National League and BT amend highlights embargo
Maidenhead United and Slough Town supporters will now be able to catch up on their side's match highlights much sooner after the National League and BT Sport agreed for restrictions to be amended.
National League clubs previously had to wait until 12am on Monday morning to post footage from Saturday afternoon matches, but that embargo has now been lifted and the new rules permit clubs to post highlights immediately after BT Sport’s National League round-up show, typically on from 10pm to 10.30pm.
On match days when there is no show, clubs can post from 6.15pm which is outside of UEFA's blackout hours.
For midweek matches clubs can now show highlights immediately after the match.
Fans of all National League clubs have been calling for common sense to prevail on the matter for some time and the National League acknowledged in their statement the old embargo had caused ‘difficulties’ for clubs.
A statement from the league said: “The National League has been in discussions with BT Sport on the timing restriction on clubs placing their highlights online and the difficulties this can cause some clubs.
“Yesterday (September 22) BT Sport confirmed they are in agreement for the restriction to be amended so that clubs can upload their highlights immediately following the BT Sport National League highlights show, rather than the current restriction.
“Whilst the timing of the BT Sport highlights show may vary – they are typically scheduled at 10pm, finishing at 10.30pm, with this being the case for the forthcoming weeks.
“Should there be any amends to the timings we will ensure they are sent to the clubs.
“Should there not be a weekend highlights show, highlights cannot be uploaded until after the blackout in accordance with Article 48.
“In relation to midweek highlights, these can be shown immediately following the completion of the game.
“This amendment is effective immediately and the league are grateful to BT Sport for this concession.”