Celtic fans have received a boost ahead of next season with the news that Sky Sports and The SPFL have agreed to a deal which will let all clubs to broadcast games that haven’t been selected for TV.
Celtic didn’t sell PPV tickets this season but fans have had to buy for certain fixtures, it may be the case that the club look at this as an additional stream of income whilst offering reduced season ticket rates. There are a lot of unanswered questions about next season and what it may look like but this is a boost, at least.
SPFL Premiership clubs will be able to broadcast all 228 matches to season ticket holders after a major new deal was struck between the league and broadcaster Sky Sports for next season.
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— SPFL (@spfl) April 19, 2021
The news was welcomed by SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster, who said that the news gave fans reassurance if there is any delay in returning to stadia that they won’t miss any of the action.
“For the past few months, there have been intense, detailed discussions between ourselves, Sky Sports and our clubs to give fans certainty that they will be able to watch their heroes playing live next season, irrespective of when supporters are allowed back into stadia. Today’s announcement is a major boost for everyone involved in the game.
“Obviously, we are all desperate to get supporters back into grounds on a safe and sustainable basis and are making good progress in our discussions with the Scottish Government, especially given the pace of the vaccine roll-out.
“In a normal season, almost five million fans attend SPFL games, the highest per capita attendance in Europe, and the current broadcast deals have been an absolute lifeline for clubs and supporters alike as they battle the enormous financial pressures caused by Covid-19. The television viewer numbers for Scottish football this season have been magnificent and this was one of the key reasons behind our agreement with Sky Sports to extend our current arrangements.
“Sky Sports have been enormously supportive and, in the UK and Ireland, will continue to screen up to 48 live Scottish Premiership matches, as well as the Premiership play-off finals. In addition, the new deal enables Premiership clubs to broadcast on a pay per view basis every home SPFL game not selected by Sky Sports.”
Fans will of course be hoping that they will be back in the grounds but this is a substantial agreement to protect the interests of the supporters, which is in powerful contrast to the Super League discussions in the rest of Europe.
Celtic fans have suffered through a torrid season and the Pass to Paradise has been criticised but ultimately, the club have missed the support. The next stage is getting supporters in the stadium on a trial basis as the capacity will look to gradually increase.
I thought it was celtic that agreed with sky sports no home ties at celtic Park except sevconins games so what’s new covid and the new parking found celtic Park it’s a thing that should have been done years ago for infirmed and aged I think celic were frightened they would not full celtic Park we have paid for 60,000 seats that won’t change just have to broadcast to houses not public houses say it as it is I hope you are doing it for supporters cause we don’t feel apart of club the now
Couldn’t care less,,, Celtic Board have sold the fans down the river,,, failed me as a fan,, just a money machine,, doing nowt for fans this yr,,