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04/04/2002
League to talk with ITV Digital administrators
ITV Digital's administrators Deloitte & Touche have called for a meeting with league chiefs after the Nationwide League's chairman said that he was "committed to entering positive discussions".
Chairman Bill Harris went further still and described the terms of any future talks, saying that the instalment for the third and final year of the contract with ITV Digital could be up for negotiation.
"We will negotiate over the third part of the money and seek a settlement to the mutual benefit of Carlton, Granada and ourselves," said Mr Harris.
This latest move reiterates earlier statements from Nationwide League Chief Executive David Burns who suggested that the league may be prepared to wave the remaining final year payments in return for the full TV broadcast rights.
Earlier this week, Mr Burns said: "We are quite clear that we believe we should receive every penny that is owed to us. However, if they want to discuss the deal further then we will talk. But we are not prepared to renegotiate on the price of the rights for no good reason. They must either pay the full amount - or give the rights back."
The August instalment of £89.25 million, plus a 'golden goodbye' of £30 million and the full return TV rights could yet be enough to satisfy league bosses.
For their part, administrators Deloitte & Touche will be keen to progress the matter before reporting back to the High Court on April 15. However, the Nationwide League has stressed that the failure of talks will lead to league chiefs issuing a £500 million suit against the owners of ITV Digital – Carlton and Granada.
Elsewhere, the dispute has now developed to such an extent that the NUJ has felt compelled to write to league chiefs to plea for the safety of journalists and camera crews working for ITV.
NUJ Broadcasting Organiser, Paul McLaughlin, wrote to league Chief Executive David Burns urging clubs to communicate to fans “either through public statements or match programmes that [NUJ] members are also victims of this situation and only seek to promote the best interests of football as they carry out their jobs as professionals during this difficult time”.
The call was made after some football bosses called for fans to protest against Granada and Carlton. So far that has meant boycotting 'Coronation Street'.
ITV Digital, www.itv-digital.co.uk
(GMcG)
Chairman Bill Harris went further still and described the terms of any future talks, saying that the instalment for the third and final year of the contract with ITV Digital could be up for negotiation.
"We will negotiate over the third part of the money and seek a settlement to the mutual benefit of Carlton, Granada and ourselves," said Mr Harris.
This latest move reiterates earlier statements from Nationwide League Chief Executive David Burns who suggested that the league may be prepared to wave the remaining final year payments in return for the full TV broadcast rights.
Earlier this week, Mr Burns said: "We are quite clear that we believe we should receive every penny that is owed to us. However, if they want to discuss the deal further then we will talk. But we are not prepared to renegotiate on the price of the rights for no good reason. They must either pay the full amount - or give the rights back."
The August instalment of £89.25 million, plus a 'golden goodbye' of £30 million and the full return TV rights could yet be enough to satisfy league bosses.
For their part, administrators Deloitte & Touche will be keen to progress the matter before reporting back to the High Court on April 15. However, the Nationwide League has stressed that the failure of talks will lead to league chiefs issuing a £500 million suit against the owners of ITV Digital – Carlton and Granada.
Elsewhere, the dispute has now developed to such an extent that the NUJ has felt compelled to write to league chiefs to plea for the safety of journalists and camera crews working for ITV.
NUJ Broadcasting Organiser, Paul McLaughlin, wrote to league Chief Executive David Burns urging clubs to communicate to fans “either through public statements or match programmes that [NUJ] members are also victims of this situation and only seek to promote the best interests of football as they carry out their jobs as professionals during this difficult time”.
The call was made after some football bosses called for fans to protest against Granada and Carlton. So far that has meant boycotting 'Coronation Street'.
ITV Digital, www.itv-digital.co.uk
(GMcG)
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25 March 2002
Is ITV Digital's £50m football offer an own goal?
ITV Digital's board was due to meet on Monday to discuss the possible risk of a £500 million legal action by the Football League if the digital broadcaster pulls the plug on televising Football League matches.
Is ITV Digital's £50m football offer an own goal?
ITV Digital's board was due to meet on Monday to discuss the possible risk of a £500 million legal action by the Football League if the digital broadcaster pulls the plug on televising Football League matches.
28 March 2002
Troubled ITV Digital goes into administration
An administration order made by Carlton Communications and Granada in relation to ITV Digital has been granted by the High Court in London. Not only does the judgment throw a shadow of the future ITV Digital, but the future of the government's 'Digital Britain' policy and the financial health of many Nationwide League clubs is also in doubt.
Troubled ITV Digital goes into administration
An administration order made by Carlton Communications and Granada in relation to ITV Digital has been granted by the High Court in London. Not only does the judgment throw a shadow of the future ITV Digital, but the future of the government's 'Digital Britain' policy and the financial health of many Nationwide League clubs is also in doubt.
23 April 2002
ITV Digital's administrators discuss sale with ITC
Administrators have confirmed that talks on the sale of ITV Digital's licence to broadcast are ongoing with industry regulators the ITC. With ITV Digital in the hands of administrators, accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche, the future for the firm looks bleak.
ITV Digital's administrators discuss sale with ITC
Administrators have confirmed that talks on the sale of ITV Digital's licence to broadcast are ongoing with industry regulators the ITC. With ITV Digital in the hands of administrators, accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche, the future for the firm looks bleak.
28 November 2001
Granada profits fall due to advertising revenue drop
Granada’s profits have dropped sharply due to a slump in advertising revenues. The company’s profits before taxes during the year to September fell by 27 per cent to £236 million, while losses at ITV Digital soared by 26 per cent to £234 million.
Granada profits fall due to advertising revenue drop
Granada’s profits have dropped sharply due to a slump in advertising revenues. The company’s profits before taxes during the year to September fell by 27 per cent to £236 million, while losses at ITV Digital soared by 26 per cent to £234 million.
01 May 2002
ITV Digital loses fight for life
The long-expected demise of ITV Digital finally came about this morning as administrators decided they had no option but to break the company up and sell it off piecemeal.
ITV Digital loses fight for life
The long-expected demise of ITV Digital finally came about this morning as administrators decided they had no option but to break the company up and sell it off piecemeal.
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