Neil Doncaster announces SPL TV back in picture

THE prospect of the Scottish Premier League running its own television channel moved a step closer to reality yesterday when it appointed IMG Media to evaulate what it called the "own-channel solution". The world's largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming, IMG Media will advise the SPL board over the next six months.

"A number of other European football leagues have gone down this route or are currently exploring this option," SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said. "It is vital that the SPL fully understands the risks and rewards from an own-channel solution, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve Scottish football. The concept represents an opportunity for us to shape a unique channel for fans of Scottish football and we look forward to working with supporters groups to hear their views."

The SPL's current agreement with Sky and ESPN to screen live matches runs until the end of season 2013-14, but the league has an option to end the contract at the conclusion of next season. At the very least, the SPL board wants to be in a stronger bargaining position by the summer of 2012 than it was two years ago, when the collapse of Setanta left it badly exposed.

IMG's role appears to be to help the SPL achieve that position rather than merely carrying out a feasibility study. The league's board is already persuaded that SPL TV is a feasible concept, and has not been deterred by a previous attempt to establish its own channel.

It was in the formative years of the SPL that Roger Mitchell, its first chief executive, proposed it should have its own TV channel. The proposal foundered and Mitchell eventually resigned.

The difference between then and now, according to SPL officials, is that they have discussed the matter beforehand with the country's biggest clubs.