Live Serie A coverage returns
Serie A matches will once again be available live on free-to-air television this season, with BBC Scotland and BBC Alba set to broadcast 38 live games. This agreement allows for the coverage of one match per round throughout the entire league season. The coverage will be shared equally between BBC Scotland and BBC Alba, the latter having covered eight Italian league matches last season.
All live games will also be accessible on iPlayer. BBC Alba will continue to offer coverage in a mix of Gaelic and English commentary. The broadcasting rights for these matches are shared with TNT Sports and DAZN. A source from BBC Scotland described the deal as a “no-brainer,” highlighting the opportunity to bring live European football to a free-to-air audience.
The first match scheduled for broadcast is Sassuolo‘s clash against Atalanta, which will be shown this Sunday at 7:45 pm BST. This game will feature Scottish players Kieron Bowie and Josh Doig, who are both part of the Sassuolo squad. Bowie has returned to the Italian top flight on loan from Hellas Verona, while Doig is now his teammate at Sassuolo.
Scottish and English representation in Italy
Scottish players are expected to feature prominently in the upcoming season’s coverage. Scott McTominay, playing for Napoli, remains a key focus. The midfielder played a significant role in his team’s Scudetto win in the 2024/25 season. Despite Napoli being dethroned by Inter Milan last season, McTominay had a productive campaign, scoring 14 goals across all competitions, which was one more than his previous historic season.
His teammate, Billy Gilmour, is currently recovering from a knee injury that prevented him from participating in this summer’s World Cup. He is anticipated to make an impression on Napoli‘s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri. Napoli is scheduled to begin their season against Genoa on Saturday night.
Other Scotland international teammates in Serie A include Che Adams at Torino and Lennon Miller at Udinese. Lewis Ferguson, despite being the subject of transfer speculation, is expected to play for Bologna in their match against Lazio on Monday night. All these players are hoping to be included in new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli‘s first squad next month.
England also has a notable presence in Serie A, with its representation now in double figures. Among the English players are Djed Spence and John Stones, both of whom joined champions Inter Milan this summer. Harry Winks, who moved to Cagliari from Leicester City, is another summer recruit. Other English players who have represented their country in the past include AC Milan pair Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Expanding European football coverage
The decision to continue and expand Serie A coverage across BBC iPlayer for the upcoming season was seen as a significant opportunity. The aim is to bring live European football to a free-to-air audience, with Serie A described as arguably one of the most glamorous leagues globally, now featuring an increased number of British players this season.
Last season, the coverage provided a platform to showcase Scottish players in Italy, coinciding with the World Cup and heightened interest in the league. The previous coverage also included nostalgic references to past football broadcasts and a guest appearance by James Richardson for a Napoli versus Bologna match, which received positive audience feedback.
MG ALBA, through its Director of Content, Margaret Cameron, expressed delight in continuing to bring top-class European football to audiences on BBC Alba. She noted that the league’s appeal continues to grow among Scottish supporters due to the success of their players in Italy. This new agreement ensures fans can follow the stories, rivalries, and key matches throughout the season, free-to-air and in Gaelic, while benefiting from broader coverage across BBC platforms.
This deal further enhances BBC Sport‘s European football portfolio, which already includes clips from Bundesliga and La Liga. The first broadcast will be Atalanta against Sassuolo this Sunday.
Source: scotsman.com
