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Ritabrata Banerjee

Premier League chief drops huge hint over future of 3pm blackout

Premier League chief Richard Masters dropped a huge hint over the future of the 3pm blackout. The rule has been in place for the last 60 years and the Football Association has consistently policed the blackout as it is viewed as essential to protect attendances in the Football League. However, in recent years, there have been several rumours of a push to abolish the system.

  • ' 3pm Black out' rule in place for over half a century

    The '3pm blackout' is the rule that no Premier League, Football League or FA Cup matches be broadcast on live television on Saturday between 2:45pm and 5:15pm. Games may be played on that day and at that time, but they are forbidden to be televised. The rule is in place since the 1960s, when Burnley chairman Bob Lord successfully convinced fellow Football League chairmen that televised matches on Saturday afternoons would negatively impact the attendance of lower league games. While there has been a significant growth in football on TV, the Premier League continue to follow the rule.

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    Masters drops huge hint over future of 3pm blackou

    Speaking at The Summit, Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: "Our current domestic broadcast arrangement means that we are now essentially licensed to our limit. There are no more games outside of 3pm that aren't being broadcast. We are committed to it for the foreseeable future. It's not a decision that we alone make. It's done in conjunction with other football bodies, the FA and the FA. But we're committed to it for the foreseeable future."

  • Can the 3pm blackout be changed

    While there have been several rumours in recent years of a push to abolish the rule, it cannot be altered without the backing of the FA, the Premier League and the English Football League.

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    PSR could be scrapped

    Masters also confirmed that the Premier League are set to vote next month on scrapping the divisive Profit and Sustainability Rules and bringing in a new system that will be more aligned with the UEFA financial regulations.