Setanta and Arsenal launch TV channel

Setanta Sports has signed a six-year deal with Arsenal Football Club to broadcast its new Arsenal TV channel.

The channel will launch in December, and will be available on cable and satellite as part of the Setanta Sports pack at no extra charge. Arsenal TV will also be available to Setanta customers in the Republic of Ireland.

In July, Setanta signed a similar three-year deal with Liverpool, with the team's channel launching this week.

Michael O’Rourke, co-founder and co-chief executive of Setanta, said: "Arsenal fans will be delighted that they can now follow their team on their own channel. The fantastic extra benefit is that not only will the fans get Arsenal TV, they will get the best of our other channels in the same bundle."

Content on the channel will include delayed coverage of all Arsenal matches in the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup; behind the scenes access to the club; interviews; live coverage of reserve matches and highlights from the Arsenal Academy and Arsenal Ladies matches.

The deal includes sponsorship and marketing rights, access to players, intellectual property and media access. The deal differs from those Manchester United and Chelsea have for their channels - where they pay satellite and subscriber management costs - as Setanta pays a rights fee to Arsenal and Liverpool to drive subscriptions.

Keith Edelman, managing director of Arsenal FC, said: "Arsenal TV will provide the Club with a powerful way of communicating with our fans in both the UK and Republic of Ireland. For the first time supporters will really be able to see behind the scenes at Emirates Stadium. We are aiming to provide quality programming that is not only informative but also reflects the exciting brand of football we play on the pitch."