In England, a historical rule normally prevents TV broadcasts on Saturday afternoons. The coronavirus could change that now.
In view of the coronavirus and the possibility of ghost games, the Premier League is discussing a small TV revolution.
This is reported by several English media. At the moment there is no reason to cancel matches or not to allow spectators.
However, if the stadiums in England remain empty in the coming weeks, it is apparently an option that the games will be offered free of charge on television or in streams.
Will historical rules be suspended?
The Football Association would thus also suspend the current broadcasting blackout over matches at 3 p.m.
So far, the so-called “blackout rule” prohibits football matches being shown live on Saturday between 2.45pm and 5.15pm English time. This rule has existed since the early 1960s.
Sky Sports and BT Sports could thus be required to make their matches freely receivable on a decoded signal and available free of charge.
In addition, matches of the Football League Championship, the second highest division in English football, would probably be broadcast on the league’s “iFollow” streaming platform.
Ban on broadcasting in pubs
However, the aim is to prevent the crowds that normally gather in stadiums from now meeting in pubs.