The EFL is set to debate plans to ease or even scrap its 3pm TV blackout rule for matches in what could be a significant move for Bolton Wanderers supporters and fans of teams in the Championship, League One and League Two.
The item of whether the 3pm blackout on Saturdays could be scrapped is set to be debated at the EFL's AGM held in June to seek opinion on the subject.
If the blackout is eventually eased or removed then clubs would be able to stream matches domestically which start at 3pm on Saturdays via the iFollow platform or alternative streaming service, the i reports.
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Wanderers supporters and those of other clubs up and down the Championship, League One and League Two became accustomed to watching matches via the service in the 2020/21 campaign, which took place largely behind closed doors owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ian Evatt's side were among the most watched sides in League Two last season via the platform as they achieved automatic promotion to League One.
This season, there have been no domestic broadcasting or live streams of 3pm matches on Saturdays in the EFL as the position moved back to something resembling pre-pandemic rules.
There have been domestic streams allowed of midweek evening games or matches taking place on Saturdays not kicking off at 3pm that have not been chosen for broadcasting by Sky Sports.
But according to the report in the i, clubs in League One and League Two feel it would increase revenue stream opportunities and that it could come into place for the 2023/24 season, though it could lead to a reduction in ticket sales as a result.
The report claims the blanket ban could be scrapped with clubs allowed to negotiate with one another about showing 3pm games on an individual basis, allowing those which wish to the chance to opt out.
Another option is to give income from the first 500 away iFollow passes to the home team, which replicates what happened during last season behind closed doors.
The league would have to apply to UEFA to change its current blackout period, which has been in place since the 1960s and does not permit matches to be shown on TV or stream between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays. An EFL spokesperson is quoted as saying: “The issues around the 3pm blackout will be discussed again in the summer and we wouldn’t rule anything out at this stage. All options would be on the table for the clubs to discuss.”
Speaking in October, EFL chair Rick Parry did not rule out the prospect of the law being scrapped. He said: “I don’t see (an end to the blackout) as being essential. Having said that, I don’t necessarily rule it out.
"We are almost unique in Europe now in having a blackout period. I’m not presuming that it goes, but equally, if we’re looking at streaming, at new technologies and new broadcasters, we will probably have to be open-minded in terms of scheduling."
The EFL's next TV deal is set to start in 2024.
