SPFL announce 'new and improved' deal with BBC Alba

The SPFL have announced a 'new and improved' deal with BBC Alba which will see the broadcaster show games from each of the four league divisions over the next three seasons.

By The Newsroom Wednesday, 28th June 2017, 12:19 pm Updated Tuesday, 12th September 2017, 11:12 am

Neil Doncaster hailed the new deal. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Starting from the 2017/18 campaign, Alba will show 38 Ladbrokes Premiership matches as deferred broadcasts (also known as “as live”). This will replace the current set-up, which sees Alba screen extended highlights of two games from every round of fixtures, with the programmes lasting roughly one hour in length.

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In addition, Alba will show four live Championship games along with two live matches from League One and League Two. There will also be live broadcasts from the Irn-Bru Cup (five matches across the tournament) and each leg of the Championship play-off final.

The Scottish Government and the league’s governing body each welcomed the terms of the new deal.

Minister for Sport Aileen Campbell said: “Football is Scotland’s national game and we want to do everything we can to open it up to as many people as possible. This deal with BBC Alba continues the great support the BBC has shown to the SPFL as well as the continued desire to promote the Gaelic language.

“As a football fan, I know that being able to watch my team on the television is a huge bonus if I can’t attend the game itself and I look forward to another three seasons of Scottish football coverage on BBC Alba.”

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “This is a great deal for Scottish football and good news for Scotland overall. The SPFL has enjoyed a terrific partnership with BBC Alba to date and we are excited to extend the relationship by a further three seasons, ensuring Scottish football shown live on TV can continue to be enjoyed by as many supporters as possible.