Possibility of 'near live' football offer for pubs

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Licensees could be allowed to screen "near live" games in their pubs next year.

Licensees will not benefit from the break-up of live Premiership football rights next year but could be allowed to screen "near live" games in their pubs.

A deal between BT Vision and pay channel Setanta will give domestic viewers an alternative to Sky for some Premiership games next season - but as reported earlier by morningadvertiser.co.uk - the deal does not include commercial rights.

However, a spokesman for BT Vision has told the MA that although they have no plans "at present" they have not ruled out the possibility of offering pubs the chance to view the 242 "near live" matches they have secured just "a few hours" after the final whistle.

We have no plans, at present, to offer the near live matches for viewing in pubs.BT spokesman.

If the package is offered, licensees could screen Saturday afternoon's top games from 8pm on Saturday night.

BT spokesman Adam Liversage said: "The BT Vision service is only provided for home use and the terms of the contract do not permit BT content to be screened in public.

"Our arrangement with Setanta to show live football games does not include the rights to show them in pubs."

He added: "We have no plans, at present, to offer the near live matches for viewing in pubs."

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