BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE RETURNS TO THE PITCH ON SPORTSNET AND SETANTA SPORTS THIS WEEKEND

- Sportsnet and Setanta combine for the most extensive coverage of the Barclays Premier League, including five live matches between the two channels for opening weekend -

TORONTO (August 11, 2011) – Rogers Sportsnet and Setanta Sports is your home for the 2011-2012 Barclays Premier League season featuring Newcastle hosting Arsenal on Saturday, August 13 at 12 p.m. (ET)/9 a.m. (PT) on Sportsnet ONE.

Gerry Dobson and Craig Forrest will host SoccerCentral to preview the match, followed by the post-game show at 2 p.m. (ET)/11 a.m. (PT).

Sportsnet opens BPL coverage Saturday morning with Queens Park vs. Bolton at 9:30 a.m. (ET)/6:30 a.m. (PT) followed by the match at 10 a.m. (ET)/7 a.m. (PT) on the Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific channels.

Setanta is the exclusive home of BPL matches played on Sundays kicking off with a double-header on Sunday, August 14 at 7:30 a.m. (ET)/4:30 a.m. (PT) when Stoke City faces Chelsea, followed by West Bromwich hosting the defending champion Manchester United at 10 a.m. (ET)/7 a.m. (PT).

Setanta will also have the Liverpool vs. Sunderland match on Saturday, August 13 at 9:45 a.m. (ET)/6:45 a.m. (PT).

The network’s BPL broadcast schedule every Saturday will have a live match at 10 a.m. (ET). Sportsnet ONE will offer a live match at 12 p.m. (ET) from Saturday, August, 27 until Saturday, September 17. All matches are in high definition.

Setanta’s BPL schedule will also present live and delayed coverage every Saturday as well as mid-week matches throughout the season. Setanta Sports is available to preview through participating distributors beginning Aug. 12 until Sept. 13.

Over on sportsnet.ca, the website will provide full match-day highlights, a weekly blog and power rankings on all BPL teams throughout the season.

For all the highlights, breaking news and inside stories, tune in to Sportsnet Connected and visit www.sportsnet.ca

For more information on Setanta including full programming schedules, visit www.setanta.com. Setanta Sports, The Home of International Soccer.

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