The Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is being urged to review the current UK TV ban on “live” coverage of football matches with a 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off.
It follows the intervention of Rushcliffe councillor and Nottingham Forest supporter Mike Gaunt, who says it’s unfair that Forest matches can be watched overseas when streamed “live”, while it’s illegal to access the coverage here.
He wants the Culture Secretary to call in the football authorities to negotiate scrapping the so-called “3pm blackout”. It was introduced 60 years ago amid fears that live TV coverage of Saturday afternoon fixtures would reduce attendances, and financially hit the lower league clubs.
“We now have matches screened most nights, including Friday, Saturday lunchtimes and evening and it’s not really affected attendances at the grounds,” he said.
“This is now a perfect opportunity to review the broadcast restriction.”
The Article 48 Blackout regulations prevent the domestic TV broadcast of matches between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays, and pre-dates the availability of satellite screening of matches globally.
“Through streaming services, someone in Singapore can watch Forest matches live on a Saturday afternoon but people in Nottingham can’t, and that needs addressing.”
With the City Ground’s limited 30,000 capacity, many Forest fans are unable to watch their favourite team because there aren’t enough tickets available.
“At the moment, some fans are compelled to use some form of streaming system, where they’re breaking rules and the law, to watch football with their children.
“The government should also look at the impact of this illegal streaming criminalising people.
“It wouldn’t impact on the City Ground to lift the 3pm ban, but would mean young children can watch Forest with the family on a Saturday afternoon.”
As part of the review, he wants the Culture Secretary to bring together the football bosses, supporters’ organisations and grassroots clubs to review to economic and sporting impact of lifting the current 3pm broadcast ban.
“I understand that the lower league teams may have some concern about this, but that’ll be addressed as part of this reform.”
His campaign for a full review has got the backing of Rushcliffe Labour Party, which is to lobby the Culture Secretary on the issue.
The current broadcast blackout remains in force until the end of the 2028-29 season, and Councillor Gaunt believes any review should include the benefits of allowing pubs and the home-bound elderly or disabled fans from having access to Saturday afternoon “live” match coverage.
