BBC Sport understands that the SPFL’s next television rights tender includes the possibility of broadcasters bidding to show all matches live, including Saturday 3pm kick-offs, potentially ending the 3pm blackout in the UK. The SPFL said it was 'flexible about the number of games' in the deal, which is due to begin in the 2029-30 season.
The 3pm blackout, which prevents live broadcast of matches between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays, was introduced due to fears that televised games at 3pm could affect attendances at the clubs involved and those lower down the divisions too. It is now only applied in the United Kingdom.
The SPFL's tender document is structured on the basis that broadcasters will not seek to impose Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes, which allows leagues to set a blackout window. Under current rules, the blackout can only be enforced when at least 50% of matches in a country's top two divisions are played at the same time. Other leagues now tend to stagger kick-off times so their top divisions do not all play at the same time.
The current Scottish Premiership broadcast deal allows Sky Sports to show up to 60 matches per season and Premier Sports up to 22, meaning only 36% of the 228 top-flight fixtures are televised live. Any new deal would need the approval of eight of the 12 Premiership clubs.
The development comes as the broadcast rights for the Premier League, English Football League and SPFL all expire in 2028-29, creating a potential window for a coordinated approach. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said in August that the direction of travel was to end the blackout, but any decision would be about 18 months away and would be taken in consultation with the EFL and FA.
However, Scotland ending the blackout would not automatically mean English, Welsh and Northern Irish football follow suit. Clubs could still opt to reject an offer that included Saturday 3pm games.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Could transform how football is consumed in the UK, especially for fans who rely on attending matches in person.
- Lower league clubs may gain new revenue streams from streaming their own fixtures.
- Sets a precedent for other UK football leagues to reconsider the long-standing blackout.
Background
The 3pm blackout was introduced in the 1960s to protect attendances across the football pyramid. Article 48 of the UEFA statutes gives national associations the right to enforce a blackout if at least 50% of top two division matches are played simultaneously. The UK is now the only country in Europe that still applies the blackout.
Key Perspectives
SPFL: says it is "flexible about the number of games" in the new tender and does not require broadcasters to enforce Article 48.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters: indicated in August that the direction of travel is to end the blackout, but any decision is 18 months away and will involve consultation with the EFL and FA.
Critics of the blackout: argue that it hinders clubs' ability to exploit streaming revenue, especially at lower levels of the game.
What to Watch
- Whether any broadcaster bids to show all 228 Scottish Premiership matches live, including Saturday 3pm games.
- The vote of the 12 Premiership clubs, which requires eight approvals for any new deal.
- A decision from the Premier League, expected within 18 months of Masters' August statement, on whether to end its own blackout.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedScottish football has taken a step towards ending the UK’s 3pm TV blackout.BBC Scotland: “The first tentative steps to end the 3pm television blackout in the UK have been taken by Scottish football”
- SupportedThe SPFL tender leaves open the possibility of broadcasters bidding to show all matches live, including Saturday afternoon games.BBC Scotland: “BBC Sport understands this includes the possibility that broadcasters could bid to show all matches live - including those shown on a Saturday afternoon.”
- SupportedThe new deal is due to begin in the 2029-30 season.BBC Scotland: “The SPFL has said that it is "flexible about the number of games" that will form part of the new deal, which will kick in from the 2029-30 season.”
- SupportedThe SPFL said it was “flexible about the number of games” in the deal.BBC Scotland: “The SPFL has said that it is "flexible about the number of games" that will form part of the new deal”
- SupportedThe blackout prevents live broadcasts of matches between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays.BBC Scotland: “Games currently cannot be shown live between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on a Saturday.”
- SupportedThe SPFL tender is structured on the basis that the broadcaster does not seek to impose Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes.BBC Scotland: “The SPFL has created a tender with the greatest flexibility on the basis that the broadcaster does not seek to impose Article 48 of the Uefa Statutes.”
- SupportedArticle 48 allows leagues to set a blackout window.BBC Scotland: “Article 48 allows leagues to set specific times when matches are banned from being shown live on television.”
- SupportedThe blackout can only be enforced when at least 50% of matches in a country's top two divisions are played at the same time.BBC Scotland: “It can only be enforced when 50% of matches in a country's top two divisions are played at the same time.”
- SupportedThe current deal allows Sky Sports to show up to 60 Premiership matches per season and Premier Sports to show up to 22.BBC Scotland: “Under the current terms, Sky Sports can show up to 60 Premiership matches a season, with Premier Sports showing up to 22.”
- SupportedOnly 36% of the 228 top-flight matches are shown live under the current deal.BBC Scotland: “In total, there are 228 games in the top flight, meaning only 36% of matches are shown live under the current broadcast deal.”
- SupportedA new deal would require approval from eight of the 12 Premiership clubs.BBC Scotland: “Any decision would then be up to the Premiership's 12 member clubs, with eight votes required to approve a deal.”
- SupportedThe Premier League, EFL and SPFL rights deals all end in 2028-29, creating an opportunity for the leagues to coordinate.BBC Scotland: “The upcoming broadcast cycle provides a unique opportunity for all leagues to come together and reach a consensus, as the rights deals for the Premier League, EFL and SPFL all end in 2028-29.”