TELEVISION coverage of Celtic games – or perhaps the lack of it – seems to be continually on the agenda today. Premier Sport are taking absolute pelters after taking supporters money on the promise that they’d be showing the European Qualifiers in July, specifically mentioning Celtic, and have failed to reach agreement with the Rights Holders in Estonia to show tomorrow’s Champions League Qualifier, which of course is happening in July.
It’s bad enough the amount of money that supporters are asked to pay to watch games on television without having to pay NOT to watch the game!
But there’s some better news about tomorrow’s game, with Celtic TV announcing that they will be showing the match for all subscribers around the world and in the Britain in Ireland. Celtic were prevented in revealing this any earlier by UEFA rules but it was always likely that they’d come to the rescue of no other broadcast deal was struck.
???? Great news, Celts! ????
Tomorrow’s #UCL qualifier between @KaljuFC and #CelticFC will be shown LIVE & EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE on @CelticTV (including UK & Ireland)! ????
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 29, 2019
And BT Sport got in on today’s news agenda by announcing some fixture changes in the early part of the season to accommodate their live broadcasts. Let’s start with these.
On Saturday 4 September Celtic travel to play Hamilton and the kick-off time is now 12 noon. Then at the end of the month, on Saturday 28 September, it’s Hibs v Celtic on BT Sport with the kick-off tome being 12.30pm.
Into October on Livingston v Celtic will kick off at 12 noon on 6 October then on 29 October the Hoops travel to Pittodrie to play Aberdeen and for this one the kick-off is 12.15pm.
Back to Premier Sports and the mess they have got themselves into today after admitting that they failed to reach agreement with the Estonian rights holders to show tomorrow’s Champions League Qualifier – in July – despite selling their subscriptions based on this offer.
Their advertisement has an image of Celtic captain Scott Brown to the fore, it features to Champions League logo and it states that they are selling “European Qualifiers This July” for £11.99 per month.
Premier delivered on their promise for the first round in Sarajevo (see below) but have failed to fulfil their promise to subscribers for tomorrow’s game against Nomme Kalju.
“Unfortunately we were unable to agree a fee with the rights holder in Estonia. It’s disappointing we won’t be able to broadcast the game live,” Premier TV stated on social media earlier today.
TonyBhoy however pointed out the substantial problem that this failure presents for the subscription based TV channel.
“This is your advert. I signed up expecting to see the three qualifiers apart from the playoff round as I know BT have the rights. Can I have a refund for £12 I’ve spent as I won’t receive what you advertised?” he pointed out, politely and looking at that advert, he certainly seems to have a point.
This is your advert. I signed up expecting to see the three qualifiers part from the playoff round as I know BT have the rights. Can I have a refund for £12 I’ve spent as I won’t receive what you advertised pic.twitter.com/D7CeaWpo20
— Tonybhoy???????? (@anthonyjohn84) July 29, 2019
Most of the feedback is pretty angry and pretty dispersing reading if you are involved with Premier.
“Yet, you agreed a fee for a lesser game in Luxembourg on Thurs? This stinks. Won’t be subscribing again,” Celtic Symphony stated.
“Tell you what. . . If you’ve agreed a fee for the lesser competition in Luxmbourg on Thursday it’s the last penny I give to Premier Sports. The only reason I paid it was to watch Celtic in the qualifiers,” stated CC.
“Bad crack Premier. You’ve asked Scottish football fans to dig deep and yet you won’t cover a CL qualifier. Poor show,” wrote Happy Chappy.
“First time I’ve ever paid for Premier Sports. And it will be the last time. For sure,” another supporter stated.
“Cancelled my subscription, joke of a company,” wrote Howie mcc.
“Will be canceling the subscription when I’m home. Never been a big hockey fan anyway…” stated Ryan Herity.
“I’ll be another one cancelling my subscription today,” Paul added.
“Just cancelled. False advertisement, legal dept need to have a closer look at your company,” Maria observed.
“In other words, you weren’t willing to pay. Fair enough, neither am I and I will now just cancel my subscription!” Just one more thing concluded.
On it goes, it’s been a pretty awful day for Premier Sports right enough.
