Sharewatch: BSkyB Falls Ahead Of Football Rights Decision

BSkyB was seen in the spotlight ahead of today’s expected decision over the Premier League’s football rights package. It is understood that the satellite broadcaster is offering a lump sum for the bulk of rights, which is thought to include separate offers for individual packages and a substantial bid for the entire bundle based on exclusivity.

However, BSkyB could be scuppered by the European Commission, which has warned that it may force the League to auction off its football rights packages individually to prevent a monopoly (see BSkyB Could Face Red Card Over Premiership Rights Bid).

Elsewhere, Reed was seen in focus, up 2.77% after revealing that profits inched up in the last quarter (see Reed On Target As Profits Rise In H1).

Broader market sentiment remained down beat despite unexpectedly strong data on the troubled US job market.

The closing prices of media company shares on Thursday were: