Daily Mail: ITV open talks with Viaplay over deal for Scotland matches

Story from Daily Mail:

ITV have opened discussions over a deal to show Scotland’s Nations League qualifying campaign free-to-air.

And hopes are rising that the commercial broadcasting giant will secure a last-ditch agreement to broadcast Thursday night’s opening clash with Poland live from Hampden.

Scandinavian subscription channel Viaplay currently hold the rights to broadcast all international qualifiers involving Steve Clarke’s team until 2028.

Despite pulling out of the UK market last year, however, negotiations to sub-licence the rights to Premier Sports or BBC Scotland have so far failed to broker an agreement.

And Mail Sport understands ITV network chiefs have now opened a conversation with Viaplay over a late plan to broadcast Scotland’s games against Poland, Portugal and Croatia live on ITV4 or ITVX.

The commercial broadcaster secured the rights to show England internationals, including the forthcoming Nations League campaign, from UEFA last year.

And the collapse of discussions between Viaplay, Premier and BBC has now created an opportunity to add Scotland games to their live rights stable.

Last year, Viaplay confirmed plans to pay off a quarter of its staff and conduct a strategic review of its international markets, including the UK, in a quest to stem losses.

And, while Irish-based Premier Sports have bought back the rights to the League Cup, secured a 20-game package from the SPFL and teamed up with the BBC to snap up coverage of the Scottish Cup from the SFA, expectations of a deal for Scotland games have been thwarted on cost grounds.

And, with time running out before the national team face Poland at Hampden on Thursday night, it remains to be seen if ITV could step into the fray in time to hand armchair fans live access to the opening Pool A fixture against Robert Lewandowski and co.

Viaplay have refused to comment on the current state of negotiations telling Mail Sport: 'We do not comment on commercial discussions.'