NTL May Be Back In Running For Premier League Pay-Per-View

NTL has refused to comment on press speculation that it is to re-enter the bidding for Premier League football pay-per-view rights. The cable group originally won the rights to screen 40 games per year for three years in the original auction in June (see How The Premier League Will Cash-In On Kick-Offs). Confidence in the financial viability of pay-per-view wavered in the following months, as the first England international broadcast as pay-per-view attracted criticism, and NTL withdrew its £328m bid in October.

Since the deal fell through, it is thought that the Premier League has been considering offers from other interested parties, which may include BSkyB, ONdigital and invesment bank Investec, which has links with Telewest. The League is now thought to be prepared to accept a lower financial guarantee with a revenue sharing deal instead of cash, and may also allow a consortium to buy the pay-per-view rights to satellite, digital terrestrial, cable and ADSL, then sell them on.

It is thought that the chairmen of the Premier League clubs will make a decision on their preferred approach during the first month of next year.

NTL: 01252 402 000 Premier League: 020 7298 1600

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