 "Match of the Day", the BBC's long-running football programme, was in its eighth year of terrestrial Premier League coverage and about to start a record ninth in 2000.Bidding for a further three seasons to the Premier League panel, the broadcaster went in as favourites to retain the exclusive highlights package.The contract was however awarded to rival network ITV at the last possible moment, outbidding their rivals by £60 million and securing the rights from the start of the 2001–02 league season at a reported cost of £183 million.