“The Saturday 3pm blackout is part of the tradition of English football " I'll assume the Saturday 3pm kickoff isn't part of that tradition then, considering that's been vastly reduced over the years.
Fans will travel irrespective if they want. The fact it is on live doesn't matter to them. Newcastle filled the away end at Nottingham Forest for a midweek game in a meaningless cup which meant taking time off work and getting back in the early hours of the morning. More of them than were at the KCOM.
Attendances fluctuate for a variety of reasons. a) whose the opposition ? b) How bad is the weather ? c) How far do I need to travel ? e) What are the facilities like ? ( public transport to the ground, parking, nearby pubs, safety, pitch visibility, comfort, family facilities) f) Entry price ? g) What day of the week is it ? h) What time's kick off ? i) what other commitments do I have that may prevent me from going ? (on vacation, kids function at school, missus/hubby wants to go shopping, have to work today/tomorrow)...ad infinitum ! The 3 p.m. k.o. on Saturday afternoon's is historic, and still today is the most convenient time for the majority of supporters/fans (home or away) to conveniently get to the match. Sunday k.o.'s run second. If 3.00 p.m. Saturday games are televised it increases the risk of a drop in attendance given any of the factors mentioned. It is far more likely to negatively impact clubs lower in the League hierarchy. They are damaged the most. Hence TV blackouts. Some fans will still go regardless. Many may be swayed into watching the match on TV anytime. They are the "floating fans", of which there are many. Lets not forget the questions like 1) How **** is our team playing these days and 2) how destruction is our club ownership and team management.
And, as I said, some fans will go irrespectively. Some may decide to watch one of the big clubs rather than one of their own club's games. Something I can't understand myself.
Not disagreeing one little bit with you Barca. Just supporting what probably is the rationale for the original 3pm Sat TV blackout by the football powers, and Andy Holt's and the FSF's position on the iFollow decision which seems to be eroding the principle of protecting weaker clubs in the pyramid. Money may be talking here with this decision - but clearly without consultation or an analysis of the broader picture.
The teams on iFollow might actually gain revenue. The die hard fans will attend the match anyway, and they will also get income from the armchair fans.
This was the article I saw, by the way. And correct, it assesses the impact to home gates. Away followings may reduce with streaming options, but given the fact that for the vast majority of clubs, their home following wouldn't all be able to travel away regardless, there's inherently people who are unable to watch their side every week which to me (as an outsider) feels odd. http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/why-...in-the-uk-for-live/1bs2qnkj73shx1uryui898tax6
The Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt has slammed the Football League’s decision to allow this weekend’s League One and Two fixtures to be screened live domestically. Uefa rules normally prohibit live screening of EFL games to the domestic market between 2.45 and 5.15pm as clubs bid to maximise matchday revenue – but the ‘blocked hours’ rule does not apply during international breaks. That means supporters in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch all of Saturday’s fixtures via iFollow or each club’s equivalent streaming service. “Accrington Stanley majority shareholder Andy Holt is angry and dismayed at the Football League’s decision to allow the streaming of 3pm Saturday fixtures to the domestic market during the international break,” read a club statement. “The EFL is there to represent its 72 member clubs, and Mr Holt feels that Article 48 of the Uefa statutes [which deals with broadcast regulations] was not discussed at the summer conference in Portugal, with no debate taking place regarding any exceptions to the existing blackout on domestic coverage of Saturday afternoon fixtures.” Holt has demanded an explanation from the EFL and has called for all 72 member clubs to vote on the issue. He later added on Twitter: “Project Genie. @EFL codename for the breaking of the ‘no live football’ on Saturday 14.45-17.15 … Has the Genie been let out of the bottle?” “This kills our income and destroys atmosphere,” Holt added. “It was only international viewers when we considered it first. Then they added Tuesday night matches. “The option to join with five international weekends has never been mentioned by @EFL. They deliberately misled us. They know what they’re doing, don’t worry about that.” In response, the Football League said the live screening of games during international breaks would be reviewed after this weekend’s fixtures and clubs would be consulted. “The EFL is very aware of the importance of protecting the live matchday experience, and will always champion supporters making their way through turnstiles as the best way to watch live football, but [streaming] is an added option for those fans who can’t make the game in person. “The EFL needs to understand the full value of the streaming opportunity to make informed decisions and the matches taking place tomorrow will help determine the future direction of travel … The review will be shared and discussed with clubs.”
Holt sounds like a bit of a tit there. It's an experiment. If it's a disaster then they'll re-assess.
What are they hoping to achieve from the experiment? What’s their hypothesis? Should they have held discussions with the stakeholder businesses they represent prior to the experiment? Should the have agreed a compensation package with the affected businesses to cover any losses, prior to the experiment? Why haven’t they disputed the accusation of mis-leading their stakeholders? Have they considered & discussed the variables that their experiment may throw up with those that the variables may affect? How will they analyse the data from their experiment without the goodwill & help of the stakeholder businesses that are affected? I think any business owner would, quite rightly, be pissed off if the body representing them made maverick decisions & ran experiments that could potentially cost the businesses income & profit. By not consulting with the stakeholders the EFL represent prior to this decision being made it screams of a money making scheme for the EFL to the potential detriment of the 72 businesses they answer to. Football without supporters is nothing. Shabby.
Seems pretty obvious they are trying to make the game more accessible to more people. Considering the cries of poverty yesterday I'm surprised at the silver spoon attitude towards that can't afford to go but still support their team. Pretty disheartening to see.
More accessible? Discussions & subsequent action regarding affordable pricing would achieve this, obviously that could potentially cost the EFL money. Nothing should appear anything. Planned with clear objectives. It should all be transparent & open. Especially to the businesses their decisions affect. It should not be a surprise to the business owners it affects. Do you think they’d stream the EFL Cup Final to make it more accessible if Sky or whoever dumped it? It’s about the EFL making money, nothing more.
My stepson 'travelled' to that game from Leicester with his Newcastle supporting mate who lives in Melton Mowbray.
Less per capita per match than the turnstile price. Not good business without consultation & agreement.
Paid money for people who use their service is not the same as making money. It may, more than likely, cost them money if the “decide on the days” don’t bother because they can watch on a stream. Chances are there’ll be more attractive games to choose from. We often nip through to watch Crewe at the last minute. £40 & any extras we may buy when we’re there. This weekend, if we were to go (& there game hadn’t been postponed) we could choose instead to watch any game for a lot less & Crewe get nowt as a result.10 people can watch a stream, they don't pay individually. Stockport used to play many of their home games on a Friday night because one of either United or City were always at home on a Saturday afternoon. Playing on a Saturday, at the same time, would cost them money. The fact that the decision was made without speaking to the clubs beforehand tells you all you need to know.
A small amount I believe At least 80% goes straight to EFL from what I read (although I haven’t checked I must admit)
