Fans 'should be able to watch Scotland men's matches for free' - MPs report

Scotland's matches are broadcast live on subscription services, with highlights on the BBC

Fans of the Scotland's men's football team should be able to watch more of their games on free-to-air television, according to a report by MPs.

Matches were broadcast on Sky before moving last June to Premier Sports, which is now owned by Viaplay.

The streaming service secured exclusive rights to Scotland matches from 2024 to 2028 in a deal struck with Uefa.

The Scottish Affairs Committee said finding solutions with rights-holding subscription services was a priority.

Chairman Pete Wishart, an SNP MP, said it was "not fair" that Scotland fans were unable to watch the national men's team for free when viewers in England and Wales can watch theirs.

England matches are currently shown on Channel 4, which took over the contract from ITV, while Sky has an agreement that Wales matches can also be broadcast on Welsh language channel S4C, with Welsh commentary.

STV secured a deal with Sky to show the World Cup play-off final last June, but in the event Scotland failed to progress to a meeting with Wales after losing to Ukraine in the semi-finals.

'Crown jewels'

Mr Wishart called for more deals between rights holders and public service broadcasters so "particularly important" Scotland games such as key World Cup and European Championship qualifiers could reach a wider audience.

If not, the UK government should seek to add such matches to the schedule of "listed events", he said.

The list of so-called "crown jewels" - only available to public service broadcasters - includes the men's and women's football World Cups, the Six Nations rugby championship and the Wimbledon tennis championships.

The FA Cup final and Scottish Cup final are also included.

Scotland's women's team matches are broadcast on free-to-air BBC Alba, while BBC Scotland broadcasts highlights of the the men's games.

Scotland's match against England in 2021 was broadcast on STV with the Euros one of the government's 'listed events'

Public service broadcasters are often priced out of events like international football, the report said, and rights holders had no incentive to give up their exclusivity.

It noted that a third of Scottish households still rely on Freeview to watch television and called for a review involving government and broadcasters.

Mr Wishart said there was "absolute frustration" among Scotland football fans about their inability to watch the men's team on free-to-air channels.

"That is compounded when they put on their TVs and find England games on there, and wonder what has happened to the Scotland team," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme.

"We are perhaps unique in the UK, and among a number of European nations, that fans do not get the opportunity to watch the national team without paying for vastly expensive subscriptions."

"Scotland fans deserve to watch the national football team and I don't think it is beyond the wit of everybody to get round the table and design a way to do this," he added.

"If that's not going to be possible, then the government has a right to intervene and say this must be available."

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who sits on the committee, said the report should mark a "turning point" when it comes to viewing games for Scottish football fans and called on the UK government to listen to the calls for action.

He said: "Scots are keen to see their national team in action but all too often are priced out of doing so.

"While it was welcome that calls to show these games on free-to-air channels intensified when Scotland had a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, it shouldn't be a one-off.

"I hope the UK government listens to the calls from the cross-party group of MPs on this committee. They should explore all avenues to ensure that as many fans as possible - who are not able to be at Hampden in person - can cheer on at home."

In their search to watch international matches on TV in recent years, Scotland fans have become used to finding a way.

But just how hard should they be expected to look, and just how far into their pockets should they be expected to dig, to watch what fans in England and Wales can enjoy for free?

The Scottish Affairs Committee is convinced they are getting a raw deal. If that is indeed the case, then who should shoulder the blame?

Sky Sports and, more recently, Viaplay can hardly be blamed for existing in a market where their bids make more financial sense to a governing body with members to satisfy.

Whether or not Uefa should have such a powerful say on who gets what is a different story for a different day.

The report does suggest subscription broadcasters should do more to make games available to fans, but MPs also make it clear that free-to-air broadcasters should do more to explore better collaboration.

The balancing act once performed by the Scottish FA between cash in the pocket and growing the game, has long since left the stage but if international football is now beyond the reach of free-to-air broadcasters like BBC Scotland and STV, perhaps viewers have a right to know what not to expect.

'Blockbuster events'

The rights to international matches are sold by European governing body Uefa, rather than individual football associations.

The SFA declined to comment on the committee's report, but it is understood the organisation is open to as many fans as possible being able to see matches.

A spokesperson from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said broadcasting rights "provide essential income for our best loved sports".

"We have a duty to ensure our listed events rules strike a balance between ensuring the UK's biggest sporting moments are available to all while protecting competition organisers' right to secure the investment their sports need," the spokesperson added.

While the government has "no plans" to review the current list, it is "looking at whether expanding the rules to cover digital platforms would offer audiences more access to these blockbuster events."

The Scotland men's team's next matches are European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain on 25 and 28 March at Hampden Park.

They will host England at Hampden later this year on 12 September as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of their first match in 1872.

That match will be screened on Channel 4 as part of the broadcaster's deal to show England games.