Scottish Premier League tasks IMG Media to consider new plans for dedicated TV channel
The Scottish Premier League has appointed IMG Media as it begins investigating whether the launch of its own television channel is a viable option in the future.
The SPL has announced that IMG Media will examine the possibilities of a channel dedicated solely to the football league, a plan similar to those which were considered in 2002.
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPL explained that it was a route that had been followed by a number of European leagues, and that he hoped that IMG would advice the board of the SPL over the next six months as to the potential of such a channel being launched in Scotland.
"It is vital that the SPL fully understands the risks and rewards from an own-channel solution, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve Scottish football," said Doncaster.
"The concept represents an opportunity for us to shape a unique channel for fans of Scottish football and we look forward to working with supporter groups to hear their views."
The plan considered by the SPL was to begin to broadcast its own content on a channel that it owned, following the end of its lucrative broadcast deal with Sky Sports. In the end it agreed a deal with now defunct subscription satellite sports channel Setanta, and now holds severely less lucrative broadcasting deals with ESPN and Sky Sports.