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BT deal boosts Scottish game
SPL games will be shown live next season by BT Sport after the broadcaster bought the rights from ESPN.
Express Sport revealed in January that ESPN were expected to pull out after losing out in the bidding rights for the new broadcasting contracts.
Yesterday it was announced the UK side of the American-based company’s operation was being sold to the BT Group.
The deal will see BT Sport broadcast games until the end of 2016/17 and SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We look forward to working closely with BT from the beginning of next season.
We look forward to working closely with BT from the beginning of next season
“Today’s announcement is positive for the Scottish game.
“It means top-flight football will continue to be broadcast by Sky Sports and now BT, providing a solid financial bedrock to promote the game in Scotland.”
BT Retail spokesman Marc Watson said: “We’re really thrilled to be involved with SPL football. We’re looking forward to bringing some of the very best action to fans.”
Whether BT Sport decides to bid for SFL and SFA contracts when they come up for renewal is open to debate.
But one TV insider said a package offering the chance to watch the League Cup, along with Scottish Cup and Scotland internationals would prove tempting to the broadcaster.