Scottish football could pave way for 3pm TV blackout to end

What the report says

Scottish football has taken an early step toward a possible end to the UK’s long-running Saturday 3pm television blackout, according to BBC Sport. The Scottish Professional Football League has begun seeking bids for its next broadcast cycle, which will run from the 2029-30 season, and has signalled that it is open to a wide range of coverage options, including the possibility of live coverage of all matches.

BBC Sport reported that the tender has been structured to give broadcasters flexibility, including in relation to whether a blackout would still be needed under Uefa rules. The current UK blackout prevents live TV coverage between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays, a restriction originally intended to protect match attendances across the football pyramid.

The article said the issue has regained momentum as streaming becomes more important to clubs and broadcasters. It also noted that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters recently suggested the blackout could eventually end, although any change would be some time away and discussed with other governing bodies.

In Scotland, any deal would still need approval from the Premiership clubs, with eight votes required. The current broadcast arrangement shows only a portion of top-flight games live, and BBC Sport said a decision in Scotland would not automatically change the situation in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, though the next round of rights negotiations across the UK could create a wider opportunity for agreement.