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Why Celtic rejected SPFL's Premier Sports deal as Aberdeen clash set for TV blackout

Celtic Park
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Celtic have opted out of the SPFL's contract with Premier Sports - meaning NO league clashes at Parkhead will be screened live by the channel this season.

Sky Sports are the main broadcasters for the Scottish Premiership and have the rights to show up to 60 games until 2029. Premier Sports also agreed a deal with Hampden bosses in June which grants them access to 20 games - providing Scottish football fans with a combined total of 80 televised fixtures per season.

Sky are limited to covering only five matches from Premiership grounds per season and the secondary package with subscription-based Premier Sports made way for an additional two home games from any stadium.

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However, the Daily Mail reports that Celtic have turned down the deal with Premier Sports, where clubs are said to be offered £75k for every additional home game. It's said that the Parkhead club are unwilling to inconvenience their season ticket holders and home fans by shifting 3pm kick-offs to more obscure times - like Rangers' 8pm showdown with St Johnstone at Ibrox on Sunday, although this had already been pushed back to accommodate the Great Scottish Run that day.

There had been a clamour for Aberdeen's top-of-the-table clash at Celtic Park on October 19 to be shown on TV as the 100-percenters go head-to-head for the first time this season. Sky have already screened two games from the home of the champions this season and with just three more slots available throughout 2024/25, they will likely retain those games for the business end of the campaign.