New Cable broadcaster plans PL rights bid

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The new cable broadcaster formed out of the recent merger between NTL and Telewest, is planning a GBP 200m a year bid for Premier League rights. The move, dependent on a European Commission ruling that no single broadcaster can bid for more than 50 per cent of the games, would see fans offered subscription packages for as little as GBP 10 a month.

In 2003 Sky paid GBP 1.02bn for an exclusive three-year deal to televise all live Premier League matches. Simon Duffy, the new cable company's chief executive-in-waiting, said to the Guardian newspaper that Sky had underpaid for football rights and a fairer auction would generate more cash for clubs and better value for supporters.