Celtic rightly looking after Celtic supporters…
There’s been a bit of a fuss kicked up about the Celtic v Aberdeen fixture a week on Saturday regarding it not being available to watch on television. Yes, the 3pm kick-off featuring the top two teams in the country both with one hundred percent records going head to head, should ideally be on TV. And there is no doubt that it would undoubtedly draw a big audience.
Why Sky Sports have no leeway to show another game from Celtic Park
But this game was arranged by the SPFL’s ‘super computer’ in the summer, and with it being a 3pm kick off it can’t be televised unless the time or date is shifted. Sky Sports are allowed to show four matches from each Scottish Premiership ground and they have already used up two of those slots, on flag day then in the Glasgow Derby. They will want to broadcast the next Glasgow Derby and will keep Celtic’s last home league game of the season up their sleeves for an expected trophy day.
So that’s why Sky Sports aren’t showing the Celtic v Aberdeen match on Saturday 19 October.
The Rangers v St Johnstone, 8pm kick-off had a lower than expected crowd
Apparently Premier Sports were willing to show it but only if a different time was scheduled, which would have meant it being moved forward or back, or even a different day altogether. The game at Ibrox on Sunday evening kicked off at 8pm and had a dramatic impact on the size of the crowd. The Glasgow subway closes at 6pm on Sundays so that was a problem and many fans coming from all over the country had real problems with that late Sunday night slot.
Premier Sports pay much less than Sky Sports per match shown
Celtic agreeing to something similar would have been of an inconvenience to the supporters, especially as supporters travelling from distances, with ferries and flights already booked, all for the sum of £75,000 which is what Premier Sports pay clubs per match. That for the record is much lower than Sky Sports pay per game.
Celtic quite rightly gave the subscription based sports broadcaster the message ‘thanks but no thanks’, and it’s something we, not just the Celtic supporters, but football fans in general can agree with. But of course that’s never going to be the case.
Traditional Saturday 3pm kick off are now something of a rarity, especially for the Celtic supporters as the game against Aberdeen will only be our second Saturday 3pm kick off this season so far, and we will be eight games in.
The club have rightly been criticised in the past when it comes to looking out for the supporters, but they have done the right thing by us this time. Credit’s due where credit’s due.
Celtic opt out of SPFL contract granting Premier Sports the rights to 20 live games from the Scottish Premiership. https://t.co/475FpS4BwT
— stephen.mcgowan (@mcgowan_stephen) October 8, 2024
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Let’s not get too carried away with Celtic looking after the fans, we can all see that the amount to show the game on tv was derisory to say the least, if there was more money on the table then our money grabbing bean counting board would have been all over it.
Totally agree, Stevie.
Hail Hail.
Also, the premium on hospitality and corporate likely to be a lot less on Saturday lunchtime.
Those expecting gifts have another few months to wait.