Scottish football goes global in international TV deal...

[ian1964 10,720]

...with SPFL games to be shown in 102 countries all over the planet.

 

06:00, 17 Feb 2016

By Michael Gannon

 

OUR game was already being shown in China but now will have coverage in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam as well as North Africa and traditional hotspots such as the US and Canada.

 

SCOTTISH football has gone global after a blockbuster new SPFL international rights deal.

 

The Ladbrokes Premiership will now be shown in 102 countries all over the planet - with clubs set to bank more than £10m over the next six years.

 

The SPFL will now be beamed in to homes from South America to Slovakia as well as India and the Middle East.

 

Scottish football was already being shown in China but now will have coverage in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam as well as North Africa and traditional hotspots such as the US and Canada.

 

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster insisted the deal was proof of the game’s global appeal - and the extended reach will lead to clubs making a mint on the back of marketing and commercial deals.

 

Doncaster said: “The SPFL is hugely popular across the world, reflected by the significant increase in the number of countries now showing games from our league and cup competitions.

 

“While in Scotland we constantly and rightly scrutinise our national sport and consider ways to further improve it, I think there is an under-appreciation of just how highly respected and liked Scottish football is by fans, other clubs and football authorities in all corners of the globe.

 

“This increased international exposure helps open up all manner of possibilities for our clubs from marketing and developing new commercial partnerships to opportunities to sell into what can often be a lucrative transfer market.

 

“The SPFL and its commercial team will continue to work closely with our broadcast partners to further expand awareness and coverage of our game for the benefit of supporters and clubs alike.”

 

The new deals have come on the back with the SPFL’s link with international rights company MP&Silva - who set up the China move in 2014.

 

Chief executive Marco Auletta said: “Bringing the best of football to fans across the world is in the DNA of MP & Silva, and we are extremely proud of the increased visibility for the SPFL internationally. The partnership has gone from strength to strength and we are looking to increase the popularity of Scottish league football even more.”

 

The SPFL’s domestic deals with Sky Sports and BT Sport currently bank clubs around £14m per year and are in place until 2020.

 

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scottish-football-goes-global-international-7383786#l3UoFbQyWS3eRRsJ.99

[craig 5,199]

So sad when a 10 million quid deal, over 6 years, is considered a "blockbuster deal".

 

We are a backwater in all areas.

[RANGERRAB 3,613]

The words 'derisory' and 'peanuts' spring to mind.

Scottish football has gone backwards since Doncaster & Regan arrived.

[stewarty 1,998]

Exposure in more countries isn't a bad thing, except when you don't get anything tangible for giving away the rights.

 

Yet another sign that Doncaster is out his depth.

[calscot 0]

At least if you holiday there, it's no problem seeing the games...

[boabie 230]

I've noticed quite a few movies where when someone is watching football on tv in other countries it is a Scottish match that's being shown. It must cost a lot less to get the rights for our games.

[pete 2,499]

You know how at Christmas you get presents and stocking fillers? Scottish football is a stocking filler to these nations. To fill in time that they would otherwise be struggling to do without repeats.