[jfman]

I accept I'm being quite pessimistic, but it's hard to see where the subscribers come from. BARB viewer numbers weren't high for the content when it had far wider distribution.

Setanta were established in other countries, but ultimately owners and shareholders won't put up with losses forever.

It's been quoted Sky paid £18m last season for La Liga alone. Eleven would need 360 000 subscribers at £50 a year to cover that ignoring taxes, other costs, etc.

I suppose if they could get a wholesale deal with Virgin, maybe 25p per XL (whatever they call that these days) would give them about £5m towards costs.