Premier League and EFL Hold Talks Over Scrapping Controversial TV Rule For Fans
The Premier League and the EFL will reportedly hold talks over scrapping a major TV rule that could impact fans.
The Premier League have already produced several dramatic moments in the 25/26 season, with the action set to resume on Boxing Day.
Unlike the last few years, there will not be a full set of fixtures on Boxing Day this year, with the only match taking place at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will host Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will return to action on Saturday.
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On Sunday, there will be two matches, with Sunderland, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur in action.
Ahead of the football returning, it has been reported that the Premier League and the EFL will hold talks over a major deal that could see the Saturday 3pm blackout removed.
Currently, Premier League and EFL matches played on a Saturday at 3pm are not broadcast live on TV.
As a result, there has been a growth in fans using illegal streaming platforms in order to watch their favourite teams play on a Saturday afternoon.
According to The Guardian, the Premier League and the 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'.
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It has been stated that the United Kingdom is the only country yet to drop the 3pm blackout, but the Premier League and the EFL are eager to sell all their games to broadcasters.
Ahead of the 25/26 season, it was revealed that a record amount of matches are being shown on live TV, with most of them broadcast on Sky Sports.
However, both the Premier League and the EFL believe that selling every single match will be the only way to generate more revenue.
It has been claimed that the EFL's deal with Sky Sports is not set to expire until the conclusion of the 28/29 season, but will go to the market in early 2027. As a result, the EFL will need to know what can be offered to potential bidders.
Meanwhile, the Premier League will reportedly do the same later in 2027.
The current 3pm blackout relates to UEFA's Article 48, which states that broadcast of live football can be banned for “two and a half hours on a Saturday or a Sunday”.
It is believed that the FA will not stand in the way if the leagues want Article 48 to be dropped.
However, due to the fact that Article 48 also applies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the Premier League and the EFL may face calls for compensation from the leagues in those countries.
There is a concern that lifting Article 48 could have a negative effect on matchday attendances in stadiums across the country.
Topics: Premier League, Football
Marcus Chan