The Saturday afternoon TV blackout for 3pm football games in the UK, in place for over 60 years, may be coming to an end. While games in the Premier League and English Football League cannot be shown live on TV during these times, the UK is the last country in Europe with this policy. The new Premier League TV deal will allow for up to 270 matches per season to be shown live, with the deal running until the end of the 2028-29 season. Similarly, Sky’s £935m five-year EFL deal will also run out at the same time, prompting a potential change in the blackout policy.
League chiefs are reportedly growing in their belief that the 3pm blackout policy is outdated and should be changed within the next five years. The Football Association, which has enforced the blackout since the 1960s to protect match attendances, had previously opposed lifting the policy. However, with the wishes of the leagues for a change in the policy, the FA may reconsider its stance. The existence of the blackout has contributed to the use of illegal streams and decoder boxes to broadcast international TV feeds in the UK.
Analyses by the EFL this season have shown little significant impact on match-day attendances despite the increase in Saturday lunchtime games being shown on TV. Additionally, the trend of more European football matches being moved to Sunday TV slots for top-flight teams could further influence a potential change in the policy. Last month, Premier League club bosses unanimously decided to end their partnership with media giant IMG and establish their own in-house production center, potentially leading to a direct-to-consumer offer for fans through a platform like “Premflix.”
With the potential for a direct-to-consumer offer in the future, the remaining Saturday 3pm matches could provide an opportunity for clubs to generate additional revenue. European football for seven to potentially eight top-flight teams next season could also entail more matches being moved from Saturday to Sunday TV slots. Overall, the changing landscape of media rights and fan consumption habits may push for a shift in the longstanding 3pm blackout policy in the UK, bringing it in line with other countries in Europe.
