Everything to know about Premier Sports TV return and what it means for SPFL as Viaplay rebrand takes hold

It's had more faces than Dr Who but the League Cup in Scotland will once again be the Premier Sports Cup from next season as Viaplay sell up after less than two years.

Eagle-eyed punters might have noticed the change on Tuesday morning as Viaplay Sport, who bought Premier out and rebranded it in July 2022, is no more. Instead it's Premier Sports at the helm again as they take over the sporting operation, including the broadcast rights to certain Scottish games and the naming rights to the competition which Rangers won back in December.

It shouldn't mean too much change for paying customers or the clubs involved in the competition as it once again undergoes a facelift for 2024/25 - and will be the Premier Sports Cup again, as it was in 2021/22. But it's led to some confusion...so what does it all actually mean, and what's going to change? Record Sport have you covered.

Is Premier Sports the same as Viaplay?

Effectively, yes. In a press release sent round on Tuesday morning, the broadcaster were quick to reassure viewers that, in practice, the only changes will be superficial. Existing Viaplay subscribers don't have to do anything and no immediate changes have been announced to subscription prices.

The pay TV channels will be rebranded as Premier Sports 1 and 2, available on Sky channels 419 and 420, on Virgin as channels 551 and 552 and on Amazon Prime as an add on subscription. New subscribers can jump on board at www.premiersports.com.

When does it change?

Right now. The Premier Sports rebrand went live on Tuesday morning so all the new channels should be available on your platform of choice. If they're not, they will update soon.

What does it mean for the League Cup?

The Viaplay Sports Cup is history and the Premier Sports Cup is back. But, other than the name, nothing has changed.

Alongside the news that Premier Sports is live in the UK again, the broadcaster announced the dates for the 2024/25 competition which takes on the same established format as it has over the past seven seasons.

The draw for the group stages of the 2024/25 Premier Sports Cup will take place on Wednesday May 29 at 1.00pm, live on Premier Sports and the SPFL's socials. The group stage then kicks off on the weekend of July 14/15 2024 and the final taking place on December 15.

The group stage won't feature holders Rangers or runners up Celtic who are both headed into Europe next season while third and fourth in the Premiership - currently held by Hearts and Kilmarnock - will also receive byes into the knockout stage owing to European involvement. In the likely event that the Scottish Cup winners have already qualified for Europe via the league, fifth place will also be involved and receive a bye.