Aston Villa’s upcoming Premier League match against Everton has been unexpectedly left off the television schedule, leading to some frustration among fans eager to watch the game live.
According to Sky Sports, the match will not be televised due to broadcasting regulations that prevent certain games from being aired live in the UK at specific times. The infamous “3pm blackout” rule, which prohibits live football from being broadcast on television in the UK between 2:45 pm and 5:15 pm on Saturdays, is the primary reason behind this decision.
The rule was originally introduced to protect live match attendance and grassroots football. It aims to encourage fans to attend live matches, particularly lower-league games, rather than staying home to watch Premier League fixtures on television. Despite changing viewing habits and growing demand for televised football, this rule continues to be enforced, especially for Saturday 3pm kick-offs.
Aston Villa vs Everton, scheduled for a Saturday afternoon kick-off, falls into this blackout period, and as such, it cannot be broadcast live in the UK. This decision is a disappointment to many Villa and Everton fans, particularly those unable to attend the match in person.
Internationally, however, viewers will still be able to watch the game through various broadcast partners, as the 3pm blackout rule only applies to UK broadcasts. This situation has once again sparked debate about the relevance of the blackout in the modern era, with many calling for it to be lifted or adjusted to accommodate the growing demand for live Premier League coverage. Until then, fans will have to follow the game through live updates, radio commentary, or wait for highlights.
