The future of ITV Digital and Britain's lower league football clubs were today hanging in the balance after the broadcaster was put into administration.

ITV Digital had hoped to strike a last-minute deal with the Football League allowing it to renegotiate the terms of a £315 million contract the firm says it cannot afford.

But those talks broke down and the High Court granted an administration order after an approach by the broadcaster's board yesterday.

Politicians and union leaders said the Football League was facing "crisis" and potentially a "doomsday" scenario.

The broadcaster owes £178 million under the deal signed with football chiefs to allow it to screen Nationwide League and Worthington Cup matches.

But talks broke down as the broadcaster, hit by low audiences and falling advertising, said it could afford to pay only £50 million.

ITV Digital's owners Granada and Carlton are pumping in enough cash to ensure subscribers continue to receive programmes through their set-top boxes.

But analysts in the City said the move into administration meant it was clear there could be little left over for the nation's smaller football clubs.

Former sports minister Tony Banks warned that league football was now facing the "greatest crisis" in its history.

And Gordon Taylor, the football players' union chief, said failure to reach an agreement could lead to a doomsday scenario.

The Football League has threatened to sue the broadcaster and its two owners for £500 million if they do not meet the original terms of the deal.

The High Court administration order lasts for six months, but the case is due to return to court on April 15.

ITV Digital had hoped its deal with the Football League would help it compete with satellite rival BSkyB for digital TV subscribers.

But the economic downturn has squeezed funding available from its owners and lower audience figures turned away potential advertisers.

An ITV Digital spokeswoman said the administration would protect the company while vital cost-cutting work was carried out.

Rebecca Allen, media analyst at JP Morgan, said the move into administration would increase the broadcaster's bargaining power in talks with the Football League.

She said: "This is a threat to the Football League. They are saying, 'We are very, very serious indeed that we will close unless you renegotiate this contract'."