Premiership under pressure over TV rights

THE English Premier League yesterday came under new pressure over the sale of exclusive broadcasting rights after UEFA reached a deal with the European Commission.

European football’s governing body has agreed new terms with Brussels over the joint selling of the Champions League, allowing more matches to be shown live and giving individual clubs more control over selling rights. Now the Commission says the deal should serve as a template for the Premier League, still in negotiations over limited coverage.

The League has attempted to respond to Commission pressure to open up the market by offering three different packages of games to broadcasters although BSkyB could still maintain their exclusive access by buying all three. The Commission is resolved to break up arrangements under which only big media groups can afford to buy the “bundle of rights” on offer, shutting out would-be rivals and forcing up prices.