The BBC has paid £105m for a package of football highlights that will see 'Match of the Day' back on screens on Saturday nights, as well as a repeat and a second show on Sundays.
Now reports say that a new package is being offering that will allow a broadcaster to show one of the Premiership matches not screened live by BSkyB. The broadcaster will be allowed to show the programme after 8.30pm on a Saturday -- two hours before the BBC will screen 'Match of the Day'.
Telewest and ITV, which has had a disaster with its Des Lynam-fronted show 'The Premiership', are both reported to have put in bids for the package. ITV is likely to show the programme on digital channel ITV2 should it win.
The broadcaster that wins the new rights package will also be able to show matches after 10pm on Saturdays, and eight hours after a match finishes it will be allowed to show highlights. However, the tender document also says that the winner will be required to show all 242 matches to which it has rights.
A second round of bidding is due to end on September 5, with the Premier League hoping to make as much as £40m from the sale.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
_1.jpg)
.jpg)
