Alba set to show 16 Championship games

THE CASH-STRAPPED SPFL may be in for some good news as a result of Hibs’ relegation from the Premiership.

BBC Alba are close to f i nalising a contract that would allow them to broadcast 16 Championship matches, and it’s understood most of them will be on Friday evenings.

More interesting, though, is the prospect of big hitters Sky and BT going head- t o- head as t hey attempt to hammer out new deals that would allow them to show the crucial games from the second tier next season.

The BBC Alba ar rangement will not include the right to show Rangers games and will limit them to a maximum of two visits to the other grounds.

As it stands, Sky are allowed to broadcast 25 Premiership matches and f ive Rangers games while BT can show 30 live games from the top flight and 10 Rangers matches. However, with f our Edinburgh derbies guaranteed during 201415, plus another four visits to Tynecastle and Easter Road by Rangers, the Championship is set to be more i nteresting t han t he top tier, which Celtic should once again win at a canter.

With Falkirk and fellow play-off contenders Queen of the South also in the mix for promotion, the Championship is set to earn the sponsor-free SPFL some much-needed extra revenue.

Further discussions with Sky and BT are expected in the coming weeks as the big two attempt to capture the rights to the most important matches.

“The f irst year of the SPFL provided some incredible drama on the pitch for clubs and fans across all the leagues and, indeed, the interest in Scottish football is likely to be even greater next season,” said a spokesman for the SPFL.