NTL Signs Media Deal With Rangers

Cable group NTL has signed a £31m media partnership with Rangers football club. The deal will see the Scottish team and the Premium TV subsidiary of NTL working together to maximise media and commercial rights.

NTL also revealed that it has made a similar offer to the team’s rival Celtic. Amid news reports that Celtic felt snubbed when Rangers signed up first, the cable group said that its offer to the rival Glaswegian club will remain open until the end of the year and that it will continue its support as Celtic’s main sponsor.

The deal with Rangers is structured as a £10m payment for the media rights in addition to a £21m injection into the joint venture. The two will work together on a prospective television channel for the team and operate internet and e-commerce services associated with the club.

Geoffrey Hamilton-Friday, chief executive of Premium TV, said of the deal: “NTL and Rangers 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.”

This is the second football deal signed by the cable group in as many weeks. A media agreement with Leicester City was announced last week (see NTL Buys Stake In Leicester City).

NTL: 01252 402 000