Can You Televise 3pm Kick Offs in England? The EFL Blackout Lifts
The long-standing 3pm blackout on televised football in England is seeing a shift. Sky Sports, as part of a new £935m deal with the English Football League (EFL), is set to broadcast 1,000 lower-league fixtures in the 2024-25 season, including 3pm kick-offs. This marks a significant increase in their live sports coverage, expanding by 50% from the previous season.
The End of the 3pm Blackout for the EFL?
The traditional Saturday 3pm blackout, designed to protect match attendance, won’t apply to these EFL games. This is because Premier League matches, which are subject to the blackout, won’t be scheduled simultaneously. Sky’s commitment ensures each of the 72 EFL clubs will be featured live on 20 occasions. The season will kick off and conclude with a full round of televised fixtures.
Increased Access for Fans: Sky Sports+ and Streaming
Viewers will have unprecedented access to matches through Sky Sports+, an expanded streaming service capable of showing up to 100 live events concurrently. This allows fans to choose from all EFL fixtures on offer. For those attending matches, Sky has pledged to announce its game selections earlier, ensuring all live fixtures before the FA Cup third round are known pre-season, and games up to March are decided by November.
Sky Sports’ Commitment to Lower League Football
Jonathan Licht, Managing Director of Sky Sports, hailed the EFL coverage on the weekend of August 10-11 as a pivotal moment for football fans nationwide. He emphasized the enhanced coverage for lower-league clubs without any added cost for Sky subscribers. Sky plans to showcase 10 live EFL matches each weekend: five from the Championship and five combined from Leagues One and Two. Midweek match rounds will also be broadcast in their entirety, each with dedicated commentary teams.
Addressing Concerns for Match-Going Fans
Licht acknowledged concerns about shifting kick-off times impacting match-going fans. He reassured that Sky takes this responsibility seriously, striving to select matches promptly and provide ample notice to fans. He highlighted the increasing complexities in coordinating with safety officials, police, and other competitions, which contribute to scheduling decisions.
Expanding Premier League Coverage
Beyond the EFL, Sky’s expanded coverage extends to the Premier League from 2025-26, adding 100 extra matches and broadcasting a minimum of 215 live top-flight games. This reinforces Sky’s commitment to bringing more live football to viewers. This substantial investment in broadcasting rights signifies a new era for football viewership in England, potentially altering the landscape of match attendance and fan engagement. The lifting of the 3pm blackout for EFL games could be a significant test case for the future of football broadcasting.
