The 72 Football League clubs argue the media companies owe the money after signing a three-year, £315m deal to show the league's matches on ITV Digital. It says that it desperately needs the money in order to ensure the survival of many of its members, which lack the riches of Premier League clubs.
Carlton and Granada are denying that they gave guarantees for ITV Digital, which collapsed in April. Both companies have said that they are not making provision for a payout.
The Football League says it has been hoping to settle the case out of court, but Carlton and Granada have not responded. On July 10, it started to picket Carlton and Granada's offices, although it appeared that members of the media outnumbered the protesters.
The league is claiming as much as £500m in all, including the £178.5m.
Since the collapse of ITV Digital, BSkyB has bought the rights to show the league's matches in a £95m, four-year deal.
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