Irish pay television broadcaster Setanta Sports added a 12th channel to its ever-expanding portfolio yesterday with the launch of Arsenal TV.
The new station, which will comprise six hours of programming on the London football club each day, will be carried exclusively by Setanta on cable and satellite in Ireland and the UK as part of a six-year deal.
In August, Setanta became the first broadcaster other than Sky to show live English Premier League matches. Before Christmas, the Irish company said it had one million premium subscribers in Ireland and Britain.
The new station will be available to Setanta subscribers as part of their existing monthly fee. Setanta already carries the TV channels of Celtic, Rangers and Liverpool football clubs on both sides of the Irish Sea on satellite and cable. It also carries Chelsea TV on cable in Ireland.
Setanta's premium package also includes Setanta Sports 1 and 2, NASN, Setanta Golf and Racing UK. Arsenal, which currently lies second in the FA Premier League, is the last of the Big Four clubs across the water to launch its own television station.
Setanta co-founder Michael O'Rourke said the Arsenal deal was another important step for the company and "confirms our ongoing passion to deliver the best in sporting entertainment".
Arsenal TV launched with a special free-to-air programme hosted by Clare-born broadcaster Des Lynam. No financial details relating to the deal were published.
