Hibernian refuse to allow TV coverage of crucial Kilmarnock match

[ian1964 10,625]

Hibernian have blocked a request to broadcast their crucial Scottish Premiership match with Kilmarnock.

 

The Easter Road side host their league rivals on Saturday, with Terry Butcher's men needing a win to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off place and to send their weekend opponents into the end-of-season competition.

 

After it became clear in midweek the fixture would be an all-or-nothing affair, BT Sport made an approach to the Scottish Professional Football League for permission to show the game.

 

Under the terms of the contracts with broadcasters, only six games can be broadcast per season from the home ground of any one club, a change from the four stipulated in SPFL rules.

 

As Hibs home games have already been shown seven times between BT and Sky this campaign, special permission was required from the SPFL and Hibernian for the match to be shown, with the club having the final say.

 

A spokesman for Hibs told STV: "We have already more than met our contractual obligations with regards to television broadcasting this season.

 

"It is a vital game and we are hoping for a large turnout from a live support."

 

No additional payment would have been made by the broadcaster, who made the application under the terms of their existing contract.

 

STV understands that despite technical crews being on standby to rig Easter Road on Friday, the club declined the broadcast of the fixture.

 

It is also understood that Hibs informed the league of their final decision on Thursday.

 

A spokesman for the SPFL told STV: "While it's disappointing that no agreement was reached to allow tomorrow's Hibernian v Kilmarnock Premiership match to be shown live on TV, any SPFL member club is entitled to refuse permission for live TV coverage at a home league game after it has fulfilled its agreed quota for the season."

 

The decision has attracted a significant backlash from Scottish football supporters who believe an opportunity has been missed to showcase a key match from the Premiership to a UK audience.

 

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/hibernian/274737-hibernian-refuse-to-allow-tv-coverage-of-crucial-kilmarnock-match/

[Gribz 745]

Got to agree with Hibz on this if no payment would be made, how can TV companies justify that!

 

Still hope Boyd nets a nice 90th minute equalizer or winner.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

More power to them it's time the Clubs kicked back against the TV companies.

 

A new take on "pay per view", non-pay per view

[Zappa 0]

It shows you how much the SPFL are under the thumb of the broadcasters and how poor their deals with them are.

[der Berliner 3,563]

Got to agree with Hibz on this if no payment would be made, how can TV companies justify that!

 

Still hope Boyd nets a nice 90th minute equalizer or winner.

 

Well, Boyd was premature by one half.