EFL to consider scrapping 3pm TV blackout

[Northerner]

The EFL will ask clubs if they want to scrap the 3pm Saturday blackout rule this summer.
Debate over whether this will affect attendances or just another revenue stream?

TV blackout

 

[Diego]

Hmmm. It’s very easy to get round anyway these days so not really sure what the best thing is.

 

[coluka]

I wish I could have blacked out the last 4 home games

 

[Air Resistance]

It’s a nope from me, even though it would probably benefit me. I’m assuming this will be in an attempt to increase the televised games.

 

[Northerner]

Think it will affect walk ups mainly.
Freezing cold February day, chucking it down. Shall I venture out to watch my local league side who aren't doing too well, or do a one off stream instead.
If paying for a stream would I choose my local side or cherry pick a game from anywhere in country?
Think the money would go to those who already have money.

 

[changingman]

I'd be up for this, although I could be convinced otherwise by revenue split (gate v TV).

Does anyone know how ours looks recently?

 

[Colgates_shaving_foam]

I'd just about keep the blackout I think on balance.

I know it's really easy to use a vpn and stream home games now but I like the fact there is no live TV football at 3pm on a Saturday.

 

[Anthony_Lowney]

Would this prevent the likelihood of long distance away games being changed to a 12:30 kick off? If so then I might be keen on this

 

[SuperStu]

If paying for a stream would I choose my local side or cherry pick a game from anywhere in country?

Not sure about that like. Couldn't see myself ever going out of my way to pay for a stream for some other random football league match.

I do pay for most boro matches as obviously they're my team. During lockdown I streamed a few Sutton Utd matches in the national league as they're my local team. I'll watch whatever happens to be on sky sports if I have time.

But to go on say Fulhams website, and pay to watch their games? Not a chance. Why would I?

 

[Northerner]

Would this prevent the likelihood of long distance away games being changed to a 12:30 kick off? If so then I might be keen on this

That's a good point but expect they would still want to spread the games out

 

[ThePrisoner]

Think it will affect walk ups mainly.
Freezing cold February day, chucking it down. Shall I venture out to watch my local league side who aren't doing too well, or do a one off stream instead.
If paying for a stream would I choose my local side or cherry pick a game from anywhere in country?
Think the money would go to those who already have money.

It would work for cold February night matches. Clubs might end up taking more money, but it could backfire badly if applied to all games so can't see that happening unless a club is already fully sold out for the season.

 

[rob_fmttm]

It will be terrible for smaller clubs if the bigger clubs vote to change.
I heard some evidence from lower division and non league clubs earlier this season indicating that it could kill them off if this was lifted. It was Cheltenham and non league clubs in that area that had done a survey. So, the stats are there to show that it could only greatly hurt clubs - only a chosen few would receive any financial benefit.

 

[coluka]

I would worry about the potential loss of ST revenue from people who live a good distance away. It costs me around £22 round trip including parking at the factory on Dockside Rd on top of my SC at present. I therefore invest around £1050 a year to watch Boro at home, all in. If they charge a tenner to watch online then thats £230-£250 a year (2 cup games thrown in). At current prices £800 is a lot for 23 Bovrils. I am happy to keep doing that and hopefully fuel will come down in price to help. I love the matchday experience. I enjoy going to several away games too, I am lucky I can afford it.

However, I appreciate lots travel much further than I do and will shell out significantly more, but such a move might encourage a few to re-assess their priorities and potential savings. People can watch via their VPN’s now anyway, so I’d leave it or let a lower league trial it to see what effect it has on attendances if they want to. I think revenue overall would decline though, and lets not forget It would also impact the wider matchday businesses like pubs, hotels, stallholders, parking lots etc.

 

[rob_fmttm]

That's a good point but expect they would still want to spread the games out

No it wouldn't - it is actually Ofcom that insists on multiple timings for games. They don't take into account match going fans at all - they want as many windows for tv fans as possible.

Last season without live fans was completely soulless - we must learn the lessons and protect the live match going experience.

 

[JM14]

Scrap it, football is out of reach for significant amounts of the population due to cost, allowing fans to see more games isnt a bad thing. If clubs want fans back in they will have to adjust their pricing

 

[JM14]

No it wouldn't - it is actually Ofcom that insists on multiple timings for games. They don't take into account match going fans at all - they want as many windows for tv fans as possible.

Last season without live fans was completely soulless - we must learn the lessons and protect the live match going experience.

Dropping prices would protect the live match going experience, hardly surprising that £31 for a walk up ticket isnt exactly affordable for most in the area. Thats what is killing attendances nothing else

 

[London_Boro]

I don't get to many games these days unfortunately, so from a purely selfish point of view, it would benefit me However, I'd still say that 3pm games should be left alone to get people in the ground.

 

[ThePrisoner]

If they charge a tenner to watch online then thats £230-£250 a year (2 cup games thrown in).

I doubt it would stay at £10. More likely £20 with some 'exclusive' interviews thrown in.

 

[TeaCider]

I've been able to watch every match this season and it hasn't stopped me going to home matches.

I'm still going to Preston despite being able to watch it in the comfort of my own home for £10.

I get the arguments against it, but I think they've been made irrelevant by VPNs.

 

[Nano]

It will be terrible for smaller clubs if the bigger clubs vote to change.
I heard some evidence from lower division and non league clubs earlier this season indicating that it could kill them off if this was lifted. It was Cheltenham and non league clubs in that area that had done a survey. So, the stats are there to show that it could only greatly hurt clubs - only a chosen few would receive any financial benefit.

No offence Rob but as someone that attends every single match you don't really know what it is like for those of us that don't/can't. There are many of us that would massively welcome the opportunity to see our team without having to be there in person. As it stands the people that can get to the match or people that live abroad can watch it via a stream. Those of us that live in the UK but can't go to the match have to miss out. Surely, it's only fair that we are all given the opportunity to see our team when the technology exists to do so?

If people aren't attending because watching it on TV is better value for money then that is something the club have to figure out. We've discussed on here many times how the prices for walk-ups are unreasonably high. Personally I attend as many games as I can make but that is 5-10 per season but that is logistical, not cost. There must be 1000s on Teesside that want to watch us but can't afford to go. It seems elitist to just discount all the people that can't go every week, Football should be for everyone and if it doesn't work financially it's because players are being paid too much, not because fans aren't paying enough.