Scottish Premiership Play-off TV coverage confirmed

The SPFL has confirmed there will be live TV coverage of the 2014 Scottish Premiership Play-Off Final between Hibernian and Hamilton Academical.

The first leg of the final at New Douglas Park on Wednesday, May 21, will be shown exclusively live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Then on Sunday, May 25, the second leg takes place at Easter Road, marking the last game of the Scottish domestic football season, which will be screened live by BT Sport, kicking off at 3.30pm.

In addition to live TV coverage, BBC Scotland will provide comprehensive coverage of both games via live radio commentary, as well two TV highlights programmes on the nights of each leg, plus two short online highlights packages via the BBC Sport Scotland website.

Hibernian contested the last top-flight play-off at the end of the 1996/97 season, having finished ninth in the Scottish Premier Division.

Facing Airdrie, who had come second in the First Division, Hibs won the first leg 1-0 at Easter Road and ran out 4-2 winners in the second leg at Broadwood.

Back in the present day, Hamilton Academical booked their Scottish Premiership play-off final place against Hibernian with a solitary goal from Tony Andreu that gave them a 2-1 semi-final aggregate win over Falkirk.

Hibernian’s place in the dreaded Premiership play-off was confirmed after losing at home to Kilmarnock on the final day of the regular season, with Hibs declining to allow BT Sport to televise the match.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “Interest in the new Premiership Play-Off has been huge and the level of excitement is only set to increase further this week.

“We are delighted to confirm Sky Sports, BT Sport and BBC Scotland will all play a role in bringing both legs of the final to football fans across Scotland.”

Gary Hughes, Sky Sports Head of Football, said: “We are delighted to add the first ever Scottish Premiership Play-Off Final between Hamilton Academical and Hibernian to our unrivalled coverage of Scottish football which includes the SPFL, Scottish Cup and Scotland Internationals.

“The Play-Off Final will provide Sky Sports viewers with a thrilling conclusion to the story of another dramatic season of Scottish football.”

Simon Green, Head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport has thoroughly enjoyed its first season bringing fans the drama and storylines of an action-packed Scottish Professional Football League season.

Our team, led by Darrell Currie, Gary McAllister, Derek Rae and Stephen Craigan are looking forward to broadcasting the culmination of the season with the second leg of the Premiership Play-Off Final exclusively live from Easter Road. We wish both clubs the best of luck.”

Ewan Angus, Head of Sport, BBC Scotland, said: “The play-offs have provided an intriguing end to the season and I’m delighted our audiences can enjoy the highlights on television and online and full live radio commentary of the final two matches. It promises to be a thrilling finale.”

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