BBC Scotland secure SPL deal

BBC Scotland have clinched a multi-million pound deal to broadcast live Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League games on TV and show extensive highlights of the best of the action every week.
A two-year agreement with the SPL, which will see BBC Scotland show 38 live games a season on TV on Sunday afternoons and broadcast highlights from every League game, was welcomed by BBC Scotland Head of Programmes Ken MacQuarrie as good news for fans.
In an action-packed Sportscene programme that is sure to become a must-see for Scottish football fans every Sunday afternoon, Dougie Donnelly, Rob Maclean and the rest of the Sportscene team of star pundits and reporters will bring every goal scored from the SPL programme prior to showing that week's live match.
In addition, the four Old Firm clashes will be shown live on the BBC throughout the UK, allowing fans in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the chance to see one of the most compelling derby fixtures in the world on terrestrial television for the first time.
Preview lunchtime programmes and a comprehensive results service on Saturdays are included as part of the new football programme package.
The new deal follows the BBC Scotland contract signed earlier this year with the Scottish Football Association to show Tennent's Scottish Cup matches and Scotland's home international qualifiers for Euro 2004 and the next World Cup.
That four-year deal with the SFA, beginning at the start of this season, includes live coverage of the Tennent's Scottish Cup Final on TV, Radio Scotland and BBCi on the internet; live coverage of an additional Cup match each season; live commentaries from every round of the Cup on Radio Scotland and a significant number of ties streamed live on BBCi on the internet.
Extensive highlights from two matches every round, plus every goal scored, and exclusive highlights of all Scotland's home international matches for Euro 2004 and the World Cup in 2006 - including Under 21 qualifying games- are also included.
(GB)