Lindsay Charlton, managing director of Meridian, who is spearheading the expansion of the service, has revealed the proposals some four years after the controversial collapse of ITV Digital.
Charlton told guests at a panel discussing the potential of so-called internet protocol television (IPTV) that carrying Football League action was being discussed. Charlton has confirmed to Media Week that sport is a key part of its plans for a UK-wide regional network.
ITV recently signed a three-year extension to its deal to show highlights of the League and Carling Cup matches.
It wants viewers to watch extended highlights or even live coverage of their local clubs on broadband. It is thought ITV also plans to roll out coverage of Carling Cup action and non-league clubs.
Charlton believes the relationship at grassroots level between clubs and ITV's regional businesses had survived and was now "as strong as ever".
However, this raises the question of rights for online distribution and whether the matches can be shown live, which is one of the web's key advantages.
The broadcaster is planning to run local 30-second spot-style ads in its sports coverage. Charlton said ad-funded programming will also be key.
Charlton told guests at a panel discussing the potential of so-called internet protocol television (IPTV) that carrying Football League action was being discussed. Charlton has confirmed to Media Week that sport is a key part of its plans for a UK-wide regional network.
ITV recently signed a three-year extension to its deal to show highlights of the League and Carling Cup matches.
It wants viewers to watch extended highlights or even live coverage of their local clubs on broadband. It is thought ITV also plans to roll out coverage of Carling Cup action and non-league clubs.
Charlton believes the relationship at grassroots level between clubs and ITV's regional businesses had survived and was now "as strong as ever".
However, this raises the question of rights for online distribution and whether the matches can be shown live, which is one of the web's key advantages.
The broadcaster is planning to run local 30-second spot-style ads in its sports coverage. Charlton said ad-funded programming will also be key.
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