Channel 4 is to go head-to-head with the BBC and ITV for the new Premiership TV contract, according to the Sunday Times.
The broadcaster is likely to be bidding for one of the two highlights packages on offer in the new deal, which will kick in for the 2004-05 season. The move will put pressure on ITV and the BBC, who had expected to be the only ones fighting it out for the rights, currently held by ITV.
Another possibility is that C4 has teamed up with Sky and made a joint bid for one of three live rights packages. The pair are already partners in a three-year deal to screen England Test matches and one-day international cricket highlights.
The deadline for bids and expressions of interest in any of the packages closed at 2pm on Friday (11th). By this time around 30 offers had been made, each of which will be examined in depth by Premier League executives over the coming week.
The broadcaster is likely to be bidding for one of the two highlights packages on offer in the new deal, which will kick in for the 2004-05 season. The move will put pressure on ITV and the BBC, who had expected to be the only ones fighting it out for the rights, currently held by ITV.
Another possibility is that C4 has teamed up with Sky and made a joint bid for one of three live rights packages. The pair are already partners in a three-year deal to screen England Test matches and one-day international cricket highlights.
The deadline for bids and expressions of interest in any of the packages closed at 2pm on Friday (11th). By this time around 30 offers had been made, each of which will be examined in depth by Premier League executives over the coming week.
