TV
New "near-live" Premiership package planned
Published Thursday, Aug 28 2003, 10:57 BST | By Neil Wilkes
A new package of "near-live" rights could undermine the BBC's victory in securing Premiership highlights.
The deal, being offered to the corporation's rival broadcasters, will allow the winner to screen one game not showed by Sky "as live" after 8.30pm on Saturdays. The channel would then be allowed to show extended 45-minute highlights from the other games after 10pm on Saturday.
The BBC recently said it would return Match of the Day to its traditional Saturday night slot with a repeat on Sunday mornings.
According to the Media Guardian, however, the winner of the "near live" package would have to screen all 242 league games, which could place a strain on terrestrial broadcasters. The website reports that Sky is considering a "knockout bid" to secure the deal, although cable operator Telewest and ITV are also said to be strongly interested.
The closing date for bids is September 5.
The deal, being offered to the corporation's rival broadcasters, will allow the winner to screen one game not showed by Sky "as live" after 8.30pm on Saturdays. The channel would then be allowed to show extended 45-minute highlights from the other games after 10pm on Saturday.
The BBC recently said it would return Match of the Day to its traditional Saturday night slot with a repeat on Sunday mornings.
According to the Media Guardian, however, the winner of the "near live" package would have to screen all 242 league games, which could place a strain on terrestrial broadcasters. The website reports that Sky is considering a "knockout bid" to secure the deal, although cable operator Telewest and ITV are also said to be strongly interested.
The closing date for bids is September 5.
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