Tiscali is to begin coverage of live Premier League football through its television service.

The coverage will be added to its Tiscali TV service after the firm struck a deal with Irish broadcaster Setanta.

Tiscali's deal follows it recently reaching agreement with BSkyB to show the broadcaster's standard channels, as it attempts to steal a march on its competitors in the increasingly cut-throat home entertainment market.

Among broadband providers football coverage is regarded as crucial to achieving greater market penetration, after the sport proved such a key selling point for BSkyB's satellite television service in the 90s.

Virgin Media and BT Vision have both already inked deals with Setanta to show Premier League matches.

BT Vision customers who pay £17.99 or more for their broadband are able to view 46 live games and 242 near-live games.

Meanwhile, users of Virgin Media's £20.50 XL package and who pay for its fixed-line phone service are able to access Setanta Sports for free.