SPL radio rights open to commercial stations as BBC ends exclusivity

The BBC has lost exclusive radio commentary rights to the Scottish Premier League as part of a new deal confirmed today. Currently BBC Radio Scotland and Radio 5 Live are the only domestic radio outlets broadcasting live coverage of SPL matches, but from next season commercial radio north of the border will once again be allowed to compete with the corporation in providing live radio coverage. It is understood a premium paid for exclusive radio coverage did not reflect sufficiently well in the BBC's ratings for the current agreement to be extended. BBC Radio Scotland still plans to offer commentary on each round of SPL matches over the next two seasons. The SPL said a deal to the end of the 2011-12 season with the BBC will offer more free-to-air coverage than ever before. A weekly television highlights show has been retained, with more clips to be made available via the BBC's website and on the iPlayer facility. Neil Doncaster, the chief executive of the SPL, said: "It is important for the ongoing promotion of our league that we have high-quality terrestrial coverage. Today we have managed to secure this for football fans in Scotland. It is essential that we continue to deliver significant investment into the SPL which will help finance our clubs' plans over the coming seasons." A spokesman for the SPL stressed that no commercial radio deal is yet in place although it is believed the Glasgow-based Radio Clyde would look to regain commentary rights if it can meet increased production costs. In a separate development, the SPL is considering a proposal under which clubs would be permitted to field three overage players in under-19 league games. The SPL controversially axed their reserve league before the start of this season, leaving a host of players – either returning from injury or outside their club's first-team picture – with no weekly fixture.