level it doesn't bother me.

lertsnim

Surprised but I will be watching. Thought I'd be streaming it.

mikeym

Thought they would have showed Man Utd.

Didnt someone on boards suggest that Setanta Sports 1 should be renamed MUTV2 a few years ago

As for me I'll be watching the Man City game

radiowaves

mikeym wrote: »

Thought they would have showed Man Utd.

Didnt someone on boards suggest that Setanta Sports 1 should be renamed MUTV2 a few years ago

As for me I'll be watching the Man City game

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people who ignore facts to suit some strange agenda.

Whilst I haven't got figures, Setanta have the exact same tendency to show Liverpool at home to "cannon-fodder" and, due to the fact that they haven't been involved in title-races in recent times, I'd imagine much moreso than United too.

This of course ignores the fact that Manchester United rarely do play at 3pm on a Saturday!

I can only remember one occasion in the past couple of seasons that United and Liverpool both kicked off at 3pm on Saturday. About 4 weeks in advance of the day Setanta launched a poll on their site (and through their coverage) to ascertain which game they should show - this all stopped after about a week and they ended up showing United. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to work out why.

From a commercial point of view they'd be absolutely crazy not to show Manchester United - or Liverpool - on the rare occasions they can. They not only need to attract subscribers but they also need commercial revenue.

Their subscriber-base obviously demand Manchester United and Liverpool matches anyway (as I alluded to with the questions they ask both when subscribing and when cancelling).

Whatever arguments might be put up against them showing United (or Liverpool) at home in "guaranteed-win" fixtures during the season there is absolutely no argument in favour of them not showing United this Sunday. From every way you look at it it is sheer lunacy and they've thrown away any possible hope of retaining a decent audience thanks to events playing out elsewhere.

traecy1

Yes I'd agree with radiowaves. Even though I want them to show Arsenal every chance they can, I realise Man United and Liverpool are more widely supported in this country and it makes more sense for Setanta to show them when they can. I'm sure they'll be hoping United lose to Southampton as Thursday night football will mean even less Saturday 3pm games for them next season.

icdg

Usually it's quite easy to predict which match Setanta will show, they'll do it in this priority:

1. Manchester United
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea/Arsenal/Man City
3. Whatever game is best of what's left.

I've still to find anyone who can give me a good reason as to why they've picked this particular fixture though.

radiowaves

icdg wrote: »

Usually it's quite easy to predict which match Setanta will show, they'll do it in this priority:

1. Manchester United
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea/Arsenal/Man City
3. Whatever game is best of what's left.

I've still to find anyone who can give me a good reason as to why they've picked this particular fixture though.

I'd throw Everton into number 3 - at one point I'd've put them ahead of city until city got a cash injection - otherwise spot on. Everton do have a long-standing traditional support here.

And it certainly makes perfect sense for them to do it in that order.

But no sense in their pick for tomorrow.

radiowaves

From Setanta's website reviewing the fixtures:

Are Arsenal going to partially disguise their failings with another pressure-free three points?

....

While not mathematically certain of being relegated, an inferior goal difference to the tune of 17 means Norwich City's three-year stay in the Premier League is coming to a close.

Expect plenty of goals!

Norwich vs Arsenal is live on Setanta Sports 1 on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 3pm

Can Man Utd end their horror-season with a morale-boosting win?

...

Southampton are a team who have excelled this campaign through a commitment to attacking football and showing huge faith in a set of young players. After a season which will see them clinch their highest-ever Premier League finish, Mauricio Pochettino and his players will be keen to end with a win and with Giggs equally eager for a stylish victory, this match could be a real cracker for the purists.

No mention in the full review of United's match that a Europa League place is a possibility (have they overlooked it?) and the bolded bit suggests they have no idea that it is slightly more important than a dead-rubber.

Meanwhile, do they actually believe Norwich are going to go for it? And even if they do, that Arsenal will concede loads?

Delta2113

Did they have to pick the game a week ago or 3 weeks ago? They cant just decide on friday night out for a few after work in temple bar which game they will show.

tallaghtmick

Setanta Ireland= Liverpool
Setanta 1= Man united

radiowaves

Delta2113 wrote: »

Did they have to pick the game a week ago or 3 weeks ago? They cant just decide on friday night out for a few after work in temple bar which game they will show.

The earliest the game was picked is Wednesday night at 9.37pm when Sky announced which match was their third choice.

The latest - Thursday morning when it appeared on their website.

So it was likely last Wednesday night out for a few after work in Temple Bar.

radiowaves

tallaghtmick wrote: »

Setanta Ireland= Liverpool
Setanta 1= Man united

Any chance you could flesh this post out

tallaghtmick

radiowaves wrote: »

Any chance you could flesh this post out

Anytime those teams play thats the channel they do be on, as pool are on sky, Setanta Ireland will show Arsenal instead. I cant remember the last time united were on setanta Ireland, its really frustrating as a fan that I have to pay extra to watch my team while others dont.

Setanta will want more viewers therefore showing it on the free channel will do that.

All of the above prob wont make sense :pac: but it does to me.

radiowaves

tallaghtmick wrote: »

Anytime those teams play thats the channel they do be on, as pool are on sky, Setanta Ireland will show Arsenal instead. I cant remember the last time united were on setanta Ireland, its really frustrating as a fan that I have to pay extra to watch my team while others dont.

Setanta will want more viewers therefore showing it on the free channel will do that.

All of the above prob wont make sense :pac: but it does to me.

There was just one match on Setanta Ireland this season - Stoke v Spurs

Tomorrow's Arsenal match is on Setanta Sports 1

And if achieving more viewers was their sole object then showing Manchester United on Setanta Ireland would achieve that better than any other combination

tallaghtmick

radiowaves wrote: »

There was just one match on Setanta Ireland this season - Stoke v Spurs

Tomorrow's Arsenal match is on Setanta Sports 1

And if achieving more viewers was their sole object then showing Manchester United on Setanta Ireland would achieve that better than any other combination

Im def getting channels mixed up, whats the channel thats free on upc? Could have sworn ive seen Liverpool on Setanta Ireland.....ignore me im talking out me arse!

Edit: figured it out, ive UPC and a er eh "sat box" the channels aren't spelt correctly on the epg both come up as Setanta on the other box :O

tallaghtmick

Away from my insane drivel(brain has been mush this week) I agree United and Liverpool do get the most air time, but this country is mostly Liverpool and United fans which would explain that.

Does anyone know when the match to be aired gets chosen? Maybe Setanta thought a relegation battle was going to happen.

radiowaves

tallaghtmick wrote: »

Away from my insane drivel(brain has been mush this week) I agree United and Liverpool do get the most air time, but this country is mostly Liverpool and United fans which would explain that.

Does anyone know when the match to be aired gets chosen? Maybe Setanta thought a relegation battle was going to happen.

As mentioned already the very earliest tomorrow's match could've been chosen was Wednesday evening just gone. Setanta could only choose once Sky had confirmed their picks.

icdg

Normally they pick them once Sky and BT have made their picks, so Sky and BT will announce a batch and Setanta will then announce their games for the same period shortly after (usually by the next day). There is a quid pro quo which only applies to Setanta's package and that is they can only show games at 3pm on Saturdays (except in Round 38) so if a game is moved for reasons other than TV (policing or Cup involvement) they must make a different pick from the matches remaining at 3pm.

In Round 38's case, BT was out of picks, so Setanta had to wait for Sky to pick and then could make it's pick from the remaining games.

As an aside, in the old days when games were shared between Setanta Ireland and Setanta Sports 1, united games were almost always moved to Setanta Sports 1. At the start of this season Setanta negotiated out of their commitment to UPC to show 16 games on Setanta Ireland and now all games are shown on Setanta Sports 1 except where Premier Sports schedule means that the channel isn't available.