MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider BSkyB and News Corp are said to be looking at being involved in a new cycling series.

Teams that take part in the Tour de France would be involved in this new series.

BSkyB finances the cycling team, Team Sky. Media reports have speculated that BSkyB and News Corp might take a stake in the series.

The ?breakaway? series was first proposed over a year ago. UCI was firmly opposed to it as it feared that the appeal of some of the existing races would be affected. However subsequently Lance Armstrong admitted to doping which tarnished the image of the Tour de France and weakened UCI which has come under some fire.

Races will be held globally if the series takes flight. The aim would be to broaden the reach and appeal of the sport which is trying to recover from the Armstrong debacle.

MUMBAI: After snapping up the lucrative English Premier League (EPL) broadcast rights in UK, BSkyB and BT have been awarded seven packages of live audio-visual rights for transmission in Ireland for three years till 2016.

The seven packages ? five of 26 matches and two of 12 matches ? totalling 154 matches were awarded on the following basis:

a) BSkyB has secured packages B, C, D, E and F, totalling 116 matches

b) BT has secured packages A and G, totalling 38 matches.

"We are extremely pleased that BSkyB and BT have invested in our live rights in the Republic of Ireland," said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore. "We look forward to working with them and are confident they will broadcast the Barclays Premier League in a comprehensive and innovative manner that will showcase the competition to our many fans across Ireland."

Sky Sports MD Barney Francis said, "These rights mean that Sky Sports remains the home of the Barclays Premier League in Ireland. With more live matches than ever before, our Irish viewers can enjoy an unrivalled choice of the biggest and best games across Saturday evenings, Sunday afternoons and Monday nights.

"Sky Sports Irish viewers can enjoy Premier League football in HD, 3D and online as well as across mobile and tablet devices. Combined with our already unrivalled portfolio of sports, there has never been a better time to subscribe to Sky Sports in Ireland."

BT Chief Executive of TV Marc Watson said, "We are delighted that we?ll be able to offer viewers in the Republic of Ireland the same fantastic live games from the Barclays English Premier League that we?ll be offering in the UK. We?ve secured 38 live matches and 18 of them are the ?first pick? top-quality matches."

MUMBAI: BSkyB has been awarded the UK Long-Form Linear broadcast rights for 226 Barclays Premier League matches per season for seasons 2013-16.

The UK Long-Form Linear Package comprises the rights to make available delayed long-form coverage of 226 Barclays Premier League matches per season.

"We are extremely pleased that BSkyB has again chosen to invest in our UK Long-Form linear broadcast rights," said Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore. "These rights make available delayed long-form coverage of all Barclays Premier League matches not broadcast live and are an important part of our overall rights offering.

"Sky Sports has, for several seasons, used them to great effect with the successful ?Football First? programme that will continue to make available the best Barclays Premier League action to fans across the country."

Sky Sports MD Barney Francis said, "This is fantastic news for Sky Sports viewers who will continue to enjoy unrivalled coverage of the Barclays Premier League on TV and wherever they are with Sky Go.

"We?ll give fans the first chance to see extended highlights of all the matches every Saturday, as well as the key moments throughout the week. Add these rights to our 116 live matches from next season, which include MNF and Super Sunday double-headers, and Sky Sports truly remains the home of the Barclays Premier League."

The Premier League has also awarded the UK Near-Live clip rights to News International for all 380 Barclays Premier League matches a season for seasons 2013-16.

The UK Near-Live Clips Package comprises rights to make available audiovisual clips of all 380 Barclays Premier League matches on the internet and on mobile devices. The package includes the rights to broadcast in-game clips for all matches other than 3 pm Saturday kick-offs and extended clips of all matches on a Monday morning following a weekend match round.

MUMBAI: Manchester United has taken complete ownership of its in-house television channel Manchester United Television (MUTV) by acquiring the one-third minority equity stake held by BskyB (Sky).

MUTV is now a wholly owned group subsidiary.

As part of the club?s long-term digital media plans, Manchester United has made the strategic acquisition of Sky?s stake in MUTV in order to own 100 per cent of the content production and distribution capabilities of this business.

MUTV was launched in 1998 as a three-way joint venture, with UK broadcasters ITV and Sky as equal partners. Since then, MUTV has developed considerable in-house expertise and Manchester United bought ITV?s one-third equity stake in November 2007.

According to the club, the latest acquisition is a natural progression and is indicative of the club?s desire to have full control of the content generating and distribution capabilities across all of its businesses.

MUTV is available in 57 countries around the world. It is accessed in the UK and Ireland by subscription on satellite and cable platforms, and in the rest of the world through a combination of subscription or as programming blocks purchased by international broadcasters.

Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold said: "The acquisition of Sky?s stake is great news for all our fans who watch us around the globe, MUTV, its staff and the club. We look forward to continuing to enhance our media proposition and distribution capabilities in the years to come, and delivering some of the best and most compelling content to our 659 million followers.