The chances of BT Sport pushing for an expensive Scottish football package has been increased following the latest EPL sale of television rights.
While the headlines claim that BT has retained it’s EPL rights the package has changed with just 32 games a season shown live rather than the 44 that they have at present.
BT are paying £885m for the package which runs from 2019-2022 which is down from the £960m that they paid for their current deal.
Crucially BT now have the 12.30pm Saturday slot with no first pick matches, effectively the leftovers with no midweek coverage.
That leaves the way clear for the broadcaster to make an offer for SPFL rights using the Saturday 5.30pm slot rather than the unpopular Saturday and Sunday lunch-time kick-off’s.
The current SPFL telly deal runs until 2020 with talks already underway with broadcasters for a new three year deal.
BT have aggressively promoted the Scottish game and snapped up exclusive Betfred Cup rights when they became available in 2016.
With high viewing figures for the top Scottish fixtures an exclusive SPFL deal would enhance the BT schedule alongside their UEFA deal which gives them Champions League and Europa League coverage until 2021.
