Stockwood supports 3pm blackout lifting
GRIMSBY Town chairman Jason Stockwood admitted he would be in favour of scrapping the 3pm broadcast blackout, once the EFL’s current TV deal runs out in 2024.
It is a debate that has divided football fanbases since the rule was set in the 1960s, and has come to the forefront again. News emerged recently the EFL were considering lifting the blackout as part of their new package for 2024 onwards.
The rule was introduced as a way of protecting attendances in the lower leagues, and many still stand by the belief that it does just that, but others who cannot attend matches are left frustrated they can’t watch the games.
Stockwood believes fans who watch games from home and those who attend matches live are largely two different audiences, so being able to broadcast 3pm games would not diminish attendances, in his opinion.
Stockwood told BBC Radio Humberside: “I think anyone attending live games will know that the choice isn’t generally between that or sitting at home and watching the game. More often than not, you go to games for the atmosphere, meeting up with friends, the experience itself and many other variables.
“I think they’re largely different audiences, there is some crossover, for example, every now and again I would stream a game if I couldn’t make it. If you can make the experience of coming to the game more pleasurable than it is beyond the football itself then the argument that it would take fans away shouldn’t be a factor.”
Currently, the £595m deal with Sky Sports is viewed as controversial by some as clubs believe it undervalued the Championship particularly.
But a new, bigger deal is hopefully in the works, with the EFL looking towards streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon and Apple as potential broadcasting partners.
The Town co-owner said: “If we lean more into providing coverage through digital channels, it is an opportunity to broaden your audience for your clubs. That is my personal view and I think as a club we’re representing that I think the people that want to come to games, might occasionally make a choice not to come but it is really for those that can’t get to games.
“Having that access at 3pm to broadcast games could open clubs up to a bigger audience.
“I know there are counter-arguments, but on the whole, I think it could be a positive thing.
“There are people that believe it will take away from the current experience but I think it is an idea that you can pilot first or run a test for and see how it does.”