THE SCOTTISH Professional Football League (SPFL) has extended its broadcasting contract with BBC Scotland.

A four-year deal has been finalised, ensuring BBC Sport Scotland will continue to provide TV and online highlights and live radio commentary of Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 matches from season 2016/17.

Supporters will now receive enhanced match coverage on the broadcaster's Sunday night Sportscene programme, as well as additional social media clips, highlights on the BBC Sport Scotland website and live radio commentary on Sportsound.

SPFL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, said: "This is fantastic news for Scottish football fans. Everyone at the SPFL is delighted that our long-standing partnership with BBC Scotland has been extended by another four years in this new and significantly improved deal for both parties."

BBC Scotland's head of sport, Ewan Angus, said: "We firmly believe this new deal will benefit Scottish football as a whole by enhancing Sportscene’s match highlights through increased camera provision and also allowing us to offer footage for fans on social media."

The new BBC contract was approved by Ladbrokes Premiership clubs and the SPFL Board and follows news from earlier this season that Sky Sports and BT Sport will continue to broadcast live Ladbrokes Premiership matches until the end of season 2019/20.