Canal Plus Belgium, having carried 43 live games each season for the past six years, is co-ordinating what amounts to an all-encompassing bid between pay-TV and terrestrial broadcasters. Specifically, Canal Plus together with French speaking free-to-air service RTBF and Flemish language VTM, have offered the 18 Pro Ligue clubs $65million (EUR74.02m) over five years.
The offer, effective from the start of the 2002/3 season, was unanimously rejected by the clubs which, collectively, believe that the triumvirate of broadcasters are underestimating their competition.
Given the current economic climate of falling advertising revenue, the broadcasters - led by Pierre Maes of Canal Plus - believe their bid is economically sound and, at this time, have indicated the possibility that they will manage without football in the future if the Pro Ligue maintains its stance.
Should an accord be reached - the clubs appear ready to accept the amount of $65m but over a three rather than five-year term - Canal Plus would continue to carry live coverage with VRT and RTBF offering delayed terrestrial highlights to their respective language viewers plus news access.
The existing agreements (1996/7-2001/2)commit Canal Plus to paying $5m (EUR5.69m) a year for live rights with each of RTBF and VTM paying $3m (EUR3.42m) a season for delayed highlights - an amount that includes Belgium Cup access and the home games of the national team.
Canal Plus, Europe's largest pay-TV operator, has yet to find an agreement with the Pro Ligue for a new contract.
