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Wednesday 17th February 2016

SPFL increases global TV reach

New deals with Fox Sports, Japanese TV, Canal+ and BeinSport help SPFL showcase Ladbrokes Premiership games to growing international audience

New deals with Fox Sports, Japanese TV, Canal+ and BeinSport help SPFL showcase Ladbrokes Premiership games to growing international audience

Scottish league football is being screened in more than 100 international countries for the first time, thanks to a raft of new international broadcast deals struck in territories around the world.

This season’s Ladbrokes Premiership action is now being shown in 102 territories across the globe – up from 61 during the previous campaign – with a host of new broadcasters involved in taking the game to an ever-increasing audience.

New contracts which began this season include Fox Sports broadcasting to Latin America, two deals in Japan with Perform Media & Sky Perfect TV and LeTV increasing reach in China, the single biggest international broadcast contract.

In addition, coverage across Europe has risen from 13 to 18 countries in 2015/16, with Hungary and Romania via DigiSport both new additions and French SPFL coverage now led by Canal+, while in the Middle East and North Africa BeinSport has increased its reach of SPFL games.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “The SPFL is hugely popular across the world, reflected by the significant increase in the number of countries now showing games from our league and cup competitions.

“While in Scotland we constantly and rightly scrutinise our national sport and consider ways to further improve it, I think there is an under-appreciation of just how highly respected and liked Scottish football is by fans, other clubs and football authorities in all corners of the globe.

“This increased international exposure helps open up all manner of possibilities for our clubs from marketing and developing new commercial partnerships to opportunities to sell into what can often be a lucrative transfer market.

“The SPFL and its commercial team will continue to work closely with our broadcast partners to further expand awareness and coverage of our game for the benefit of supporters and clubs alike.”

In season 2015/16 Ladbrokes Premiership matches are being shown in 102 countries, Scottish League Cup games – presented by Utilita – in 29 nations, and Petrofac Training Cup contests in 12.

Domestically, the SPFL recently agreed extensions to existing contracts with Sky Sports and BT Sport which will see both channels continue to show live Scottish league football across the UK until and including season 2019/20.

MP & Silva, a leading international media rights company and SPL’s overseas broadcast partner since 2013, has been instrumental in helping to grow the league’s international audience.

Marco Auletta, CEO of MP & Silva, said: “Bringing the best of football to fans across the world is in the DNA of MP & Silva, and we are extremely proud of the increased visibility for the SPFL internationally.  The partnership has gone from strength to strength and we are looking to increase the popularity of Scottish league football even more.”

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