BBC Sub-Licenses Serie A Rights for Scottish Players on BBC Alba & iPlayer

The BBC has expanded its football coverage with a new sub-licensing agreement with DAZN for Serie A, Italy’s top flight, securing the rights to broadcast eight live matches through the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The games will be shown on BBC Alba, the corporation’s Scots Gaelic-language network, and simultaneously available on the BBC iPlayer streaming service.

The deal is strategically focused on showcasing the growing Scottish presence in Serie A, which currently boasts a record seven players – Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay of Napoli, Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Che Adams (Torino), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), and recent arrival Kieron Bowie (Hellas Verona). With Scotland set to participate in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, the BBC is clearly aiming to capitalize on increased fan interest in its national team’s contingent playing at a high level abroad.

The partnership kicked off on February 15th with Bologna’s 2-1 victory over Torino, featuring Ferguson and Adams respectively. DAZN will continue to offer English-language broadcasts of the same matches, providing viewers with a choice of commentary options.

This move represents a significant increase in free-to-air coverage of Serie A in the UK. Previously, access to the league was largely limited to subscribers of DAZN and TNT Sports, which share broadcasting rights in the country. The BBC’s involvement provides a valuable platform for fans to follow the progress of Scottish players without a subscription fee.

The BBC’s acquisition of these Serie A rights is part of a broader trend of expanding its football portfolio under the leadership of Head of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who joined the corporation in 2024. In November 2025, the BBC secured the rights to show highlights from Spain’s LaLiga until 2027. Around the same time, the broadcaster also retained its highlights package for the UEFA Champions League for the 2027-31 cycle. Prior to that, in October 2025, the BBC secured rights to broadcast Friday night matches from Germany’s Bundesliga through 2027, and agreed to a five-year deal to air live matches from UEFA’s Women’s Champions League starting with the 2025-26 season.

The seven Scottish players currently competing in Serie A collectively have 164 international caps for Scotland, highlighting the significance of this influx of talent to the Italian league. Napoli’s Gilmour is currently recovering from an injury, having been sidelined for four months, but is nearing a return to fitness. The presence of these players not only enhances the quality of Serie A but also provides a compelling narrative for Scottish football fans.

DAZN’s initial UK rights deal for Serie A, secured ahead of the current season, encompasses all 10 matches per gameweek, with eight shown exclusively. The remaining two matches are broadcast by TNT Sports. The BBC’s sub-licensing agreement allows it to tap into DAZN’s existing infrastructure and expertise while focusing on a specific niche – the Scottish players – that resonates with a dedicated audience.

The decision to broadcast the matches on BBC Alba, a channel dedicated to Scots Gaelic, underscores the BBC’s commitment to providing culturally relevant content for Scottish viewers. The Gaelic-language commentary will further enhance the viewing experience for those who speak the language, while the availability on BBC iPlayer ensures that the matches are accessible to a wider audience across the UK.

The increased visibility of Scottish players in Serie A, coupled with the BBC’s expanded coverage, is expected to generate significant interest in the league and its stars, particularly as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The partnership between the BBC and DAZN represents a win-win situation, providing fans with more access to high-quality football and showcasing the talent of Scottish players on a global stage.