Setanta buys rights to broadcast PGA tour

Setanta Sports today announced that it landed a six-year deal to exclusively broadcast the US PGA Tour.

The deal, beginning on January 1st 2007, gives Setanta the rights to all PGA tour events and programming including the Players' Championship.

Setanta will also be able to broadcast twenty-four events from the Champions Tour, the seniors tour for those aged 50 and over, plus extensive coverage of the Nationwide tour.

Coverage of the PGA Tour in Ireland and the UK is currently broadcast on Sky Sports.

Trevor East, Setanta's director of sports, described the deal as a "major coup" for the company.

He said: "A dedicated golf channel featuring the game's biggest names in peak viewing time alongside our major football content provides a compelling proposition for subscribers".

The deal coincides with the company's plans to launch a a 24-hour golf channel on New Year's Day 2007.

Tim Leisure of the PGA tour said: "The tour has a new look in 2007 and with our new partner, Setanta Sports, a new golf channel on which to present our mutual passion for the game of golf".

"We couldn't be more pleased with our new relationship with Setanta Sports which coincides with the launch of the FedExCup series in 2007."

The competition is a new concept entailing a season-long, points bonus programme for players spanning 37 weeks.