In the The Times, Martyn Ziegler ​reported​ that the rules that prevent football being in shown live in the UK between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on a Saturday might finally dropped. Thanks goodness for that – it has been a bug bear of mine for a while. We’re probably going to have to wait until 2028 to get there though.
As Ziegler noted, the basis of the rules was to encourage people to both go to games and play the sport. However, in a world of streaming and VPNs they are totally arcane. If someone is determined enough to watch their team on TV, they can and will do so. The sport itself might as well increase revenue from TV rights and maybe even a direct to consumer option. Sports like baseball and the NFL provide streaming services that show almost all games. That the Premier League, in 2024 does not and cannot is ridiculous.
Coverage of the Women’s Super League has also been affected as the league is not exempt either. Matches being available on YouTube has been really beneficial this season. Being able to watch matches on TV, as well as go to them, is crucial for the growth of the women’s game. Time to modernise.
