MOST people believe Scotland football games should be live on free-to-view television, according to a survey of viewers.
Even the majority of non- football fans back such a move, according to figures released by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission yesterday.
The national side's home matches are currently broadcast on subscription channel Sky Sports, while fellow
pay-TV broadcaster Setanta has rights to the away games. Alex Salmond, the First Minister, has branded it "unacceptable" that the only forthcoming World Cup qualifiers to be screened on terrestrial TV in Scotland would be England's home matches.
He demanded action from broadcasters and Westminster to ensure Scotland's qualifiers are shown on terrestrial TV. The Public Attitudes to Broadcasting survey found 53 per cent of Scots were interested in watching live Scottish football.
Of these, 96 per cent said Scotland internationals should be live on terrestrial TV.
A Scottish Football Association spokesman said it had "every sympathy" with fans, but it needed the funding from TV deals to develop grassroots football.
The survey saw more than 1,000 people interviewed and 82 per cent expressed an interest in a new television channel for people living in Scotland.
About two-thirds felt the level of Scottish news coverage was currently about right.
Almost half of Scots were satisfied with the way Scotland is reported on UK news programmes, while 36 per cent were dissatisfied. The concept of a "Scottish Six" news programme was also backed by a majority of respondents.
The full article contains 255 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
