Football

Scotland blackout fears over but Nations League matches WON’T be on TV

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4 hours ago

October 9, 2024

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Scotland blackout fears over but Nations League matches WON’T be on TV

SCOTLAND’S upcoming Nations League matches HAVE been picked up by a broadcaster at the 11th hour.

But the matches against Croatia and Portugal will NOT be shown on live TV.

Scott McTominay has scored in both of Scotland’s Nations League matchesCredit: Alamy

Luka Modric will face Scotland on SaturdayCredit: Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo will head to Hampden next weekCredit: Getty

In a bizarre twist, it’ll be Viaplay – who pulled OUT of the UK market last summer – who will be broadcasting the matches.

However, the Nordic-based company won’t be showing the matches on a traditional TV platform.

Instead, it will be shown on the Viaplay International YOUTUBE channel – and it will be FREE to watch.

A promotional video has appeared on the YouTube page confirming that both matches will be shown.

Scotland travel to Zagreb to take on Croatia on Saturday evening with a 5pm kick-off.

Star-studded Portugal, including Cristiano Ronaldo, then make the trip to Hampden on Tuesday night with a 7.45pm start.

There were similar blackout fears for last month’s opening Nations League matches with Poland and the first encounter with Portugal.

But ITV stepped-in at the last moment, with confirmation of coverage on ITV4 announced the day before that clash with Poland in Glasgow.

Viaplay were announced as the exclusive rights holders of Scotland matches between 2024 and 2028, taking in two Nations League campaigns and qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2028.

However, the company announced they were EXITING the UK market last summer.

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Viaplay subsequently pulled the plug on their subscription-based UK channels and their domestic Scottish football rights for the Scottish Cup and League Cup were transferred to the returning Premier Sports.

While domestic rights are tendered by each national association, Uefa’s media rights sales are centralised.

This means that Uefa take sole responsibility for the sales of broadcast rights for all 55 European nations.

After exiting the UK market, Viaplay attempted to sell on their rights to the Nations League.

However, they failed to sell the UK rights on and as a result have been broadcasting matches live on their international YouTube page.

It has meant huge matches, such as France’s clash with Belgium last month, have been free to watch on the platform for UK-based viewers.

ITV struck a deal with Uefa to broadcast England’s Nations League and qualification matches and as a result the Three Lions’ matches are NOT available to watch on YouTube within the UK.