Issue 60 - Ending The Blackout

All football everywhere. That has always been the plan. A plan that seems to be withstood with some might. Will that might finally weaken in the next few years? Read all about it below. That and a Premier League preview. Issue 60. Go.

Breaking With Tradition

The 3pm Saturday kickoff. The holy grail of English football. The last true bastion of tradition. The one thing that has been protected at all costs even with millions of pounds attempting to remove it.

For those who are unaware, the 3pm blackout is in place to protect matchday attendances from not being decimated by armchair viewers. A rule that has been in place for more than 60 years.

The theory being that if you had in interest in Leyton Orient’s visit of Barnsley, but also knew that Tottenham were playing host to Brentford at the same time on Saturday afternoon, the likelihood is you would go along and watch the O’s.

However, if Spurs were being shown on TV at 3pm and you could not be bothered to go from North to East London and would rather stay home in the dry, you could instead watch Thomas Frank’s men from the comfort of your settee.

A result for keeping dry in the winter months, not a result for Leyton Orient as they have just lost out on a ticket sale - chances are, it would not just be the one iteration of this example playing out.

The greater the opportunity to show Premier League matches, the less desire to go and watch games lesser down the pyramid. That has been the mindset for six decades plus, the mindset could change once and for all.

The Guardian Article

Change that could come with the blackout finally being scrapped once and for all and not only would this mean all Premier League games would be available to be screened via legitimate UK means, the same could be said for the EFL as well.

Picture the scene, EVERY GAME from the top four tiers of English football being screened across a weekend. 46 matches across multiple platforms, hermits would never even need to dream of living the house ever again!

The Premier League have been testing the idea of removing the barrier to 3pm’s for quite some time but have been mindful of firing up the EFL’s ire for the example I listed above. The only way it works is if both ententies demand such seismic change.

If both the Premier League and the EFL are both pro-removal, then the Leyton Orient/Tottenham example is no more. The greater concern would be for those teams that operate within the non-league areas of the pyramid.

The Tottenham or Leyton Orient playing at 3pm, then has a knock-on effect for teams such as Enfield in North London. Any potential floating fan will be spoiled for televisual choice rather than seeing a game live in the wild.

Only the hardcore fans will still (not him) vote with their feet, but their vote will not have enough of a mandate when you can watch Bournemouth vs Burnley as part of your ongoing Sky subscription.

Broadcast The Revolution

While it is the broadcasters who will ultimately be the big winners if the blackout of English football is finally ended on Saturday’s. The latest Premier League deal already has the most live games available, there is not many more pieces of silver left to give away.

To stop the broadcasting bubble from bursting, the Premier League have to offer even more matches in order to get at least the same value for its sale of rights, the interest of the likes of Netflix and Paramount may be a good thing, but it is probably too early for them to benefit.

Therefore, if the Premier League and the EFL for that matter want to command the same spend from Sky Sports and TNT when the next bidding cycles open up, they have to be prepared to offer everything they have.

You can only do that, if you say 3pm Saturday games are also table.

What Happens Next

So let’s assume the blackout is removed, 3pm Saturday televised games are the norm.

What happens in 4-5 years time when the Premier League have to court broadcasters once again? How can they maximise revenue when they have nothing left to offer?

That is the problem for then, now they simply worry about what is in front of them and the answer is to put everything in front of you.

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Ten Quick Tackles

A look at the main talking points as we head into the upcoming Premier League midweek schedule.

Burnley vs Newcastle

Burnley return to Turf Moor having picked up a point at Everton on Saturday, a result that means the Clarets have avoided defeat in each of their last two outings. Some form of progress for Scott Parker’s men but not enough when you consider the uptick that fellow promoted outfit Leeds have displayed in recent weeks.

They welcome Newcastle to Lancashire in just a few hours and with the Magpies continuing to stutter on the road, Burnley may even identify this clash as one that sees them finally return to winning ways. Both teams need a win, arguably Eddie Howe’s men more so. It could be rather ugly if they do not return to Tyneside with three points.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

The top four starting edge clear of Chelsea, the Blues still in the frame when it comes to earning Champions League qualification. Is this the outline of their campaign for the second half of proceedings? Do the board want more or are they happy with Enzo Maresca being largely a yes man at Stamford Bridge.

These theories will be tested when they welcome Bournemouth to West London this evening and with Andoni Iraola’s men now having failed to win any of their last nine league outings, the Cherries will be looking to stop the rot before the start of 2026 kicks in. The Vitality Stadium outfit look safe for now, only because West Ham do not look safe at all.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton

Nottingham Forest currently find themselves five points clear of the relegation zone and although they have lost both their last two league outings, you get the feeling of calmness around the City Ground. At least calm for now under Sean Dyche, even more so if they can get something at home to Everton this evening.

As for the Toffess, their daliance with the top six feels like something of a fever dream after they have since picked up just a single point from the last nine on offer. Once again, no need for crisis talks in the blue half of Merseyside, they just find themselves in the choppy waters of the ever larging midtable pack. A point would see little complaints from David Moyes.

West Ham vs Brighton

West Ham have to find that winning feeling once again. It is is simple as that. It is no win in seven for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men before the visit of Brighton this evening. It is also three successive defeats for the ailing East London side. Their fans already seem to have a resignation to relegation, their owners simply not in the mood for resigning.

As for Brighton, their run of five games without a win may have gone slightly under the radar but Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler will look at this game as one where their unwanted run could and arguably should come to an end. Anything less than a win at the London Stadium and their travelling support will have every right to be upset.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

The big one. If anyone had Arsenal and Aston Villa closing out the 2025 Premier League schedule with such high stakes attached to it, you are more of a visionary than me. Arsenal have been grinding out league wins lately, does their luck continue tonight as they look to exact revenge on their recent defeat at Villa Park.

While Villa’s march seems to continue at breakneck speed. The hurdles that could have halted them were brushed aside. Manchester United and Chelsea beaten 2-1 in recent weeks, the same score that also saw them get the better of Arsenal just a few weeks ago. This fixture is not only being viewed in London and Birmingham with keen interest, but Manchester as well. This could be the definiing fixture of the season.

Manchester United vs Wolves

Manchester United will look to build on their narrow win over Newcastle on Boxing Day when they welcome Wolves to Old Trafford in just a few hours and to be honest, they could not have been handed better opposition in their bid to solidify their current top-six standing under manager Ruben Amorim.

While opponents Wolves are yet to see any form of bounce under Rob Edwards and if this continues, their owners may have to decide whether another managerial change is reqiured. It may sound ludicrous to discuss switching again but as things stand, this current tenure is simply not working, they may be best hitting the reset button.

Crystal Palace vs Fulham

Is all well at Selhurst Park? It is hard to say really. Three successive league defeats. Manager will not commit his future to the club. Jean-Philippe Mateta has hit a goal drought. That being said the Eagles find themselves ninth at the time of writing and still in Europe. There are far bigger clubs in far worse positions right now.

One of those clubs is not Fulham, you can argue about their size but you cannot argue about their league form under Marco Silva. They now find themselves in the top half of the table after three successive league wins and with the trajectory that they and Palace find themselves in, the Cottagers will be confident of making it four in a row on Thursday.

Liverpool vs Leeds

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six, they will profit one way or another from whatever happens at the Emirates as Arsenal and Aston Villa will drop points. If they can go on to beat Leeds at the start of next year, you do wonder if Arne Slot’s men can somehow gatecrash their way back into the title race. Don’t rule them out just yet.

Then again, the visit of Leeds is not necessarily one that the Anfield men will be looking forward to. Not only because of the six-goal thriller that they recently contested at Elland Road but because of the unbeaten run that Daniel Farke’s men find themselves creating. A run that has put a huge spotlight on the failings at West Ham and also rejuvinated Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Brentford vs Tottenham

Brentford showed how much of a handful they can be at home when they demolished Bournemouth last weekend. Keith Andrews’ men now prepare to welcome Tottenham to the GTech Stadium having gone unbeaten in each of their last three league outings. Seven points from the nine for the Bees, they will now look to exact revenge for their recent loss to Spurs.

While Thomas Frank returns to familiar territory having overseen a narrow 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday. It was far from pretty but it was certainly the tonic for a rough couple of weeks. Spurs currently have the best form record for away results, they need that form to continue on Thursday if they have any hopes of moving back into the top 10.

Sunderland vs Manchester City

Sunderland’s momentum being slowed by AFCON departures but they are still showing what a handful they can be having ground out two successive league draws. Now Regis Le Bris’ men that are left behind will have to be at their absolute best for the visit of Manchester City on New Years Day. A team they recently lost to at the Etihad.

While City will be keen to make whatever hay they can from the Emirates outcome. What is the ideal result for them? Arguably a draw, but it will mean for very little if Pep Guardiola’s men cannot continue their current streak of six Premier League games unbeaten. Is the blue machine starting to heat up at just the right time?

Dan The Stat Man

Wolves have lost each of their last 11 Premier League matches (no win in 22 attempts)

Aston Villa have won each of their last 8 Premier League matches

There have been over 2.5 goals in each of Manchester City’s last 9 Premier League matches

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