SPL signs broadcast deal with BT Vision
Published Date: 15 July 2008
Scotsman
By Angus Wright
THE Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League yesterday announced a new deal with BT Vision, which will see it broadcast 28 league games each season for on-demand coverage in seasons 2008/09 and 2009/10.
The digital TV service will select 28 games each season for broadcast. The games will be broadcast on Saturday night from 10pm and will remain available for viewing for 50 hours. In addition, all Setanta live matches will be shown live via BT Vision.
SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said: "Interest in the SPL is strong. This deal produces a healthy increase in the coverage of our competition. BT Vision's investment in the SPL over the next two seasons is an added boost to the clubs on the back of the other broadcasting deals that we now have in place."
The SPL's main live television deal is with Setanta Sports, who have paid £125 million to show 60 live Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches each season until the end of 2013/14.
There is also a highlights deal with BBC Scotland that runs until the end of season 2009/10 with the option of a further two years.
In addition, the SPL also has a deal with Sport 5 to broadcast games overseas.
Gold added: "To put this context, we are looking at £125m over four years and we have our current deal which is less than half that.
"Setanta have been superb partners. Last year we had an extremely hard time in terms of fixtures and they were extremely helpful in dealing with the problems we had."
Good news for Scottish football
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