FANS are split after it was announced that the Premier League’s 3pm blackout will remain in place for at least another five years.
The blackout was introduced in the 1960s when Burnley chairman Bob Lord successfully convinced fellow Football League chiefs that broadcasting games on a Saturday afternoon would negatively impact lower league attendances.
GettyThe Premier League have announced the 3pm blackout will remain in place for at least another six years[/caption]
It has remained in place in Britain ever since, despite many feeling it is now outdated.
Global fans of the Premier League are able to watch 3pm games with the blackout not affecting overseas broadcasters.
But there is some good news for TV viewers as the Premier League announced that ALL games outside of the 3pm slot will now be broadcast live.
The reforms will kick into place in 2025 and will be reviewed again in 2029.
270 of the 380 Premier League games will be shown on TV, up from the current number of 200.
The rights to games will be sold as five packages to broadcasters, with no broadcaster being permitted to purchase more than four packages.
That means fans will still have to shell out for multiple subscriptions if they want to watch all the Premier League football that they can.
Fans on Twitter were divided about whether the decision to keep the 3pm blackout in place was a good thing.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
One fan wrote: “The 3pm blackout needs to go.”
While another wrote: “I’m one of the very few people that support this [In reference to the 3pm blackout].”
Another wrote in support of the blackout, saying: “Support your local club, problem sorted.”
Another suggested another measure to protect fans of lower league football, saying: “The 3pm blackout doesn’t need to go just make no Premier League games kick off at 3 on a Saturday.”