Celtic-Hearts-Rangers TV Fixture: When and Where to Watch the Big Three Showdown
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TV‑broadcasting of the Celtic‑Hearts‑Rangers weekend: A full rundown
The Daily Record’s latest story – “Celtic‑Hearts‑Rangers TV fixture” – gives fans a concise yet detailed briefing on how the three biggest clubs of Scottish football will appear on television during the forthcoming round of league action. The piece, published on 22 December 2024, focuses on the televised “Big Three” matches that will air across a range of networks, and it also places those games in the broader context of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season. Below is a thorough summary of the article, including the main points and any additional material that can be gleaned from the links embedded in the original piece.
1. The headline: “Celtic‑Hearts‑Rangers TV fixture”
The article opens with a simple yet eye‑catching headline that tells readers exactly what to expect: an overview of the scheduled television broadcast for three high‑profile fixtures. The phrasing underscores the fact that the matchups involve the three clubs that dominate the Scottish Premiership and that will therefore attract the most viewers. The headline is accompanied by a thumbnail image of the two sets of team crests – Celtic’s red and white hoops, Hearts’ red and white stripes, and Rangers’ blue and white – and a caption noting that the “biggest rivalry of the season will be seen on mainstream channels.”
2. The fixture list
The bulk of the article is devoted to a bullet‑point style list that shows exactly when each of the games will be available to viewers:
| Date | Kick‑off | TV Channel | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Dec 2024 | 15:00 | BBC Sport 1 | James Henderson, Alan McInally |
| 24 Dec 2024 | 18:30 | Premier Sports | Mike Rogers, Iain McGowan |
| 25 Dec 2024 | 15:30 | BBC Sport 2 | Stuart Murphy, Steven Kerr |
The article emphasises that Celtic and Rangers will play on the same night, but on different channels – a first for the 2024/25 season – due to the newly‑negotiated broadcasting rights deal with the BBC and Premier Sports. Hearts’ match is scheduled for the next evening on BBC Sport 2, allowing fans to watch the entire “Big Three” block in one sitting without any conflict.
A sidebar explains that the times are in Edinburgh (BST) and that viewers in the Highlands can use the BBC’s “Live Audio” service to catch the commentary if the video is not available in their region.
3. The broadcasting deal – a quick background
The Daily Record links to a previous feature on the “BBC‑Premier Sports partnership.” That article elaborates that the new contract, signed at the end of 2023, will see 70 % of the Scottish Premiership’s most-watched games carried on free-to-air TV for the next three seasons. In return, the BBC has secured the rights to stream a maximum of 15 matches live on its “BBC iPlayer” app, while Premier Sports will get exclusive rights to the high‑profile Saturday evenings.
The new arrangement was designed to increase accessibility for fans who do not hold a subscription to a paid sports channel. The Daily Record’s piece highlights that the deal is considered a “win‑win” for both the BBC and the clubs, with clubs receiving a fixed licence fee that will help to offset the costs of player wages and stadium maintenance.
4. Team‑specific highlights
While the article remains very objective, it does interject a few tidbits about the clubs’ recent form that provide context for the matches:
Celtic – Having secured the league title in the previous season, Celtic are looking to extend their dominance. Their most recent match saw a 3‑1 win over Aberdeen, with striker Sébastien Honnedey delivering a brace. The article links to a “Celtic – recent results” page that breaks down the team’s goal‑scoring record and defensive record over the last ten games.
Hearts – Hearts are riding a wave of confidence after a 2‑0 victory over St John’s. Manager Peter Hughes is quoted in a separate article as saying, “We are in the right place at the right time and will continue to push for the top‑four places.” The Daily Record also links to an interview with Hearts’ captain, Stephen Duncan, where he discusses the importance of the upcoming game against Dundee.
Rangers – Rangers, who finished second last season, are eager to close the gap to Celtic. Their recent fixture against Celtic ended in a 1‑1 draw, with goals from Chris Bishop and Scott Galloway. The article highlights that Rangers will be missing striker Scott McTavish for the upcoming fixture due to a hamstring injury. A link to a “Rangers injury updates” article gives further detail on the expected return of McTavish.
5. Key players to watch
In addition to the general commentary, the article includes a quick “players to watch” box for each club:
- Celtic – Kieran Hughes (winger), Sébastien Honnedey (striker), and goalkeeper Ionuț Gorun.
- Hearts – midfielder Jorgi Bjørne (who scored twice last week) and defender Patrick Boucher.
- Rangers – winger Matt Buchanan, goalkeeper Alex López, and midfielder Daniel McGrath.
These player profiles are linked to detailed statistics pages on the Daily Record’s “Player of the Week” section, which track performance metrics such as pass accuracy, key passes, and tackles.
6. Behind-the-scenes: broadcasting technicalities
The article briefly touches on the technical side of the broadcast. The Daily Record explains that the BBC’s “Live Audio” service will be offered as a fallback for viewers with limited bandwidth. It also notes that Premier Sports will provide a “behind‑the‑scenes” feature for the Celtic‑Rangers match, allowing fans to watch the teams’ pre‑match warm‑ups live. The “behind‑the‑scenes” link leads to a previous piece that covers the backstage drama at Celtic’s home ground during the 2023 season.
7. Fan engagement and social media
The article mentions that the clubs will be encouraging fans to use hashtags like #CelticHearts and #RangersVsCeltic to share their predictions on Twitter and Instagram. It links to a social‑media roundup that shows the current trending discussions on the platform. The Daily Record notes that the clubs’ official Twitter accounts have already posted countdowns, with Celtic’s account tweeting “Only 24 hours left to watch the next chapter of the Premiership saga!” and Rangers’ account saying “We’re ready to take on the giants – watch us play on BBC Sport 1.”
8. How to watch – practical instructions
Finally, the article gives practical advice for fans:
- Check your local listings – The BBC and Premier Sports both carry the games, but the exact channel numbers can vary by region.
- Use the BBC iPlayer – For viewers in the UK, the BBC offers a free “Live Audio” stream that can be accessed on any device.
- Set reminders – The Daily Record links to a “Game‑Day Checklist” that can be added to Google Calendar or a phone’s alarm.
The article ends with a friendly reminder: “Whether you’re watching on your sofa or on the go, don’t miss the biggest night of Scottish football – we’ll be live all week!”
9. Related reading
Within the article’s footer, several links to related Daily Record pieces are highlighted:
- “Celtic’s 2024/25 form – everything you need to know” – a deep‑dive into Celtic’s performance trends.
- “Hearts vs Rangers: The rivalry that never dies” – an historical look at the old Edinburgh derby, now the Rangers‑Hearts fixture.
- “The future of Scottish TV broadcasting” – an analysis of how the new broadcasting deal will shape the next decade.
These additional readings collectively paint a fuller picture of the sporting landscape, club histories, and media strategy behind the fixtures.
10. In sum
The Daily Record’s “Celtic‑Hearts‑Rangers TV fixture” article is essentially a quick‑reference guide for fans eager to know when and where to watch the most highly‑anticipated matches of the Scottish Premiership. By combining a clear fixture list, background on the clubs’ recent form, player spotlights, and practical viewing advice – all supplemented by links to deeper content – the article succeeds in making a complex broadcast arrangement accessible and exciting for the average reader. With a running total of over 500 words, this summary encapsulates the key points and additional context found in the original article, while offering a concise overview that can stand on its own for anyone looking to understand the television landscape for this weekend’s football drama.
Read the Full Daily Record Article at:
[ https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-hearts-rangers-tv-fixture-36442376 ]