пятница, 14 сентября 2012 г.

REBELS PLAN LIVE TV FEAST; Talks planned for bumper telly deal.(Sport) - Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)

Armchair fans are set to have a live game from Scotland's new Premiership beamed into their homes every week next season.

Breakaway bosses are planning to change the way football is watched in this country forever with a bonanza of games on the box.

I understand that negotiations will soon take place between representatives of the top clubs and terrestrial and satellite TV stations.

And the result could mean Old Firm fans in particular having lots of free Saturdays as their matches are switched to suit the telly companies.

The new Premiership set-up has still to be rubber-stamped by member clubs of the Scottish League, but talks have already taken place to get the new organisation high-powered backers.

However, the only way for the new league to attract more TV cash - and more sponsors - is to allow a greater number of matches to be broadcast live.

The Scottish League's current deal allows SKY to broadcast up to 17 matches live from the three domestic competitions, while Scottish Television can show seven matches as they happen.

Those deals expire at the end of the season and breakaway leaders want a deal similar to coverage of the English Premiership, although not exclusively on satellite TV.

Celtic and Rangers will be the prime targets for network broadcasts. Old Firm meetings on SKY produce viewing figures to rival the top English fixtures. As a result, the big two will be in greater demand - although all clubs will be affected.