Scotland: BT Sport acquires exclusive TV rights of the new League Cup for 2016-2020

BT Sport has acquired exclusive distribution rights, in the United Kingdom, of the Scottish League Cup for the 2016-2020 cycle, on 07/12/2015. The pay-TV channel of the BT group has become the official media partner of the competition and will broadcast 13 live matches each season.

The SPFL announced a new format for the Scottish League Cup, sponsored by the British energy supplier Utilita, on 07/12/2015. Beginning in 2016-17, the competition will begin with a group stage, with eight groups of five teams (see below). Teams will play each other once; in case of a draw there will be no extra time, matches will be decided on penalty kicks and a bonus point will be awarded to the winners.

The eight winners of the four groups and the four best runners up will join the four Ladbrokes Premiership clubs qualified in European competition, who are exempt from the first round. The rest of the tournament will then be contested in a knockout format.

The current format of the Scottish League Cup includes six rounds compared to five in the new format (a group stage + four knockout rounds). This…