Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke criticised by animal rights campaigners after launching 'sick' hunting channel in UK

  • MyOutdoorTV is an app which broadcasts hunting and fishing programmes
  • Animal rights campaigners have slammed the channel for glorifying bloodsport
  • Stan Kroenke's company launched the channel to UK subscribers this weekend
  • One programme 'Tracks Across Africa' depicts hunters shooting at elephants 

Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke has come under fire from animal rights campaigners after launching a controversial on-demand channel which graphically depicts hunting and fishing for bloodsport. 

The MyOutdoorTV app has been made available to UK subscribers for £7.60 a month and broadcasts a host of shows including programmes which see lions, elephants and other endangered species killed.

The channel, which has been described as the 'Netflix of the hunting world', was launched at a Game Fair in Hertfordshire this weekend but Kroenke has attracted immediate criticism for bringing the platform to UK audiences.

Stan Kroenke's Outdoor Sportsman Group owns controversial hunting channel MyOutdoorTV 

Stan Kroenke's Outdoor Sportsman Group owns controversial hunting channel MyOutdoorTV 

MyOutdoorTV hosts dozens of shows including the Tracks Across Africa programme, which follows professional African hunters as they hunt down elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards. 


Another show, Steve's Outdoor Adventures, depicts various big game hunting adventures with the host Steve West standing over a murdered bear alongside a fellow hunter in one particular episode. 

Dark Continent Quest meanwhile sees host Jana Waller shooting an African antelope the hartebeest with a bow and arrow before waiting for the animal to bleed out.

And an animal rights group has slammed Kronke's decision to make the MyOutdoorTV app available in the UK, claiming the channel glorifies trophy hunting.

One shot from the TV channel's Twitter account depicts hunters standing over a bear

One shot from the TV channel's Twitter account depicts hunters standing over a bear

Kip Campbell, host of Red Arrow TV, poses alongside the carcass of a slain deer

Kip Campbell, host of Red Arrow TV, poses alongside the carcass of a slain deer

'We're living in a world now where most people can see how brutal and shameful trophy hunting is', Philippa King, CEO of League Against Cruel Sports told The Times. 'Yet the Arsenal boss is choosing to launch his sick TV channel in the UK.'

ITV News political editor Robert Peston also criticised Kroenke's decision to launch MyOutdoorTV to UK audiences, tweeting: 'As an Arsenal supporter I have to pay money to this person. I feel sick.'

Piers Morgan also took to Twitter to express his anger, responding to a tweet from former cricketer Kevin Pietersen by saying he hopes the incident 'hastens Kroenke's departure from our club'.

A spokesman for MyOutdoorTV, Simon Barr, defended the channel saying that it's programmes provide information on how big game hunting assists conservation.

One episode of Hunt Masters shows host Gregg Ritz track down and kill a Roosevelt elk

One episode of Hunt Masters shows host Gregg Ritz track down and kill a Roosevelt elk

Live 2 Hunt shows hunters celebrating after shooting dead a bull elk in British Columbia

Live 2 Hunt shows hunters celebrating after shooting dead a bull elk in British Columbia

MY OUTDOOR TV PROGRAMMES

Miss Wildgame - shows competitive cross bow hunts and is described as 'the first hardcore hunting competition to put huntresses with massive followings head-to-head'

Michael Waddell's Bone Collector - documents elk hunting across rural USA and describes itself as glorifying the 'brotherhood of sportsmen that have true passion for the game' 

Tracks Across Africa - follows hunters shooting elephants, lions and cape buffalo - 'dedicated to capturing the essence of the African safari'

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'I'm sure people won't like all the content on MOTV, but it won't be censored,' Barr said. 'On every film there's an explanation of what hunting does for conservation and the local community.'

The MyOutdoorTV official website says the channel provides 'TV shows and product demonstrations to hunters, shooting sports enthusiasts, anglers, campers, boaters, and hikers' and describes itself as the 'worldwide leader in outdoor TV'. 

It is already available to viewers in the United States, where it is received in more than 40million households.

The channel is part of the Outdoor Sportsman Group which is a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the majority shareholders of Arsenal.  

Steve West and Don Hardaway stand above a dead bear on Steve's Outdoor Adventures

Steve West and Don Hardaway stand above a dead bear on Steve's Outdoor Adventures

Two hunters shoot at an elephant during one episode of the show Tracks Across Africa

Two hunters shoot at an elephant during one episode of the show Tracks Across Africa

Hunters smile as they stand over the carcass of an elk on Steve's Outdoor Adventures

Hunters smile as they stand over the carcass of an elk on Steve's Outdoor Adventures

Kroenke has been the majority shareholder at the Emirates club since 2011 when he purchased the stakes of Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Danny Fiszmann to take his share of ownership to 62.89%.  

His portfolio of sports franchises also includes the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and MLS outfit the Colorado Rapids - he is worth an estimated £5.7billion.

The businessman has faced stern criticism from some sections of Arsenal supporters in the past who have repeatedly called for him to sell his shares at the club over a perceived lack of ambition. 

Arsenal clinched the Emirates Cup on Sunday afternoon, finishing top of the four-team pre-season tournament on goals scored despite a 2-1 loss to Sevilla. 

ITV journalist Robert Peston slammed the Arsenal owner saying he 'felt sick' over the channel

ITV journalist Robert Peston slammed the Arsenal owner saying he 'felt sick' over the channel

Piers Morgan responded to a tweet from Kevin Pietersen criticising Arsenal owner Kroenke

Piers Morgan responded to a tweet from Kevin Pietersen criticising Arsenal owner Kroenke

Sections of Arsenal supporters have launched protests calling for Kroenke to sell his shares

Sections of Arsenal supporters have launched protests calling for Kroenke to sell his shares