Statement re Press Release

SMG PLC
15 April 2002



SMG Television Release re. ITV Digital and the English Football League

The following press release is being issued today (15 April, 2002) by the
Television Division of SMG plc.



SMG Television Announcement re. ITV Digital/English Football League

Following recent press reports regarding the English Football League and ITV
Digital, SMG Television wishes to clarify its position in this matter.

SMG Television owns Scottish TV and Grampian TV which are the ITV franchises
serving most of Scotland. They have a binding contract with ITV Network Centre,
and all other ITV licensees, which excludes them from any obligations to make
financial contributions to the rights for 'non-Scottish' sporting events which
they choose not to broadcast. As a result, SMG's franchises do not broadcast any
Nationwide League or Worthington Cup football matches, nor do they contribute to
the cost of the broadcast rights to these matches. As such, SMG Television is
confident that it has no liabilities in this matter.



Notes to Editors:

ITV comprises 15 regional franchises


SMG owns two ITV regional franchises - Scottish TV and Grampian TV - which
represent approximately 6% of the ITV Network


ITV is a federal network of licences which combine to form ITV Network Ltd to
acquire television programmes and other related services


ITV Network Ltd contracts for programming and other services as a principal


ITV Network Ltd is separate from ITV Digital, which is owned wholly and jointly
by Carlton and Granada


SMG has no involvement in ITV Digital



Press enquiries:

Donald Emslie, Chief Executive, SMG Television

Tel: [phone]



Further information:

Callum Spreng, Corporate Affairs Director, SMG plc

Tel: [phone]






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