Football League Could Sign Highlights Deal With ITV

The Football League is reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Carlton and Granada to broadcast highlights of Nationwide League football matches on ITV.

A report in today’s Times suggests that the League is holding talks with the ITV partners, which look set to win the rights despite their recent court battle over the collapse of ITV Digital (see League Loses ITV Digital Battle).

The closure of the pay-TV platform is estimated to have cost the Football League’s 72 clubs around £178m in TV revenue. Both the League’s chairman, Keith Harris and chief executive, David Burns have resigned following the High Court’s decision in favour of Carlton and Granada (see League Bosses Pay The Price For ITV Digital Defeat). However, it is understood that the League’s priority is to get the best deal possible to improve its financial position.

It is thought that Channel 5 and the BBC have also expressed an interest in the rights, which are estimated to be worth around £2m a year.

Football League: 0870 4420 1888 www.football-league.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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