BSkyB Allows Terrestrial Channel To Show England Match

BSkyB has agreed to allow a terrestrial channel to show a delayed transmission of England’s vital European 2004 qualifier against Turkey next month.

The satellite broadcaster is understood to have said it will listen to “any reasonable offer” from the BBC, ITV, or Channel Five, following a plea from the Government’s Sports Minister, Richard Caborn.

BSkyB is believed to have paid £3 million for the exclusive rights to the final match in the European Championship qualifying group on 11 October. However, the new arrangement will allow a terrestrial broadcaster to screen the match either from the final whistle, or with only a 45-minute delay.

Reports suggest that BBC is the most likely channel to take up the package given that ITV is screening the opening of the rugby union World Cup on the same day.

Caborn told the Press Association: “We are very grateful to Sky for considering our request and I hope a commercial deal can now be done. However, this should not be seen as a precedent – it is a one-off for a particularly sensitive match.”

The announcement came as the English and Turkish football associations attended UEFA meeting in Switzerland over security concerns surrounding the match.

International football is a proven ratings winner and almost 11 million viewers tuned in to BBC1 earlier this month to watch England’s 2-0 defeat of Liechtenstein (see BBC Scores With Football Coverage). Prior to this England’s 2:1 win over Slovakia attracted an audience of more than 8.5 million and secured a massive 42% share of viewing for BBC1 (see England Victory Draws More Than 8.5 Million To BBC1).

The European Commission is expected to register its disapproval at the way BSkyB was able to secure all four rights packages in the recent auction of live Premiership football matches (see EC Stance Threatens BSkyB Football Deal).

BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com

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