Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: BBC urged to take on Viaplay rights to Scottish football and broadcast more free-to-air matches

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The BBC has been urged to step in and secure broadcast rights for live Scottish football after Viaplay announced it was pulling out of the UK.

SNP MP Gavin Newlands said there was now an "opportunity" to increase the number of games that were available free-to-air.

Ian Murray, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, called on the BBC and STV "to work together" to ensure national games were taken off pay-to-view channels.

Viaplay currently has an exclusive deal to show League Cup matches as well as international fixtures involving Steve Clarke's side.

Tartan Army fans have long complained that Scotland matches are routinely shown on pay-to-view channels while England games are freely available on ITV and Channel 4.

Clarke has led an incredible revival of the men's team with a string of victories meaning the Scots are on course to qualify for Euro 2024.qualify for Euro 2024.

But there is now doubt over who will broadcast the team's remaining qualifying matches.

The Viaplay deal to show Scotland games was brokered by UEFA after Hampden bosses signed-up to a centralised system to award TV rights.

Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has written to BBC Scotland bosses urging them to act.

"As you will know today Viaplay Group have announced they will be pulling out of the UK streaming market in the near future," he said.

"While I regret the loss of jobs that this move will cause, it also presents an opportunity for public service broadcasters in Scotland to work with Viaplay to secure rights for the free-to-air broadcasting of Scottish football.

"My understanding is that Viaplay will be seeking to sublicense their media rights in the UK as part of their global restructuring exercise, which in Scottish terms would include the League Cup, partial Scottish Cup rights, and rights to the Scotland men’s national team.

"Given the situation across the Group, my assumption is they would prefer this to be done sooner rather than later."

Newlands added: "The placing of Scottish football behind a paywall is something which concerns many supporters, while the financial restrictions which hamper both Scottish PSBs and ultimately the SFA and SPFL have made this a difficult issue to resolve.

"Today's events provide an opportunity for both BBC and STV to ensure continued coverage of the League Cup as well as the Scottish Cup later in the season, and expand the free to air offering for club football.

"In addition, Scotland’s next men’s national team qualifier is on September 8 against Cyprus, followed by the fixture away to Spain on October 12.

"These fixtures are currently due to be broadcast exclusively on Viaplay, but clearly today’s events put that in doubt."

Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, said: "Now more than ever we need the BBC, STV and other channels to work together to show Scotland national team matches free on television.

"For too long, Scots have either been unable to watch the national team or have been forced to pay to do so.

"It's such an exciting time for our national football team, with Scotland on the verge of Euro 2024 qualification. The whole country should have the chance to cheer on Steve Clarke and the team free of charge."

Green MSP Gillian Mackay said broadcasters and the SFA should work together to ensure both men's and women's international games are kept from behind a paywall in future.

"Steve Clarke has done an amazing job with the Scotland men's team," she added.

"Yet so many of the most inspiring moments have been hidden behind a costly paywall. If Viaplay is to stop showing Scottish international matches, it is a major opportunity for the Scottish Football Association and broadcasters to work together to ensure that a deal is reached to broadcast future matches for free in homes across Scotland.

"Our national team is for all of us, but, especially in this cost-of-living crisis, far too many people are being priced out of our beautiful game.

"Many countries already ensure their games are free to view. Scotland should join them."

The Record has asked the BBC for comment.