The Premier League will not end the Saturday 3pm blackout until at least the end 2024-25 campaign.
This follows earlier Wednesday’s news that the EFL took a step towards lifting the blackoutIt issued a request in broadcast proposals starting with the 2024-25 season. It was then that the EFL’s existing deal with Sky Sports expires.
The request mentions that every EFL fixture is potentially available for bidders.
This could include the Saturday 3pm fixtures — when the majority of EFL weekend games currently take place — which have been subject to the English football television blackout since the early 1960s.
In a statement, the EFL said: “The league is taking a fresh and new approach to this latest rights cycle, inviting proposals that embrace innovation and offer contemporary solutions that cater for changing audience habits.”
However, the Premier League has committed to the blackout for at least the duration of its current TV agreement. This was renewed last year and will expire at the end the 2024-25 season.
Article 48 allows for the blackout.
