Archived News from August 2009
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TV COVERAGE LATEST - `VERY CLOSE` TO DEAL
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Conference Close To New TV Deal
2 Aug 2009 http://nonleaguefootballlive.com/pages.php?page=498 A new TV deal for the Conference is 'very close' - with at least two broadcasters fighting it out for the right to show live games next season. The league have been hunting for a new TV partner since Setanta collapsed in June. The Irish firm went bust two years into a five year, £12 million deal with the Conference, costing Blue Square Premier clubs at least £70,000 a seasib ub central funding. Step 2 sides will also miss out on £15,000 a year. Martin James of Sports 360, the Conference's official advertising agency, has spent the week locked in talks with one broadcaster and will meet another on Monday. "We're very close" said James. "It's down to a couple of interested parties and I'm at the point where I'm just waiting for someone to say yes". "If we get a deal done by Saturday then that would be a dream come true but I don't want to put a timescale on it." With two interested parties confirmed it is unlikely that both parties will match Setanta's 60 matches a season. Several other TV firms have offered highlights packages and live online streaming. NLP, 2 Aug 2009 "We're not in a position where we can force the issue. "We're not the Premier League. We can't say 'Right, this is the deadline and all offers must be in by this date'. We've had to educate these firms about the Conference and persuade them that showing live games is a viable idea. "That's what I've done and the feedback has been very positive. Now I just need one of them to take that final step." One positive for James is that the firms still in the running have been quizzing him on kick-off times and discussing the best days on which to show games. "The last thing that happens will be the deal getting signed," he added. "Everything else will have been worked out beforehand, so hopefully the fact they are asking about logistics means they have been working behind the scenes to get things in motion." |
Latest | August 2009