Premier League kicks out Sky's pay-per-view plan
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Your support makes all the difference.PREMIER League club chairmen yesterday rejected proposals to introduce pay-per-view football coverage on Sky Television's digital service next season, sparking speculation that clubs may launch their own channels.
The clubs' decision is a huge blow to Sky's fledgling digitaltelevision service, due to launch next month. Rupert Murdoch's satellite broadcaster would have used pay-per-view (PPV) soccer to drive sales of the pounds 200 decoder boxes needed to receive the 200-plus digital channels.
Fans who objected to the proposals remain doubtful about the league's intentions; both Manchester United and Middlesbrough Football Clubs are well advanced on plans to launch their own subscription channels.
The proposals put to the club chairmen yesterday came from a working party formed in March to develop options with Sky for the introduction of PPV. The plan was to move four Saturday games to Sunday so that three games could be broadcast on a PPV basis. Fans objected to the move, because of the difficulties involved in travelling to games on a Sunday. Opposition from the Football Supporters' Association also focused on the cost of PPV, which would disenfranchise fans on low incomes.
Peter Leaver, the Premier League chief executive, said in a statement yesterday: "Premier League clubs have decided not to proceed with proposals that have been put forward in relation to pay-per-view television."
However, he did not rule out PPV in the future, describing the league as "determined ... to act in the best interests of the game and its supporters".
Mr Leaver is reported to be against a PPV deal with Sky in favour of the Premier League having its own channels. Theclubs have become increasingly aware of the value of television rights and may be keen to hold off on PPV until they are in a position themselves to cash in. Mr Leaver left the possibilities open yesterday, saying: "We want to develop broadcasting arrangements which ... secure the right future for English football."
A spokesman for the Football Supporters' Association expressed caution on hearing the League's decision. He said on Radio 5 Live: "I'm surprised. I wonder if they have something up their sleeves."
Sky is unlikely to give up easily. As part of the league's contract with the channel, the two are committed to developing PPV together until 2001, although Sky cannot go ahead without the clubs' agreement.
Vic Wakeling, head of sport at Sky, said yesterday that he was not disappointed with the decision. "The proposals were never going to be agreed today - there are still too many details to be discussed," he said.
A Sky spokesman added that the working party is expected to reconvene next week.
Meanwhile, the Premier League confirmed it has extended BBC Radio 5 Live's exclusive contract for live radio coverage of league games until 2001.
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