Jobs threat after Setanta folds

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8115906.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A technology company in Fife has told its staff that there are likely to be job losses as a result of Setanta going into administration.

Mgt, which has offices in Kirkcaldy and Methil, provided billing and software services for the TV company.

The firm has told staff that it is starting a 30 day consultation on jobs and that it needs to cut costs.

MGt, which is based in Kirkcaldy, employs 1,000 staff but only about 100 are likely to be affected.

The Irish broadcaster went into administration after failing to make payments to sporting organisations.

Setanta has now stopped broadcasting to customers in Great Britain, but the administrator Deloitte said it would continue to operate elsewhere.

MGt provides a range of customer and revenue management software to clients including BT Retail, Digital UK, Freeview, Setanta Sports and Sony Entertainment.

SPL rights

About 200 Setanta Sports employees involved with the British operations have already been told they will be made redundant.

"This is a sad day for all concerned," said Sir Robin Miller, chairman of Setanta.

Setanta International and Setanta Ireland have not entered administration. Setanta Ireland will cover broadcasting in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Analysts say Setanta has been running at a loss of about £100m a year, after missing subscriber targets.

Setanta Sports missed payments to both the English Premier League and the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in recent weeks.

The SPL has said it is looking for a new buyer for its domestic broadcasting rights.