BBC gazumped by 3 footie clips

UK mobile phone newcomer 3 is claiming to have got one over on the BBC by securing rights to screen highlights of Premiership matches several hours before they air on Match of the Day.

Customers of 3 will be able to watch match highlights on their mobile phones within about 20 minutes of matches finishing on a Saturday and within five minutes after the final whistle of Premiership and Champions League games on other days.

The BBC's Match Of The Day isn't scheduled to begin until much later in the evening, giving 3 the opportunity to pitch its high-speed mobile service at footie fans who want to see the day's action as soon as possible and are even prepared to do so on the less user-friendly form factor of a mobile phone screen.

Gareth Jones, 3's COO, said: "We are delighted that our customers won't have to wait until 22:30 to see the goals on TV. The new highlights package demonstrates our commitment to offering our customers the best mobile sports service in the UK."

However, the BBC may not be overly worried about the return of its flagship sports show being overshadowed by the loss-making 3 which is still to win hearts and minds - or serious market share - among mobile phone users in the UK.