Daily Mail: British football's 3pm TV blackout 'set to be scrapped'

Story from Daily Mail:

The 3pm blackout could be scrapped before the end of the decade – thanks largely to a slowing in precious TV revenues.

Dating back to a rule introduced in 1960, clubs in the UK cannot broadcast live football during the traditional Saturday afternoon slot.

That situation, however, may come to an end when the 2029-30 season kicks off with concerns raised throughout the Premier League over the figures behind the latest TV deal and a growing belief that the only way to make more money will be to show more matches.

The latest domestic agreement, for the 2025 to the 2029 cycle, was worth around £6.7bn. That represented an annual figure of £1.675bn, less than the £1.713bn raked in when a deal was struck in 2015 for the 2016 to 2019 seasons.

From next season, every Premier League match that does not kick-off at 3pm will be televised, while the EFL’s new deal which came in this season, more than 1,000 matches a year will be shown on Sky Sports.

Some execs across the EFL have seen a fall in the numbers of fans showing up to midweek winter matches that have been screened, especially during the recent cold snap. A subsequent reduction in season ticket sales could provide weight to the argument that the blackout should remain.

However, the EFL itself mulled ditching the measure for its latest deal and, with the UK being the only country in Europe where it is implemented, many see it as outdated.

The rise of illegal streams is another factor, with many buying firesticks to ensure they can beat the blackout, although the rising cost of subscriptions is seen as the major factor.

The blackout, which is aimed at protecting attendance figures, comes via UEFA approval following an application from the FA, the Premier League and EFL. Under the terms of the rule 50 per cent of matches in the top flight and Championship must be scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.

Given the differing starts, this season saw every EFL match from the opening weekend screened.