NTL Signs Deal With Middlesborough

NTL has today signed a deal with Middlesborough football club which will see the cable group receiving a 5.6% stake in the team. NTL said that its Premium TV subsidiary would act as media agent for the team for all rights excluding those negotiated by the Premier League. It will operate any Middlesborough channel, internet and e-commerce services associated with the club.

NTL already has stakes in two other football clubs: it signed a media partnership with Aston Villa earlier this year (see NTL Announces Media Partnership With Aston Villa) and a similar deal with Newcastle United (see NTL Unveils Media Partnership With Newcastle United) at the end of last year.

Geoffrey Hamilton-Fairley, managing director of Premium TV, said: “This strategic alliance is good news for the club and its fans. NTL and Middlesborough will combine their strengths to get the best return for the club from sponsorship, advertising and media rights. This is also about harnessing all media opportunities including e-commerce and the internet, which is going to be an increasingly important medium in football.”

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