SKY SPORTS will not be showing any Scottish Cup matches for the next six years after a deal was struck between the SFA and two broadcasters, the BBC and Premier Sports.
As things stand supporters will be asked to fork out for subscriptions to both BT Sport and Sky for Premiership matches and then on top of that will need to pay a subscription or a pay per view fee to Premier Sports for the Scottish Cup.
Premier Sports is the channel that we seem to end up watching in the middle of the summer for the early qualifying rounds of the various European Competitions. If you paid for the the month long subscription the summer before last to Watch Celtic, you may also have taken advantage of the time remaining on the package to watch The Rangers away to the third best team in Luxembourg. That, to be fair was a tenner well spent!
So what is the new deal that the SFA has struck? Apparently there will be more free-to-air matches live on TV than ever before. The deal includes live coverage from every round as well as gaming, archive and digital clips rights.
From season 2019-20, BBC Scotland will broadcast one live match in Rounds 1 to 3 of the Scottish Cup.
Then as the competition progresses there will be four live matches from Rounds 4 to 6 with both broadcasters screening two games each on an exclusive basis. That looks like at the stage when you will be asked for your tenner to see a game.
If you resist and we reach the semi-finals, Premier Sports will have one semi-final as an exclusive while the other one will be shown by both broadcasters. And both will also show the Scottish Cup Final.
Speaking on the SFA’s website, the Chief Executive Ian Maxwell was delighted with the new deal.
“The William Hill Scottish Cup is a tournament that is steeped in history,” he said.
“In it, the clubs and players have created countless unforgettable memories and this deal will ensure that more action than ever before will be broadcast live to the nation.
“It will also drive significant revenue back to all the clubs who participate in the competition, ensuring ongoing investment into the game.
“We look forward to working with Premier Sports and the BBC to help us continue to tell the stories and cover the action of our top knockout competition.”
Speaking for Premier Sports, their boss, a chap called Richard Webb had this to say about the deal:
“We are delighted to be adding coverage of the Scottish Cup to our channel line-up.
“Over the last eight years we have established a positive relationship with Scottish football clubs and fans covering their teams European qualifiers.
“We are proud to be guardians of this historic cup competition and understand the significance, history and traditions the famous trophy demands.
“We look forward to bringing viewers quality coverage of the tournaments biggest games for the next six years.”
Also on The Celtic Star…
Celtic TV’s unique angle and the things we noticed watching this footage…See HERE.
‘The boys did pretty much everything apart from score,’ Celtic keeper…See HERE.
Watch Celtic Fans TV, supporters reaction from West Lothian stalemate…See HERE.
‘Our supporters were once again first class,’ David Potter…See HERE.
Jim Craig – Benfica substituted Eusebio then Harry Hood got a third goal…See HERE.
TG: ‘My goal in the European Cup Final? Which one?’ Menga: ‘My head-butt on Ryan Christie? Which one?’…See HERE.
And another fine addition to the Celtic Fans media this season, joining Celtic Fans TV and of course The Celtic Star is the new fans forum where all Celtic supporters are welcome and the conversations are friendly and interesting…Celtic Noise. Check it out!
