Monday 19th June 2000 : U's cash boost as clubs land TV rights windfall

Cambridge United will soon be several hundred thousand pounds a year better off after the Football League agreed new television and Internet deals.

Digital channel ONDigital and ITV agreed a three year deal with the Football League on Friday, which is worth £315m and commences with the 2001-2002 season. While Division One clubs will receive the lion's share with £3.3m each for the duration of the deal, the U's and other Division Two clubs will each receive £600,000 per season and Division Three clubs will collect £396,000. For Cambridge United this is an increase of £280,000 over the current TV income which is worth around £320,000 per annum.

Extra revenue will be generated by the proceeds of pay-per-view, as games will be available on subscription, free-to-air and pay-per-view. ONDigital will show a minimum of 88 games from all three divisions and the Worthington Cup on pay television, while ITV regions will broadcast 15 regional matches. The ITV national network will show the Worthington Cup final and the First Division play-off final.

Football League commercial director Brian Phillpotts said, "This is a valuable deal which is worth four times more than our last broadcasting contract. We will be able to build the Football League brand through great exposure on television. This deal further bridges the gap between the Football League and the Premiership.

"We were impressed by ONdigital's coverage of sport, particularly with what they have achieved with the Champions League. I am delighted that Football League matches will be back in a live format on terrestrial television and that the regionality of the ITV network will help to achieve that."

In addition, the Football League have agreed a £65m, five-year deal with cable television company ntl to provide an internet portal site for all 72 Nationwide League clubs.