The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has launched a new live streaming service for clubs outside the Premiership, with coverage beginning this weekend. The service, named SPFL Player, will allow fans to watch matches from the William Hill Championship, League 1, and League 2 on a pay-per-view basis, with 24-hour passes priced at £10.99.
Revenue to be channelled back to clubs
The league will produce and broadcast matches on behalf of clubs, with revenue from each stream distributed back to the home club. The initiative follows a successful trial in May, when every SPFL play-off fixture was streamed live.
League chief Neil Doncaster described the launch as an “important step forward for the league and clubs.” He said: “The launch of the SPFL Player is an important step forward for the league and our clubs, as well as great news for supporters.”
Coverage details and availability
Coverage begins with all nine fixtures in League 1 and League 2 this Saturday, with no Championship games scheduled due to the Premier Sports Cup. Matches across the three divisions will be streamed when they are not already aired by BBC Scotland or BBC ALBA and when broadcast blocked hours do not apply.
Doncaster added: “For the first time, fans in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch their team in the William Hill Championship, League 1 and League 2 whenever matches fall outside blocked hours – whether they're unable to attend on the day or following their club online.”
How fans can access the service
Supporters in the UK and Ireland can purchase 24-hour passes for £10.99, which also grant access to all non-top-flight league matches that day on catch-up. Doncaster noted: “It's easy, simple and secure for fans to buy a live stream. They just need to go online to www.spflplayer.com and follow the prompts, and the money generated will directly financially help their club.”
Non-blocked hour dates for this season include August 15, September 12 and 26, November 14, March 27, and May 1. Further potential dates are to be confirmed in due course.
