YouTube to screen SPL highlights in new link-up

THE Scottish Premier League have joined forces with YouTube in a deal which will see match highlights and exclusive content made available to fans in the UK and around the world for the next three seasons.

The partnership is a first for league football in the UK and will see the SPL’s official YouTube channel ‘splofficial’ screen highlights from every Clydesdale Bank Premier League match, beginning this season.

Match highlights will be available for supporters in the UK to view from 6pm on Sundays.

The channel will also cover pre- and post-match reaction from players and managers, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes features.

The channel is already up and running, with highlights from all the opening weekend matches in the SPL. Most of the clips last around five minutes but there is an extended eight-minute package from Celtic’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead.

Other features on ‘splofficial’ include ‘Top Fan Moments’ – which currently sees half-naked Dundee supporters putting sun lotion on at Rugby Park – ‘SPL Bust-ups’, ‘Top Celebrations’, ‘Top Saves’ and ‘Top Goals’.

Stuart MacPhee, SPL commercial manager, said: “Making Clydesdale Bank Premier League content available on YouTube will allow fans to access all the best action, on and off the pitch, whenever they want and wherever they are, be it at home on the laptop or on their smartphone on the bus to work.”

Stephen Nuttall, senior director of Sports for YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “Football fans worldwide naturally go to YouTube to catch up on goals and highlights.

“Our partnership with the Scottish Premier League will give the global YouTube audience access to all aspects of Scottish football from the best on-field action to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.”

SPL highlights from every weekend match are currently shown online at the BBC Scotland sport website and are also made available on Sunday evenings, but only viewers in the UK can access the action.