Sky Adjusts Spl Deal To Include Rangers
Broadcaster Sky Sports has confirmed it has signed a new five-year agreement with the Scottish Premier League to continue its coverage of Scottish football, and will also include five Rangers fixtures in Division Three following the club’s re-entry to the fourth tier of Scottish football.
Under the new deal, Sky Sports will broadcast 30 live matches from the top flight.
The SPL had agreed a TV deal worth £80m over five years with Sky and fellow broadcaster ESPN before the old Rangers slipped towards liquidation, leading to fears that a TV deal might disappear as a result of the drop.
Coverage of the new season begins with Celtic at home to Aberdeen on Saturday, with a kick-off time of 12:45 having already been announced to suit television coverage.
Rangers’ first game in the Third Division, away to Peterhead on 11th August at 12:45, will also be broadcast live.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: ‘We’ve supported Scottish football since we started, over 20 years ago, and have always wanted to continue that commitment.’
‘Our viewers will see the SPL for five more years and our schedule includes the opening league match for Celtic. We will also follow Rangers as they plot their way back to Scottish football’s top flight.’
‘Clubs now have certainty over their income and exposure across the UK and Ireland and we look forward to the new season.’
