Eleven Sports To Adhere To 3pm UK Blackout

Eleven Sports has announced that it will respect the Saturday afternoon 3pm blackout in the UK and no longer show European football matches at this time. However, it is not yet known how long Eleven Sports will continue to respect the rule which in a statement the company described as “unfit for the modern, digital era.”

The OTT streaming service had previously ignored the FA ruling that prohibits matches being broadcast in the UK between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, in order to not adversely affect match attendances in domestic leagues across the country.

Eleven Sports came under significant pressure from multiple stakeholders across the football industry but the company, which is part of the sports and media investment company Aser founded and chaired by Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani, remains strongly opposed to the 3pm blackout despite adhering to it “for the time being”.

Eleven Sports has significant broadcast experience in its senior leadership team, with former BT TV CEO Marc Watson as the executive chairman and group CEO. The company statement remained defiant in its strong stance against the ruling declaring that the “blackout is one of the biggest generators of piracy in the UK.” 

The statement continued: “Fans in the UK should have the freedom and the choice to watch these games legally through the official rights holder, as they do all over the world. Regrettably, intense pressure from stakeholders within the football establishment means that football fans across the country do not have this option.”

With the best interests of football fans at heart, we are currently considering all legal and regulatory options, including the referral of the case to the appropriate authorities.”