Pub TV footy deal turn-off

Sep 16 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PUB landlords have been left fuming after forking out thousands of pounds for non-existent coverage of Europe’s top football matches.

Now it has emerged the satellite company they signed up with is facing court action from the Premier League.

The Rose and Crown, at Northgate, Almondbury, and the Waterloo Tavern, at Wakefield Road, Waterloo, both took out three-year contracts with QC Leisure to show live English Premier League and European football.

They agreed to shell out more than £200 a month to the company, based in the north east, for satellite equipment and access to sports coverage.

Richard Howe, at the Rose and Crown, and Phil Bradshaw at The Waterloo, were happy enough with the service for the first few months.

But both lost signals early this year and have not had any coverage since.

Mr Howe, 32, said: “It’s difficult enough surviving from day-to-day without this kind of thing.”

Mr Bradshaw, 56, said: “It has been a nightmare, especially in the present climate in the pub trade. We could do without the extra trouble.”