The Saturday TV football blackout law in the UK is a law that prevents live football matches from being broadcast on television on Saturdays between 2:45pm and 5:15pm. This law has been in place since the 1960s and is still in effect today.
The law was introduced in the 1960s in order to protect the attendance of football matches in the UK. At the time, the Football League was concerned that if live matches were broadcast on television, it would reduce the number of people attending the matches in person. This would have a negative impact on the clubs’ finances, as they rely heavily on ticket sales for their income.
The law states that no live football matches can be broadcast on television between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays. This includes all matches in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, and the FA Cup. The law also applies to all other football competitions, such as the Scottish Premier League and the Welsh Premier League.
The law does not apply to other sports, such as rugby, cricket, or tennis. It also does not apply to other days of the week, so live football matches can be broadcast on television on Sundays, Mondays, and other days.
The law has been controversial since it was introduced, with many people arguing that it is outdated and should be abolished. However, the Football League has argued that the law is still necessary in order to protect the attendance of football matches in the UK.
The law has been challenged in court several times, but it has been upheld each time. In recent years, the law has been relaxed slightly, with some matches being allowed to be broadcast on television outside of the blackout period. However, the majority of matches are still subject to the blackout law.
The Saturday TV football blackout law in the UK is an important part of the football landscape in the UK. It has been in place for over 50 years and is still in effect today. The law is controversial, but it is still necessary in order to protect the attendance of football matches in the UK.