Premier League Internet Broadcast Rights Attract Multiple Bids

It is thought that more than a dozen bids could be in place for the internet broadcasting rights package of Premier League football. Names touted include large online media owners such as TrinityMirror and BT. Also thought to be in the running are Sportal.com, in which BSkyB has a 5.4% stake (see Sky Furthers Net Investments), Sports Internet, which BSkyB acquired last month (see BSkyB Signs Sports Internet Deal As Digital Expansion Takes Its Toll) and which also produces sites for 12 Premier League clubs, and Soccernet, which is owned by ESPN.

The rights package would allow the winning company to screen Premiership highlights two days after they are first screened on TV. It is anticipated that progress in broadband technology means that in future footage could be of broadcast quality.

The winner and the Premiership would form a partnership for the construction of a portal which would show highlights of the previous weekend’s matches. The internet broadcast rights will also allow individual clubs to show match highlights on their own websites.

Premier League bosses are due to meet today to make further decisions on the next stage of auctioning all 18 rights packages (see Broadcasters Need More Than Money To Win Premier League Rights). The next round may be conducted either via sealed bids or an open auction.

Premier League: 020 7262 4542