League won't shift on £315m TV deal

The record-breaking £315 million television deal between the Football League and ITV Digital is not up for renegotiation, league chairman Keith Harris said today.

The struggling broadcaster, owned by Granada and Carlton, wants to tear up its three-year contract with the Nationwide League in a move which would have far-reaching effects for the relationship between football and TV.

But Harris, who was at the Worthington Cup Final in Cardiff yesterday, said he and the 72 clubs he represents are in no mood to compromise.

"It is not up for renegotiation, pure and simple," he said. "We have not had any approach from ITV Digital about renegotiating and we don't expect one.

"If we do our position is clear. It is a contract and will remain as such."

ITV Digital is reported to be threatening to reduce the number of games it screens in return for a reduction in the value of the contract of as much as two-thirds. The company may even look at selling rights on to another broadcaster such as Sky or the BBC.

ITV Digital has already paid £136.5m to the League, £47.25m up front plus its yearly instalment of £89.25m. With the next £89.25m instalment due in August the pressure on the broadcaster to find a compromise will increase.

A solution to the problem could be found if digital rival Sky is given access to ITV Digital's sports content, most importantly its pay-TV Champions League coverage. At the moment, ITV Digital's 1.2m subscribers have access to Sky's sports channels but the deal is not reciprocal for Sky's 5.7m subscribers. Gaining access to that platform would allow ITV Digital to increase advertising rates and income.

But there is no sign of a deal. Last month Sky accused ITV Digital of refusing to negotiate to solve the problem.