Top TV football games pub 'blackout'

Thousands of pubs were caught up in a soccer-TV black-out of England's vital World Cup qualifying matches following satellite channel Setanta's capture of exclusive screening rights.

No coverage was available on Sky and highlights were not even available on terrestrial channels for the big game against Andorra and last Wednesday's crunch match with Croatia.

Only a fraction of pubs normally able to show the live games actually screened the matches as many disappointed hosts counted the cost in lost takings. Licensees who had paid extra for Setanta this season were rewarded as customers frantically sought out pubs showing the games. Host Graham Rowson, of the Plungington Hotel, Preston, said customers deserted his pub for other venues.

"Many realised at the last minute that the game was only available on Setanta and made a dash for pubs where the games were being screened," he said.

Bob Findlay, of the Sun, Windlesham, Surrey, said many drinkers could not discover which local pubs were showing the games: "Few premises seemed to have Setanta — it left a lot of disappointed punters."

Matt Jackson, who runs the Sun Hotel, in Lancaster, said his pub only had Sky and many customers were left kicking their heels. Pub operator Mitchells of Lancaster said only a few selected managed houses showed Setanta.

"Most pubs were left high and dry. It was very poor organisation, especially as there were not even highlights later in the evening," said co-managing director Andrew Barker.

But pubs screening Setanta enjoyed a busy night and many laid on more staff in order to cope with extra customers.

Host Joanne Ridgway of the Kings Arms, Clitheroe, said a surprising number of pubs there showed the games: "We were very busy. We decided in the summer that taking out the Setanta package would be worthwhile," she said.

Only an estimated 1.5m viewers across the UK watched last Wednesday's match against Croatia.