Fans could be watching EPL television channel soon.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- English Premier League channels are set to start broadcasting across the world next season when a new 24-hour service is launched, a league executive with direct knowledge of the situation said Friday.

The league will provide a continuous international feed of programing for broadcast rights holders outside Britain to form their own Premier League channels, the executive told The Associated Press. He spoke on condition of anonymity because a public announcement is yet to be made.

International broadcasters are set to pay around US$1.6 billion to show live Premier League matches for the three seasons starting in 2010 -- an 80 per cent increase on the current TV deal.

Local networks will be able to pick and choose content from the league's official feed, which will include news and feature shows alongside classic matches, and show local adverts and live matches.

While it is a de facto Premier League TV channel, the continuous feed is officially being called a "content service" so that it doesn't impede the ability of the clubs, including Manchester United and MUTV, to sell their own channels around the world.

It will be run by Premier League Productions, which is a joint venture between the league and TWI, the television arm of International Management Group.

"We are launching the channel now because we have gained experience in program production with TWI through PLP and there is a demand for it," the executive said. "That is coming especially from the broadcasters who have purchased our rights to drive the take-up of their platforms but don't necessarily want to invest in programming too."

The Premier League is searching for a recognizable anchor to be the face of the content.

It was not immediately known which broadcasters will pay for the feed.