Sunday's electrifying Old Firm derby, which ended in a 3-3 draw between Rangers and Celtic, set a new TV viewership record for the SPFL.
The encounter, pivotal in the race for the cinch Premiership title, saw Sky Sports viewership numbers peak at 1.44 million, surpassing the previous record set in December 2019 when Rangers triumphed over Celtic with a 2-1 victory at Parkhead.
With the cinch Premiership heading towards an exhilarating conclusion, Celtic currently leads by a slender margin of one point atop the league table, while Rangers, with a game in hand, are hot on their heels.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL Group Chief Executive, expressed his elation at the record-breaking viewership figures: “It’s fantastic news to see record viewing numbers for Sunday’s big match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox.
“These figures demonstrate both the huge interest in this renowned fixture, as well as the increased appeal of our game across Scotland, the UK and beyond.
“The game itself certainly didn’t disappoint, and was hugely exciting for all supporters who tuned in.
“It promises to be a really dramatic end to the season, with even more big games to watch live on Sky Sports in the coming weeks, and I know the SPFL will continue to deliver the drama and excitement that our league is renowned for.”
Gary Hughes, Sky Sports Director of Football, also shared his enthusiasm for the record audience, attributing it to the compelling title race narrative that the Old Firm derby encapsulated.
He said: “It's great to see the excitement of the title race translate into a record audience for us at Sky Sports.
“It was a dramatic game and underlines the quality of the product on the pitch, which we are committed to continue growing alongside our partners at the SPFL.
“We're looking forward to bringing fans the closing stages of the season and the final Old Firm game, post-split."
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