Scottish football could pave way for 3pm TV blackout to end
Scottish football has taken an early step towards ending the UK’s Saturday afternoon television blackout by inviting broadcasters to propose deals with flexible live coverage from the 2029-30 season. The change could allow 3pm matches to be shown, but no decision has been made and any Scottish deal would not automatically change the rules elsewhere in the UK.
The SPFL’s tender allows proposals for any number of matches, provided broadcasters do not require the league to enforce Uefa Article 48, which permits a blackout when at least half of a country’s top two divisions play simultaneously. The current blackout runs from 2.45pm to 5.15pm on Saturdays; Sky Sports and Premier Sports can show up to 82 of Scotland’s 228 top-flight games each season. The 12 Premiership clubs would decide whether to accept a proposal, with eight votes needed.
In short
- The SPFL is inviting flexible broadcast proposals from 2029-30.
- Broadcasters could bid to show Saturday 3pm matches live.
- Scotland’s clubs would need eight votes to approve a deal.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Allowing live 3pm coverage could make Scottish football easier to watch, attract stronger broadcast deals and bring more income to clubs, which could support the game. Supporters of change may also argue that viewing habits have shifted and that clubs should be free to decide how best to reach audiences, rather than preserve a blanket restriction.
The case against
The blackout is intended to protect attendances at lower-league and non-televised matches by limiting competition from live broadcasts at the traditional match time. Opponents may worry that ending it could weaken those clubs’ income and local support, while changing a longstanding feature of the UK football schedule for uncertain financial returns.
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