Viaplay have allayed fears that Northern Ireland’s Nations League games with Belarus and Bulgaria will be broadcast without commentators.
With no television deal in place, the Scandinavian broadcaster will stream the two games on its YouTube channel.
The majority of international games screened on Viaplay’s YouTube feed do not have commentators, with viewers left to fend for themselves.
However, Viaplay informed the Belfast Telegraph: “We have a top quality, experienced commentary team in place for both games.”
The Belfast Telegraph understands that former Northern Ireland international Stephen Craigan will be co-commentator for both fixtures.
Former Radio Ulster Sportsound reporter Barry Greene will commentate on Saturday’s match against Belarus, which will be played behind closed doors in Hungary, while Michael Clarke is behind the microphone for Tuesday’s game with Bulgaria at Windsor Park.
Clarke has commentated on several Northern Ireland internationals for Viaplay in recent years.
However, there will be no studio analysis or pitchside reporter working on either game. Previously, Graham Little acted as presenter for Viaplay with studio guests including the likes of David Healy.
The Swedish company agreed a contract with UEFA in 2022 to televise Northern Ireland’s Nations League, Euro Qualifiers and World Cup Qualifiers live until 2028.
However, the subscription service has since axed their linear television channels and dropped out of the UK market.
In September, Viaplay struck a late subletting deal with ITV that allowed Northern Ireland’s home game with Luxembourg and trip to Bulgaria to be broadcast on television.
Both ITV and BBC have tried to strike a similar deal for October’s two games, but were unable to come to a last-minute agreement.
As such, Viaplay will broadcast both Saturday’s trip to Hungary to face Belarus and the home game with Bulgaria at Windsor Park on YouTube.
Gary McAllister of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs said: “It appears the forthcoming Northern Ireland games will be shown by Viaplay on their YouTube channel.
“I’d heard a suggestion earlier that this might be the outcome. The ongoing last-minute wait for confirmation of match coverage is far from ideal and needs a proper solution.”