NEXT football season will see the “highest number of live matches ever broadcast from the Scottish Premiership” after a new broadcast deal was announced.

On Wednesday, the Scottish Professional Football League said it had reached a new five-year deal with Premier Sports to show 20 live Premiership matches in the UK and Ireland each season from 2024-25.

The broadcaster acquired the rights following what the SPFL described as “a competitive bidding process which attracted multiple bidders” and the contract is set to bring “an additional eight-figure amount into Scottish football” over its duration.

With Sky Sports already able to show up to 60 live Scottish Premiership matches per campaign, it means there could be up to 80 top-flight fixtures broadcast live next season.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster branded it “tremendous news for SPFL clubs and supporters alike”.

“This will be the highest number of live matches ever broadcast from the Scottish Premiership,” he said.

“With Premier Sports already having the rights to the Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Cup, they have cemented their place as a key broadcaster of live Scottish football.

“We are extremely grateful to Premier Sports for their increased investment into the game, which will bring an additional eight-figure sum into Scottish football over the next five years, meaning further record-breaking payments to clubs.”

Premier Sports founder Michael O’Rourke added: “We are delighted to strengthen our Scottish football offering to fans in what is a hugely exciting time for Scottish football at both club and international level.

“The addition of the Scottish Premiership means we are showing more Scottish football than ever before and we’re looking forward to broadcasting games and storylines from one of Europe’s most exciting and passionate leagues for the next five years.”