Boost for lower leagues if BBC Alba agree to screen First Division games

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 23:15

THE Scottish Football League could be on the verge of landing increased live television exposure as part of a new deal with BBC Alba, the Gaelic language wing of the terrestrial broadcaster.

As they seek to bring more live sporting action into the public domain, senior figures within BBC Alba have discussed the possibility of screening live First Division matches both in the latter half of this season and, provisionally, more regularly in campaign 2010/11.

It remains unclear whether they would look to do this on a weekly basis or, more pertinently, what day and time slot would be earmarked for such matches. Last season, Alba broadcast three live First Division games post-February and also both legs of the First Division play-off between Ayr United and Airdrie United.

Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC Alba said last night: "We provided live coverage of SFL matches last season and are in discussions about the possibility of broadcasting some live SFL matches this season, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage. Live and as-live sports coverage is an extremely popular service provided by BBC Alba."

As Esslemont stated, the SFL already has a relationship with the Gaelic broadcaster, not least through their Challenge Cup sponsorship. The station has also had access to archive footage owned by the SFL, showing matches such as Rangers' League Cup final victory of 1993 during this summer. Talks regarding a more regular or formal broadcast agreement are ongoing between Alba and IMG, the agents for the SFL's rights.

"We have had a very good working relationship with BBC Alba," a spokesman for the SFL said. "The feedback we have had, from viewers and from the channel, has been very positive regarding the games they have shown.

"Like anything else, we would not rule anything out for the future. We would listen very seriously to any proposals IMG put forward to us."

The main barrier and intrigue surrounding any further agreement between the parties relates to when live fixtures could be played. Initial suggestions are that the SFL and Alba could re-ignite the prospect of Friday night football, something which in the past has proved a popular and intriguing debating point for clubs.

However, the consistent and serious block to playing matches at that time of the week relates to police forces throughout Scotland, who have been unwilling to lend their support to Friday games. There is little current sense that policy will change any time soon; junior cup semi-finals and Scotland Under-21 games, for instance, can no longer have a Friday night slot.

The argument that the police stance should be relaxed for the First Division and supposedly smaller crowds than the SPL is contradicted by relative attendances on many occasions this season already. Police bodies may also harbour a fear that any subsequent re-attempt to stage top-flight matches on a Friday night would gather pace if Scotland's second tier was doing that already.

If Fridays were to be ruled out, there would be a genuine issue over when live First Division encounters could be played and the potential impact on crowds. Alba has screened Challenge Cup ties on Sundays in the past, most recently the semi-final between Inverness and Ross County, but the competition for football television audiences is at its most intense at that point in the week owing to live SPL and Barclays Premier League games. Any proposal to stage live games in midweek is likely to meet direct opposition from clubs, who are anxious to safeguard their home attendance figures.

It also remains to be seen what impact any such deal would have on BBC Alba's existing contract with the Scottish Premier League. As things stand, Alba screens those "as live" transmissions of SPL matches each Saturday, tonight's choice being Aberdeen v Dundee United. If they decide upon the simple policy that live First Division football is preferable to delayed SPL action, then it is highly unlikely the agreement with the top flight will be extended beyond the end of this season. Alternatively, they could look to merge the two outlets and alternate coverage; that possibility is the one preferred at present by those within BBC Alba.

While any end to their agreement with Alba would not impact seriously at all in financial terms to the SPL, the current set-up does mean an extra outside broadcast – as opposed to single camera – facility is available, a situation which improves overall coverage of matches outside the most sought-after fixtures of any given weekend.