IMG in talks over Virgin sports channel

Virgin Media is reportedly talking to IMG Media regarding the launch of a sports news channel.

According to Broadcast, IMG's production arm TWI has pitched for the contract, along with news broadcaster ITN. The negotiations are being handled by Reel Enterprises, a company specialising in rights management and channel development.

TWI, the makers of long-running Channel 4 programme, TransWorld Sport, is the world's largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming.

Virgin Media is thought to still be in talks with Setanta Sports, which has previously been linked to the deal.

Insiders at the cable provider say that the channel is likely to be launched by the end of the year. It would be a replacement for Sky Sports News, which was removed from the platform as part of Virgin Media's ongoing carriage dispute with Sky.

Source: Broadcast Now