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ESPN has continued its buying spree of rights made available by the collapse of Setanta by snapping up a package of live Guinness Premiership rugby union.

The American broadcaster, which has already acquired Premier League football and FA Cup rights previously held by the now defunct Irish pay-TV company, will show 43 live matches and exclusive coverage of the Guinness Premiership Final, plus one semi-final, under the terms of the latest deal.

Sky Sports, which currently holds the rights for live Premiership matches, will share the rights with ESPN and show 26 live Guinness Premiership games plus the other semi-final.

Sky and Setanta were handed the rights a year ago by Premier Rugby, which claims that ESPN is paying almost exactly the same as Setanta for its three-year deal, which starts next September.

Commercial director of Premier Rugby, Jon Varney, said: “This deal with ESPN secures a partnership with one of the world’s leading broadcasters, who become yet another blue chip supporter of club rugby in England.

“Starting next season, our new television deals mean we have doubled the number of live televised Premiership matches, which will further raise the profile of the sport in the UK and overseas and will allow our clubs and sponsors to derive even greater exposure and value. It also means supporters have more chance to see their team on live television.

“ESPN are renowned for their innovation and we are all genuinely excited about the opportunity of working with them to drive value in both our businesses.”

Vice-president of ESPN TV channels Europe, Middle East and Africa, Jeroen Oerlemans, added: “The Guinness Premiership is among the very best UK sports competitions, with a passionate fan base and top-quality competition. We’re thrilled to add it to our programming schedule and know that it will deliver great value for fans, advertisers and our partners.”