Nick Brodrick - Supporter Liaison Officer, Torquay United Supporters Trust (TUST)
DURING last season when fans were not allowed inside football stadiums, National League clubs, along with other leagues, began offering live streaming of home matches, thus providing supporters with the opportunity to watch their team from the comfort of their own home, while also generating some much-needed revenue.
As the season progressed, clubs upgraded their early broadcasts to almost professional standards and at Torquay United, the streaming developed into a three-hour sports programme with improved camera angles, action replays, player and manager interviews and further income from sponsors and advertising.
Fast forward to this season with UEFA’s reinstated Article 48 restricting clubs from streaming matches on Saturdays between 2.45pm and 5.15pm. But, as the FA have confirmed, matches outside these restrictions can be shown live and are being shown by EFL teams.
However, the National League’s TV contract with BT Sport apparently excludes this option. Torquay United’s Supporters’ Trust has been campaigning for matches to be made available outside the ‘blocked hours’ restriction. This week, Torquay chairman and owner Clarke Osborne said: “National League Premier clubs should be able to stream, under set conditions, any match which is not covered by a contracted broadcaster.”
After last season, clubs have invested heavily in the technology and have experience and programming readily available. There is also the incentive of additional matchday revenue as fans at home, those living abroad and away fans too, join those in the stadium. It will actually lead to an increase in income and higher attendances.
The majority of fans would pay the normal ground entry for the streaming and there would be further income for clubs from additional sponsorship and advertising. As Osborne says: “Why not extend streaming for the next two years and review the consequences to provide accurate data for a longer term decision in 2023-2024?” There’s a big market out there for live streaming so let’s see its return.