Major broadcast change as BBC makes huge football event previously shown on Sky Sports free-to-air

THE BBC has agreed a new deal that will see Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland matches shown on free-to-air television from the upcoming international break.

All three teams are set to battle it out for a place at next summer’s World Cup over the coming months.

Reuters

The BBC has announced a new deal that will see Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland games broadcast on free-to-air TV[/caption]

PA

Scotland games have been behind a paywall for over 15 years[/caption]

Pacemaker

The Irish FA praised the ‘new chapter’[/caption]

And for the first time in over two decades, every fixture will be shown on free-to-air TV across the United Kingdom.

The BBC has reached an agreement with Uefa allowing 41 matches to be shown live across its channels.

The deal also includes at least two international friendlies and Scotland’s Nations League play-off with Greece later this month.

It is the first time the BBC has secured full live rights for all three nations.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Nations, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that fans across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will now be able to enjoy live, free-to-air coverage of all the big international football matches.

“Nothing fires the imagination more than live international sport and the race to qualify for the world’s biggest tournament.

“It’s going to be quite a ride and I’m thrilled the BBC will be there every step of the way.”

This month will mark the first time a Wales qualifier is broadcast on free-to-air TV since 2004.

FAW CEO Noel Mooney revealed: “As we approach an exciting World Cup qualification campaign with Craig Bellamy at the helm, the Football Association of Wales is looking forward to working with BBC Cymru Wales, on their free-to-air coverage of the Cymru men’s national team.

“It’s fantastic that every Welsh fan will be able to watch our matches for free via the BBC’s fantastic coverage.”

Meanwhile, Scotland fixtures have largely been placed behind a paywall for over 15 years – aside from a few shown on YouTube recently.

And as for Northern Ireland, the team’s last two fixtures in November were not televised at all.

On the new deal, Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: “We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with BBC NI to promote our domestic game across radio, TV and online.

“This is a new chapter which builds on this foundation, and we hope to share more success following the journey of this exciting senior men’s team.”

With Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales fixtures to be shown live on the BBC, England’s fixtures will remain on ITV.

The broadcaster took over the rights from Channel 4 in September.

That means the new BBC deal will not impact coverage of the Three Lions.

Previously, some international games have been broadcast on Sky Sports.

And in recent years the rights have been held by Premier Sports.