Mirror to run Rangers TV

GLASGOW RANGERS football club has joined forces with Mirror Group to set up a television joint venture, the Scottish League leaders announced yesterday.

The company, which will be based at Ibrox, will provide match-day television at Ibrox, organise screening of away matches, re-launch Rangers' web- sites and develop electronic commerce opportunities.

The new venture is in talks with several broadcasters about developing a Rangers Club TV show. The venture follows soon after Mirror Group's Live TV agreed last year to supply a local TV fanzine for Heart of Midlothian - Rangers' Edinburgh rivals.

"As the rights become available, the joint venture will start to exploit webcasting, Internet, radio and e-business opportunities," Mirror Group said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman insisted the company had not received any firm takeover offers from venture capital groups.

Press reports had suggested that a number of private equity providers had approached Mirror Group with a view to taking the company, whose interests include the Mirror, Sunday People and Birmingham Post, private. Mirror shares rose 10p to close at 159.5p.