NTL has made the highest bid for the broadcasting rights to live Premier League matches, according to recent press reports. The cable giant is said to have bid £1.75bn for the games, a higher price than those put forward by its rivals BSkyB and ONdigital.
A report in the Sunday Business this weekend claimed that NTL has put forward an offer for the double package of 66 live football matches and 40 pay-per-view games for the new contract, which begins in August 2001. This is believed to be £250m higher than bids from other broadcasters.
It has been speculated that NTL is attempting to drive up the price of the package to force Sky, which has owned the live rights for the past four years, to drain its resources in order to match the bidding price. NTL would then be in a better position to bid for the next contract, having had time to develop its production and programme-making skills.
There was no-one available for comment when called by Newsline today.
NTL: 01252 402 000
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