BBC Sport is unlocking the potential of a valuable asset, by expanding access to its extensive sport library in a long term deal with PremiumTV, a wholly-owned subsidary of telecoms and media group NTL inc.

Working together, the BBC, through its commercial arm BBC Worldwide and PTV will identify and package potential programme material from the BBC archive for use by any broadcaster. The extra revenue generated will benefit licence fee payers, sport governing bodies, as well as the two parties. The BBC and PTV will share income after costs while the BBC is guaranteed a minimum sum.

The agreement will not affect existing arrangements governing access to the archive by other broadcasters and advertising agencies. In the past ITV, BSkyB and Channel 4 have bought material. There will be no preferential treatment for any party for the proposed use of the archive, either as clips or programmes.

PTV and the BBC emphasise the importance of preserving BBC Worldwide’s existing highly-valued arrangements with sports federations for distribution of their material. Working closely with the governing bodies and rights holders, the BBC will now actively seek new ways of gaining additional exposure for sports represented in the archive.

For further information, please contact

For Premium TV – Will Robson, Tel: 07050 094371

For ntl – Paula Averley, Tel: +44 1256 751570

For BBC – Mike Hales, BBC Sport Publicity, Tel: +44 181 225 9900