|
MUMBAI: Satellite broadcaster BSkyB and Britain's BT Group, in
a joint bid, have won the rights for the 'near-live broadcasts of
the Barclays Premiership, via a deal with the FA Premier League.
The three-year deal extends from the 2007-08 to 2009-10 seasons and
allows both parties to broadcast 242 games per season. It enables
Sky and BT to offer full delayed coverage or extended highlights of
all Barclays Premiership matches not broadcast live, after 10 pm on
match days.
BT will offer the near-live games on its BT Vision service to be
launched later this year - on a pay-per-view basis. Sky will however,
air these matches at no extra charge, as part of its standard sports
packages.
The Premier League awarded the 'live' rights for the same period
to BSkyB and Irish pay-TV broadcaster Setanta earlier this month.
Commenting on the same, Sky Sports MD Vic Wakeling said, "These
near-live rights, added to the live matches, give Sky Sports unrivalled
Premiership coverage."
"We can now promise Football First until the end of the decade
and new ways of watching games, on demand, through broadband. Sky
remains the home of football."
| 
