By Islam El-Sakka
The Scottish Professional Football League has signaled openness to ending the Saturday 3pm television blackout in Scotland from the 2029-30 season, according to the Press Association. The league has indicated flexibility to potential bidders for its next broadcast rights cycle.
Background on the blackout
The Saturday 3pm blackout has been in place across the UK since the 1960s to protect live attendances. It has survived challenges thanks to UEFA's Article 48, which permits leagues to impose broadcasting restrictions if 50 per cent or more of professional matches are scheduled for that kick-off time.
New broadcast cycle approach
Under the SPFL's approach to the next rights sale, broadcasters have been invited to bid for more games than the current cycle contains. The league is not attempting to sell all of its matches. Should the sale result in fewer than 50 per cent of fixtures kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday, Article 48 would not need to be invoked, potentially lifting the blackout in Scotland.
Implications for UK football
Such a move would mark a significant shift for live football coverage in the UK. Other domestic leagues, including the Premier League and the EFL, could then pursue similar policies. The Premier League currently maintains a 3pm Saturday blackout but broadcasts all matches across the rest of the weekend, with slots on Friday and Monday evenings and multiple Saturday windows.
