ITV Sport going off air

The ITV Sport channel is to stop broadcasting on May 11 as part of the fallout from the ITV Digital collapse.

Channel bosses are now discussing employment options with the 44-strong workforce to work out their futures.

ITV Sport has continued to broadcast as it did not go into administration with ITV Digital, but rights for Football League games run out on that date.

Other sports which are currently screened by the digital channel are expected to be transferred to ITV2. The next payment for rights to the League matches of £80 (€128m) would have been due in August.

It was the £315m (€504m) deal for Football League games which financially crippled the ITV digital venture and forced it into administration. Subscription channels on ITV Digital went off air this week as the company handed over its licences. Free to air services will continue to be seen through set-top boxes into the near future.

The chief executive of ITV, Stuart Prebble, announced on Thursday he is quitting his position in the wake of the digital disaster.

Champions League games, the Rugby World Cup and Tour De France coverage are expected to go to the digital channel ITV2.

A spokesman for ITV said: "It means that instead of just 200,000 subscribers seeing these sports, they will be available to seven million homes which have access to digital TV."

A statement from ITV tonight said: "Consultation between the ITV Sport Channel and representatives of the channel's 44-strong workforce started this week. The company will meet all employees on a one-to-one basis from next week.

"All other employment opportunities within associated companies will be fully explored as part of the consultation process."