NATIONAL FOOTBALL SHOULD JOIN “CROWN JEWELS” – OLYMPICS AND WORLD CUP – AND BE FREE TO BROADCAST IN SCOTLAND, SAYS BROWN 

In the Scottish Parliament’s Culture Committee on Thursday, MSPs had a chance to put questions to leading figures of the BBC in Scotland, namely BBC Scotland’s Director Steve Carson, Chief Financial Officer Alan Dickson, and Louise Thornton, the Head of Commissioning. 

During this session, the MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Keith Brown took the chance to ask if the BBC would support the designation of international Scottish football matches as part of the so-called “Crown Jewels” – sporting events that are free-to-air – like the Olympics or FIFA World Cup. 

The BBC representatives stated that they could not comment on that specific call because it was a matter of public policy – they did however state that they are committed to supporting Scottish football and have an interest in any rights that come to market.  

This issue has caused particular controversy in recent years – England matches are currently shown on Channel 4, which took over the contract from ITV, and Sky has an agreement that Welsh matches can also be broadcast on Welsh language channel S4C, with Welsh commentary – all of which are free-to-air TV channels, while Scottish supporters must pay for a subscription service in order to access their national teams games.  

For years the SNP have been campaigning on this issue, seeking to get the broadcasting of Scotland’s football matches brought in line with the rest of the UK’s.  

Keith welcomed the BBC’s commitment to exploring all options the next time the contract goes to market and has confirmed that he will be meeting with the BBC soon to discuss this.  

Speaking in the committee, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, said: 

“The absurd situation we have in Scotland where we can’t see free-to-air international football matches, especially competitive ones involving our own national team. But we can see one some other countries – would the BBC support the designation of international Scottish football matches as part of what are called ‘the Crown jewels’?” 

BBC Scotland director Steve Carson responded:  

“So because listed events, as they’re called, are a matter of public policy, we’re not free to offer an opinion on that. What I would say though, and Louise has been a huge investor in Scottish football just to talk about our ambitions and what we currently do. Obviously, Scotland’s qualification for the Euros and World Cups would be covered by the rights the BBC currently has. 

“We don’t have rights to everything, but I think in context our commitment to Scottish football is strong. 

“Yes, it’s a competitive rights market, as you know, and with a strong track record – we’ve just renewed our championship deal for four years and obviously we broadcast the Scottish Cup – great game on Friday coming up – we’re also showing the Women’s Cup – and so we are, you know an investor in football and we are also interested in any rights that come in the market. 

“We would absolutely have a look at that.”