STV HAVE been urged to take on the rights for Scottish football matches by the Scottish Greens.
This comes as Viaplay have made a strategic decision to focus on the Nordic markets instead of the UK market and lay off 25% of it's workforce.
Gillian Mackay MSP, and the Scottish Green Party spokesperson for health, social care and sport, has written a letter to STV chiefs, writing that “far too many people are being priced out of our beautiful game” and if they want children to look up to athletes then they need to see “both the men's and women's teams in action”.
She continued: “Many countries already ensure their games are free to view. I believe Scotland should join them. Since starting my campaign to make football accessible for all, I have been inundated with emails from people the length and breath of this country supporting our call.
“You have an opportunity to play a leading role in bringing a nation together again. An opportunity to be the broadcaster who gave us hope.”
This comes as STV suggested they could partner with another broadcaster to bring Scottish matches to free-to-air TV if the opportunity arises.
An STV statement in response to the developing Viaplay scenario read: “Like our viewers, we’d love for more Scottish matches to be available free-to-air, including on STV where this can be achieved on a commercial basis.
"We continue to actively explore different ways of bringing more Scottish football to STV viewers, including the potential of sharing of rights with other broadcasters.”
Viaplay will "actively explore" possible avenues to offer live coverage of Scottish football "where this can be achieved on a commercial basis".
The broadcaster announced a radical plan to refocus efforts in the Nordic and Netherlands markets on Thursday prompting concerns over Scottish broadcast rights deals.
However, both the SPFL and Scottish FA remain relaxed over the situation with payments to both bodies up to date.
It's expected Viaplay Cup matches will continue to be aired by the Nordic broadcaster this season with little disruption.
And the Scottish FA have no concern over the recent developments with fees banked and rights to show Scotland national team matches sold by UEFA.
Viaplay also hold the rights to the Scottish Cup which are sold by IMG.
