BT SPORT have lost out in the bidding for the rights to broadcast the Scottish Premiership and the Betfred Cup.
Last week it was announced by the SFA that they had reached a deal with the BBC and Premier Sports to broadcast the Scottish Cup, with both Sky and BT Sport missing out.
Now Neil Doncaster has released details of the new SPFL deal and for those who prefer watching the Scottish game on the infinitely superior BT Sport, the bad news is that Sky Sports are the main winners here.
Neil Doncaster has already got the backing of the clubs to the new deal that will see the following happening:
1. Sky Sports will exclusively broadcast up to 48 Ladbrokes Premiership live matches per season, as well as up to six Premiership / Championship play-off matches, in each case for five seasons from 2020/21.
2. Premier Sports will exclusively broadcast between 12 and 16 Betfred Cup live matches and highlights per season.
3. Existing BBC Scotland television highlights and live radio packages have been renewed for five seasons from 2020, as well as up to 20 live Ladbrokes Championship matches per season for 2018/19 and 2019/20.
4. BBC ALBA will also broadcast one deferred Ladbrokes Premiership match each Saturday evening, live matches from the IRN-BRU Cup and the Ladbrokes Championship / League 1 and Ladbrokes League 1 / League 2 play-of finals for three seasons from 2020/21
Neil Doncaster, speaking after the meeting with Premiership clubs at Hampden Park, gave an update on the new TV deal.
“Every single deal is a major increase on our current contracts. Taken together, these deals represent the largest ever injection of broadcast investment since the SPL was founded over 20 years ago.
“Whilst we are not in a position to reveal exact figures, it’s indicative of the sums involved that the clubs quickly voted to accept the deals put before them.
“Interest in the Scottish game is extremely high both at home and overseas and this has been reflected in the size of the commercial deals we have been able to strike in what is definitely a very challenging market.
“It has been a remarkably complex and time-consuming process, but we have definitely got the right result and our media advisor Phil Lines has played an important role in achieving this successful outcome.
“We’re particularly pleased that we have been able to agree a deal for the Ladbrokes Premiership matches on an exclusive basis with a single live broadcast partner. Sky Sports has been at the heart of the football broadcasting revolution for many, many years and its determination to secure our rights and its commitment to ensuring excellence in its programming are extremely encouraging.
“We are also delighted to announce a deal with Premier Sports to broadcast the Betfred Cup and the continuation of our partnerships with BBC Scotland and MG ALBA.
“The significant, additional money which will come into Scottish football will be extremely welcome. The game can only benefit from the strong investment and widespread exposure these deals have secured.”
Barney Francis, Sky Sports’ Managing Director, was delighted with the win that will give the station a major boost and will conversely be seen as a major blow for their main rival BT Sport.
“This is a hugely exciting time for Scottish football – something that has been reflected in the number of fans tuning in to watch on Sky Sports. With more games, in-game clips and highlights of every single Ladbrokes Premiership clash, fans won’t miss a minute. Add in live coverage of Scotland’s Nations League campaign, and every European Championship and World Cup qualifier and we’ve really got the Scottish game covered.”
Michael O’Rourke, Premier Sports’ Chairman, also outlined his thoughts on his channel’s ever deeper investment into Scottish football.
“I am genuinely delighted to secure the rights to the Betfred Cup for five seasons from 2020. This deal compliments our recently announced deal with the Scottish FA for their cup competition and completes a unique double for Premier Sports. We are looking forward to working with the SPFL in the years ahead.”
Meanwhile Steve Carson, Head of Multiplatform Commissioning, BBC Scotland, had this to say: “We are delighted to have agreed this new deal with the SPFL. We know there is a huge appetite for Scottish football amongst the audience and these deals will allow us to bring them more action than ever before from the top tiers of the game. It’s great news for fans of the Scottish game and we’re looking forward to delivering a multiplatform package of high-quality coverage across TV, radio and online.”
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnership at MG ALBA, commented: “We’re delighted to secure this agreement with the SPFL. It means Gaelic-language sports programming remains open for all across Scotland.”
We are running a series of extracts from David Potter’s new book during the international break. David is a well respected Celtic historian and author and is a valuable member of our team at The Celtic Star. The latest instalment is titled ‘Rangers FC, psyched out and outmanoeuvred, the I..R..A..club of Glasgow!’ David Potter and can be read HERE.
Another feature on the go at the moment is from Matt Corr, who some of you will know from his Tour Guide Duties at Celtic Park. Matt has been taking a look back to Celtic’s season 1982-83 and we’ve had four instalments so far. Highly recommended reading and the the various links are below.
We also have our usual Diary piece from Lisbon Lion Jim Craig, who contributes at least one post to The Celtic Star every day.
PART 1…This could be Rotterdam or anywhere…Celtic’s 1982/83 season (Part 1)…see HERE.
PART 2…Oh Hampden in the rain…the end of an eight-year hoodoo – Celtic’s season 1982/83 (Part 2)…see HERE.
PART 3…A night of glory in Amsterdam – Celtic’s season 1982/83 (Part 3)…see HERE.
PART 4…see HERE.
Also on The Celtic Star today…
Why Boyata’s ‘bad day at the office’ for Belgium is good news for Celtic…See HERE.
Jim Craig – Fightback! Celtic’s 5-4 victory continues the charge for the title…See HERE.
