SPL to revisit TV channel plans
January 28, 2011 · 1 Comments
The Scottish Premier League is to reinvestigate the idea of launching their own subscription television channel.
Senior league officials are considering whether it can opt out of its current £13 million a season deal with Sky and ESPN in order to create its own television channel. A similar plan collapsed nine years ago after it was vetoed by Celtic and Rangers.
IMG Media, a division of global sports and media company IMG Worldwide has been appointed to examine the feasibility of the project over the next few months. IMG Media is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming and will advise the SPL Board over the next six months as to the potential of an SPL own-channel solution.
Neil Doncaster, SPL Chief Executive, commented, “A number of other European football leagues have gone down this route or are currently exploring this option. It is vital that the SPL fully understands the risks and rewards from an own-channel solution, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve Scottish football. The concept represents an opportunity for us to shape a unique channel for fans of Scottish football and we look forward to working with supporter groups to hear their views.”
Broadcast rights to the SPL are currently held by Sky and ESPN, which agreed a £65m deal in 2009 to screen 60 live Premier League games over three seasons across the UK and Ireland, with a possible two year extension option. The SPL clubs had been due to receive £31.25m a season from an extended contract with the sports broadcaster Setanta from 2010 before it collapsed.
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Tags: Celtic, IMG Media, Rangers, SPL
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I wouldn’t want yet another subscription on top of Sky & ESPN. The viewer loses out