The BBC, the UK public-service broadcaster, will stream the forthcoming season of the Scottish Women’s Premier League after agreeing a one-season deal with its rights-holder, Scottish Women’s Football.
One match per match week will be streamed live online by BBC Sport with the first match scheduled for October, pending government approval to begin the season.
SWF is keen to capitalise on record interest in the league and has been concluding deals to grow the league’s exposure. BBC Alba, the Gaelic-language arm of the BBC, is to double the amount of matches aired live during the 2020-21 season. Along with live coverage on BBC Alba in recent seasons, the league has also benefitted from an editorial tie-up with BBC Sport.
SWF chair Vivienne MacLaren said: “Interest in our game was at an all-time high prior to lockdown and it’s important that we maintain that momentum by growing an audience for women’s football. The BBC Scotland agreement will undoubtedly help us to achieve this.”
BBC Alba has shown an increased commitment to women’s football in Scotland as exemplified by its acquisition of rights to Glasgow City’s Uefa Champions League quarter-final match against German side Wolfsburg.
BBC Alba also holds the rights to the women’s Bundesliga, the top-tier of women’s football in Germany, having acquired the rights earlier this year.