SKY SPORTS still have THIRTEEN live matches available to broadcast under Premiership deal – even though there are only six rounds of fixtures remaining this season.
This weekend is the last chance for teams to claim a top-six spot with SEVEN teams chasing THREE available spots.
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As soon as the split is confirmed, the league will be able to allocate slots for the five remaining rounds of the season.
Celtic are in the driving seat to win the league title after extending their lead at the top of the table to six points after their Old Firm Ibrox win.
It’s still all to play for but it’s Ange Postecoglou’s side who goes into the final games as the favourites to clinch a double and potential treble.
But with just a few games remaining this season, Sky Sports still have a total of 13 contracted matches to show as per their agreed contract with the SPFL.
The contract with the league body allows them to show 48 matches a season – plus the Premiership play-offs.
But when the broadcaster shows St Mirren v Rangers on Sunday, it will be only the 35th live top-flight match of the season in the UK.
Premiership sides can host live Sky games on no fewer than five occasions per season – and Tynecastle has already hosted FOUR live matches.
It all means Saturday’s Premiership clash between Hearts and Hibs at Tynecastle WON’T be on the telly – meaning it can proceed with a 3pm Saturday kick-off for the first time in 16 years.
That’s good news for the Jambos, who can benefit from any additional pay-per-view revenue which the game might generate.
While Sky could theoretically screen as many as THREE matches in any matchday, in practice they are unlikely to fulfil their entire quota of matches.
Last season they only screened 41 of their allotted 48 matches.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page