Viaplay has announced a series of cost-cutting measures after the announcement of multi-million-pound losses.

The Nordic broadcasters are big stakeholders in Scottish football and hold the sponsorship for one of the major cup competitions.

Here's what we know about the situation and how it could impact TV coverage in Scotland...

What happens to the League Cup? 

The straight answer is nothing. Well, nothing at the moment. 

There is no disruption expected to the TV scheduling of this season's Viaplay Cup. All regular payments have been made and the SPFL are relaxed about the situation.

The company is the main sponsor of the Scottish League Cup and exclusively holds the rights to broadcast matches live on TV.

Sources within Scottish football are certainly aware of the situation and are awaiting further correspondence on any developments from Viaplay.

READ MORE: Scottish FA & SPFL relaxed with Viaplay TV deal state of play revealed

But the games in the 2023/24 League Cup will be broadcasted on the channel as planned and the competition title sponsorship shall remain.

Motherwell vs Queen's Park will be shown on Viaplay this Saturday as planned, as will all of the other Viaplay Cup games.

What will happen to Scotland games?

As well as the SPFL, the Scottish FA are aware of the situation, and are likewise relaxed about it. 

Payments are up-to-date, and if Viaplay should eventually choose to pull its coverage of sports in the UK, then it's not up to the SFA to sell the rights of Scotland matches.

This responsibility of selling television rights for national team matches lies directly with UEFA. So, should Viaplay opt to step away from showcasing Scotland games, any impact should be minimal.

The Scottish Cup state of play

Similar to the Scotland national team's international matches, the Scottish Cup TV rights are not sold by the SFA.

Global entertaining company IMG holds the rights to broadcast the games. They currently sell them on to Viaplay, as well as BBC. 

It seems that if Viaplay does eventually omit to show Scottish football from their schedules, then IMG would fulfil the void with another broadcaster. Who that would potentially be is unknown at this time.

What are the future potential options?

Should Viaplay's exit from UK sports go through, as hinted, then it certainly would appear that the SPFL, UEFA, and IMG would be on the lookout for new broadcasters. 

With regards to the national team, UEFA say they're aware of the situation and have entered talks with all of the relevant stakeholders as they await further information from Viaplay.

With BBC already part of the Scottish Cup deal, it's reasonable to think they could be in the running to broadcast more games. 

TNT Sport, previously known as BT Sport, showed League Cup matches in years gone by. Likewise, Sky Sports used to have the sole rights to the Scottish Cup.

When approached by The Herald STV issued a positive response revealing they are 'actively exploring different ways' to showcase Scottish football on a 'free to air' basis.

It would be interesting to see where the rights to international matches go, with the likes of Channel 4 committed to showing England games.

What Viaplay have said

CEO Jorgen Madsen Lindemann's statement in full reads: "We are today announcing a new strategy and plan, which includes, but is not limited to, focusing on our core Nordic, Netherlands and Viaplay Select operations (which make available a wide range of Viaplay series, films and documentaries through partners around the world); implementing a new operational model; downsizing, partnering or exiting our other international markets; rightsizing and pricing our product offering in the Nordics; undertaking a major cost reduction program; and conducting an immediate strategic review of the entire business to consider all options, including content sublicensing, asset disposals, equity injections or the sale of the whole group.”