Celtic Football Club has decided to withdraw from the broadcasting agreement between Premier Sports and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). This decision comes as the club navigates the complexities of televised matches, particularly in light of the upcoming fixture against Aberdeen. Currently, Sky Sports holds the primary broadcasting rights for the SPFL, allowing them to air five home games for Celtic each season. With the season opener against Kilmarnock and the first Glasgow Derby already completed, only two additional matches remain for selection, making the October 19 clash with Aberdeen a significant fixture.
Interestingly, Sky Sports has opted not to broadcast the Celtic vs. Aberdeen match, leading to Premier Sports stepping in unexpectedly. The Irish broadcaster, which has rights to air both the Scottish Cup and Premier Sports Cup, recently showcased a match featuring St Johnstone at Ibrox and has plans for more coverage from venues like Tannadice and Pittodrie in the future.
Reports indicate that Celtic’s choice to withdraw from the SPFL’s broadcasting agreement means no home league games will be shown on Premier Sports this season. Sky Sports maintains its position as the main broadcaster of the league, having expanded its coverage from 48 to 60 matches under a new deal that commenced this season. In June, it was disclosed that Premier Sports had secured a deal to show 20 Premiership matches each season, raising hopes for increased visibility of notable fixtures.
Celtic was offered £75,000 for each additional home match, with a cap of £150,000 for two games. However, the club was