Virgin Media to screen Football League matches

Virgin Media has signed a partnership deal with the Coca-Cola Football League to screen matches on its mobile and broadband services.

The two-year deal – covering the Coca-Cola Championship, League 1 and League 2 – begins on August 11 in time for the new season.

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney says: “This agreement will give fans even more opportunities to see their team in action, as well as providing clubs with a new source of revenue.”

Highlights from the matches will be available to watch on-demand for up to a week.

Last week US private equity firm Carlyle approached Virgin Media about a possible £5.4bn takeover. Its offer is expected to trigger an auction with other companies.

Virgin Media was formed in 1996 by the merger of Telewest and NTL and later Virgin Mobile. The company is now a multi-platform provider offering broadband, television, home telephone and mobile services.