OPERATORS welcomed Sky’s decision to freeze prices for pubs and clubs – as it was confirmed newco Rangers will not play in the SPL next season.
The broadcast giant confirmed its plans early last week, two days before the SPL officially voted to deny the club a spot in the top flight, meaning there will be no Old Firm league clashes in the coming season.
Scottish Football League clubs are due to meet tomorrow (Friday July 13) to decide whether to accept the new Rangers and which division it will play in.
Sky said it was unable to comment on whether it would televise Rangers games in the lower leagues or on whether the SPL situation had any bearing on its decision to freeze prices.
Nick Arkless, owner of The Swan Inn in Stranraer, welcomed Sky’s freeze for this season but said the loss of Old Firm fixtures would have a “massive knock-on effect”.
“The Old Firm is the game that people are interested in,” he said. “Now that’s gone it will affect trade.
“But if Rangers played Stranraer in one of the divisions that would be massive for us.”
Sky said the price hold, which comes after it launched new discounts with Molson Coors, gives licensees “certainty over their subscription charges” until at least June 2013.
