CURRIE today became the first rugby club to give a cautious welcome to proposals which could lead to the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership being screened live on a new BBC channel.
The scheme, which would involve Gaelic language broadcaster BBC Alba, formed part of discussions at a recent Premier Division One clubs' meeting.
Iain Russell, director of rugby at Currie, said: "We were circulated by Scottish Rugby and clubs ask
ed if they would be in favour of broadcasting matches on the Gaelic channel."
Stressing any dialogue was at an early stage, Russell added: "At the end of the day, we are trying to grow the club game and it would be nice to get any sort of (extra) exposure. If television can generate interest and people can see the quality of the rugby which I believe exists, then it is worth considering."
Among the points requiring further investigation, according to Russell, include clarifying which regions would receive broadcasts.
Also, could English commentary be made available in the same way that it is on Welsh language channel S4C, which shows rugby on a regular basis.
Other concerns include the possibility of matches being switched to either Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons.
Russell acknowledged that this had the potential to be a deal-breaker, saying clubs would have to balance extra exposure – including for their sponsors – against the impact on match-day bar revenues.
It is also understood that English language commentary might be provided through the official website of Scottish Rugby, who are known to be driving plans to raise the profile of the Premiership. "There are too many questions at the moment which are unanswered for Currie to make a decision. It is all well and good being on a website but people would have to be pro-active in seeking it out," said Russell.
Another Premiership Division One source, who declined to be named, hinted that broadcasting coverage – believed to be conducted by full outside broadcast units comprising at least five cameras – could be up and running before the Autumn international programme kicks off in November.
"Premiership Division One matches could start being broadcast in weeks rather than months. It is very much a matter of watch this screen," the source said.
He confirmed that any firm proposals would first have to be placed before club committees for approval.
Odds in favour of a "yes" vote appeared to be strengthening, though, as another clubs' insider wishing to remain anonymous, said: "There is a general feeling in favour of the whole thing, albeit questions remain unanswered.
"Some clubs will have doubts about playing on Sundays but overall it could add to exposure and get extra people in to games."
Scottish Rugby have been unwilling to comment on the project and the BBC have still to respond to Evening News enquiries.
However, it is well known that discussions with broadcasters are high on the Murrayfield authorities' agenda.
After the governing body's annual meeting in June, chief executive Gordon McKie spoke of the need for a "robust broadcasting strategy".
The full article contains 518 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
