Liverpool want to go it alone on overseas TV rights deals
Wed 12th Oct 2011 | Television & Broadcasting
Liverpool FC’s managing director, Ian Ayre has admitted that Premier League clubs should be allowed to negotiate individual overseas TV rights.
In an interview with the Guardian, Ayre is quoted as saying English sides could be left behind their European rivals if they continue to be tied down to a collective agreement – the latest of which expires in 2013.
‘Is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs?’ Ayre told the newspaper.
‘What we are doing is disadvantaging ourselves against top European clubs’.
Current Premier League rules state that 14 teams would need to vote in favour of any new arrangements, and the managing director believes that Liverpool - along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - deserve to receive an increased share.
‘What is absolutely certain is that, with the greatest of respect to our colleagues in the Premier League, if you're a Bolton fan in Bolton, then you subscribe to Sky because you want to watch Bolton. Everyone gets that’, he continued.
‘Likewise, if you're a Liverpool fan from Liverpool, you subscribe. But if you're in Kuala Lumpur there isn't anyone subscribing to Astro, or ESPN, to watch Bolton, or if they are it's a very small number. Whereas the large majority are subscribing because they want to watch Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal’.
‘So is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs? Some people will say: “Well you've got to all be in it to make it happen”. But isn't it really about where the revenue is coming from, which is the broadcaster, and isn't it really about who people want to watch on that channel? We know it is us. And others’.
 |
 |
 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSCRIBE TO THE F.C. BUSINESS RSS FEED
If you have any football business related news stories you’d like to share then please contact us – agourley@fcbusiness.co.uk or ryan@fcbusiness.co.uk
Google
Yahoo
Live
del.icio
DiggRelated Articles
Manchester Derby Attracts Record TV Viewer Figures
Wed 2nd May 2012 | Television & Broadcasting
Manchester City’s defeat of Manchester United attracted a record-breaking audience of over four million viewers to UK pay-television broadcaster BSkyB, according to research by SportBusiness...
Liverpool To Star in Behind The Scenes TV Show
Thu 26th Apr 2012 | Television & Broadcasting
Fans of Liverpool FC will get a unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes with the announcement today that they have teamed up with FOX Soccer to participate in a groundbreaking new...
talkSPORT Secures Global Premier League Audio Rights
Tue 17th Apr 2012 | Television & Broadcasting
talkSPORT has agreed a deal with the Premier League for an exclusive package of international audio broadcasting rights for the next four football seasons. The deal will see talkSPORT become a global...
Pub landlady Karen Murphy wins TV football court case
Fri 24th Feb 2012 | Television & Broadcasting
Pub landlady Karen Murphy has won her court fight with the English Premier League over using a Greek TV decoder to screen games. Karen Murphy has paid nearly £8,000 in fines and costs for using...
