The Disney-owned sports network ESPN has won the right to show 46 live English Premier League football matches for the 2009/10 season after picking up the broadcasting rights from troubled group Setanta.

Setanta was forced to hand back the rights to the games after failing to make a payment last week. ESPN will also show 23 games in the 2010 to 2013 period.

"The Premier League is extremely pleased to have added ESPN as a UK rights holder," Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said.

"They have a formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them.

"I would like to thank ESPN, as well as all the other broadcasters who submitted bids, for their professionalism and effort in engaging in our sales process at such short notice."

British dominant pay-TV firm BSkyB will show 92 games in the 2009/10 season and then 115 for the following three-year contract.

Setanta have lost the rights to show Scottish games after also defaulting on a payment.

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