The Saturday 3pm Blackout

[Darran]

Premier League and EFL to hold talks over ending Saturday 3pm blackout

The Premier League and EFL will hold talks early next year about combining to permit 3pm Saturday kick-offs to be broadcast live each week for the first time

www.theguardian.com

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

About time IMO. Will be interesting who gets the rights and if they end up offering a ‘club specific’ package or just bundle all games into an increased price subscription.

Will probably have an impact on away attendances - I know I’d have weighed up some of the longer trips if it was available at home/in the pub.

Those worried about people watching Liverpool/Man United on TV instead of coming to the stadium are focussing on the wrong people. There’s 1000s of others in the local area that we should be targeting in terms of maintaining and increasing attendances in the future.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

It needs to happen, it's a stupid rule, the tech has been there for decades to televise all matches, it's time they made full use of it. Handled sensibly, it's a guaranteed additional money spinner for every club.

 

[JustJack]

I thought the stumbling block was a piece of legislation?

These two could have agreed this years ago, its getting it passed some moron in parliament that is the problem

 

[exiledclaseboy]

I thought the stumbling block was a piece of legislation?

These two could have agreed this years ago, its getting it passed some moron in parliament that is the problem

There’s no law involved. It’s a UEFA regulation that countries can invoke or not invoke as they choose.

 

[Longlostjack]

It needs to happen, it's a stupid rule, the tech has been there for decades to televise all matches, it's time they made full use of it. Handled sensibly, it's a guaranteed additional money spinner for every club.

So that they can pay higher wages to the players in a zero sum game?

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

So that they can pay higher wages to the players in a zero sum game?

I was thinking more for the benefit of fans who can't get to games in the flesh, such as disabled supporters or people who live too far away. Amongst others.

No doubt there could be downsides, but it just strikes me as faintly ridiculous that games have been beamed across the globe for well over 20 years but the one country that can't watch on a screen is the one the games are actually played in.

 

[JustJack]

There’s no law involved. It’s a UEFA regulation that countries can invoke or not invoke as they choose.

Forgive my memory but did MPs not vote against revoking it this year?

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Forgive my memory but did MPs not vote against revoking it this year?

No.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

You may be thinking of the list of “crown jewel” sporting events that have to be show on free to air TV, which are legislated for.

 

[Resolvenjack]

You may be thinking of the list of “crown jewel” sporting events that have to be show on free to air TV, which are legislated for.

Like the Commonwealth games in Glasgow you mean, which will now be screened on TNT/Discovery with the BBC being 'allowed' delayed coverage now unless they can agree something with the main broadcaster. So much for legislation!

 

[Smurph]

Forgive my memory but did MPs not vote against revoking it this year?

I think they rejected a petition for the 3pm ban to be reviewed/lifted.

 

[JustJack]

You may be thinking of the list of “crown jewel” sporting events that have to be show on free to air TV, which are legislated for.

It was a detail in the 'Football regulator' debate in July

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcumeds/792/792i.pdf

They rejected a clause that the regulator would seek to change the blackout

 

[K23]

So that they can pay higher wages to the players in a zero sum game?

Or course, what other motivation do they need?

 

[K23]

Non-premier supporting dad to football mad youngster: are you coming to the match on Saturday

Son: no thanks, Liverpool /Man City /Arsenal (delete as appropriate) are on this week