Broadcasters Welcome Court’s Decision On Premiership Football Rights

Sky has this afternoon said that it is delighted with the Restrictive Practices Court’s decision not to alter the way Premier League football TV rights are sold (see Premier League TV Rights Given All-Clear By Court). The Court rejected the claim from the OFT that BSkyB’s exclusive agreement with the Premier League is essentially against the public interest.

Commenting on the decision, BSkyB managing director, Tony Ball, says: “We are delighted by this outcome. Sky has always felt that the OFT has misunderstood the UK broadcasting market and Sky’s role in it… today’s judgement vindicates Sky’s position. We are also pleased that the Court has confirmed that the Premier League Clubs can continue to sell the TV rights to their championship collectively in the future. We look forward to the chance to work together successfully with the Premier League in future seasons.”

ITV has also welcomed the decision, despite the fact that the Network currently holds no broadcasting rights to Premiership games. A statement from ITV says that it will be “actively punching its weight in the market” and negotiating to secure rights to Premiership football in 2001, when the current contract with Sky and the BBC expires.

ITV currently broadcasts games from the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Worthington Cup. “We intend to pursue Premiership rights very rigorously in order to round off our portfolio,” says the Network.

BSkyB: 0171 705 3000 ITV Network Centre: 0171 843 8000