BUNDESLIGA SATURDAY SUPER SCORE
THE Bundesliga is cashing in on its broadcasts of Saturday afternoon matches – which could put pressure on English football’s top brass to finally cave in on the 3pm blackout.
For more than 40 years, TV broadcasters have been unable to screen Saturday afternoon kick-offs between the hours of 2.45pm and 5.15pm.
The age-old argument – first put forward by ex-Burnley chairman Fred Lord in the 1960s – was that lower league attendances would plunge if top-flight matches were available to watch live. In Germany, though, fans can take their pick of matches playing, dipping in and out of multiple games on a digital platform that must be leaving the Premier League green with envy. The financial boost it has handed the German top tier won’t have gone unnoticed by foreign owners intent on revolutionising the way the Premier League does business.
Bundesliga International CEO Robert Klein (right), believes this is just the start – and is predicting that broadcasting deals and the platforms they’re offered on will change out of all recognition.
“The digital age is here, we have companies growing and getting a foothold and paying significant money for significant rights,” he said.
“Yes, the pay TV is still there but there are new products coming forward all the time.
“It’s digital and it’s exciting. Our production group worked to develop this interactive feed which is effectively a mobile experience where you’re able to pick the matches you’re interested in.
“If a goal is scored it will bring it up while you’re watching your main game. You can also watch the game you want and flick between all the matches in a conference style.”
It’s effectively a Champions League match night on BT Sport, on Saturday afternoon – at a time when no one in England can watch a match unless they’re at the ground. Little wonder the Germans are loving it. And no surprise that banishing the current TV blackout would rate very highly on the wish list of most Premier League owners.
Klein was speaking at a webinar hosted by GlobalData.