Ukrainian football is trying to survive without looking at the war. The championship of Ukraine continues its marathon, according to the calendar. Millions of fans want to see their favorite teams play, again, no matter what, and realizing that the level of our football has gone down. As is known UPL translator of the 2022/2023 season "Setanta".
But single pool — with the participation of all 16 UPL clubs, which the broadcaster wanted and which was a condition of the agreement, could not be created. As a result, Setanta gradually lost the desire to show matches on the TV channel, and football went to the Internet. If only two matches (out of 40 matches) were scheduled from the 1st to the 5th round exclusively on the Internet (paid - for 109 UAH), then in the 6th-8th round there were six such matches, including the most interesting game of "Shakhtar" with "Dynamo". In the 9th round, five matches will go online.
According to the information that Footboom received from confidential sources in the UPL, the following is currently known:
— "Setanta", without looking at anything, is still interested in finding an option for cooperation with all UPL clubs.
— Regarding the showing of the match "Shakhtar" - "Dynamo", which was able to be seen by a limited audience of fans, and whether this could happen again: "Setanta" warned everyone before the match between "Miners" and "Dynamo" that the broadcast will take place exclusively on a paid platform. More of this is not planned yet.
— If the clubs themselves will decide the issue of broadcasts of their nominally home matches, then, as UPL believes, it is not known, first of all, in what form and where these matches will be shown. Currently, according to the regulations and the agreement with the broadcaster, eight cameras and VAR work at each game.
— Official translator, currently Setanta, is an international company that presents its TV product in 20 countries. Accordingly, club sponsors and advertisers have a guarantee that their brand will be known in a large part of Europe.
— If not Setanta... Matches of the championship of Ukraine are viewed by other potential broadcasters, who, accordingly, are thinking about the possibility of buying this product. UPL is working to find another translator. The search does not stop.
— They are also looking for a compromise with "Setanta", which would accommodate both UPL clubs and "Setanta" itself. It is known that there are currently agreements with 11 clubs. Negotiations continue with others. Starting from the 9th round of the championship of Ukraine (to some extent already from the 8th round), Ukrainian football is gradually returning and in the future has a chance to fully return from the Internet, where fans will have to pay 109 hryvnias on television for the opportunity to watch each individual match.
We will add: The 9th and 10th rounds of the championship of Ukraine will show who agrees on what and what to expect in the future...
Oleg Semenchenko
