Sports streaming giant DAZN has reportedly launched a ground-breaking bid to stream every single EFL fixture, in a move that will likely signal the end of English football's 3pm blackout.
According to iNews, the company, which has 20 million subscribers around the world, is set to make a 'significant' offer for the global rights for EFL games from the 2024-25 season as part of a substantial overhaul of coverage for the league.
Should they be successful, the move would likely mark the end of the 3pm blackout, which prevents broadcasters showing any games between 2.45pm and 5.15pm every Saturday. The measure has existed for 60 years and aims to protect clubs from losing match-going fans and subsequent revenue. However, there's an increasing feeling that in the age of swelling TV coverage and increased use of illegal streaming services, the current set-up is not fit for purpose.
READ MORE: Why Cardiff City v Swansea City South Wales derby isn't being shown on TV
Cardiff City and Swansea City fans have certainly felt the effects of the current measures in recent years. The upcoming South Wales derby, the biggest club game in Welsh football, has not been selected for live television coverage this season, meaning thousands of fans face the prospect of missing out on the action.
It's believed DAZN firmly believes Saturday crowds wouldn't be negatively affected by matches being available to stream, and that the increased coverage would actually help give the league the further exposure needed to close the gap on the financial juggernaut that is the Premier League.
The views of Cardiff and Swansea on the 3pm blackout aren't clear, but the measures certainly have some support among EFL clubs.
But reports suggest DAZN are nevertheless confident their proposals can capture the imagination, with proposed features set to include behind-the-scenes footage, watch-alongs, and live stats.
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