US broadcaster ESPN last night won a £90million contract to show 46 live Premier League games next season.
Espn, owned by Disney, picked up both packages which were put up for auction by the Premier League yesterday after they were taken away from Setanta.
And in a separate deal, they also won the rights to screen 23 games for three seasons from 2010 in what is a double blow for Sky.
Setanta's deal for next season's package was worth £131m but the troubled Irish broadcaster has already paid £40m, so Premier League clubs will not be affected by yesterday's auction.
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Sky have long feared ESPN bidding for Premier League rights as the US giant represents a huge threat to their domestic dominance.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said. "ESPN have a formidable worldwide reputation and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship."
Setanta will have a crunch meeting today but it is likely the broadcaster will be forced into administration.
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