Celtic, Rangers get TV channels

PPV broadcaster Setanta has announced plans to launch channels for fans of the Scottish football teams Celtic and Rangers.

The new stations - Celtic TV and Rangers TV - will launch on Sky later this summer, broadcasting "programming designed with the dedicated fan in mind" every weekday.

A press release explains further: "Central to the programming line-up of both channels will be the screening of the club's latest Bank of Scotland Premierleague game on a delayed basis, on the Monday evening of each week. Other channel content will include exclusive news and interviews, insight direct from the training grounds, coverage of the reserves and youth teams, manager access and pre-season tours and friendlies. Classic games will also feature, bringing back some of the best moments from Scottish football down the years."

Subscription to each channel will be £6.99 a month, although Setanta is offering a reduced £15.99/mo rate for customers who wish to take up the 'SPL Live' channel also.

Peter Lawwell, Executive Director of Celtic FC said, "We see this joint venture as a natural progression for our present Celtic TV product. The Setanta partnership is an exciting opportunity and gives Celtic TV access to a much wider audience."

Martin Bain, Director of Football Business, Rangers FC said: "Rangers Television is an exciting concept for the Club and supporters and one we have considered for a number of years. The channel will initially be available to over 10 million digital homes in the UK on satellite and cable with plans for overseas distribution in the future."

English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea have already been on the air with their own dedicated stations for several seasons.