Government support call for Women’s Super League games to be exempt from live Saturday TV blackout in bid to boost revenue, viewing figures and fan attendance
- Review recommended a special broadcast slot for the women's game
- Most matches are shown at 11:30 am on Saturday or 6:45 pm on Sunday
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The government has suggested that women's football should be given an exemption from the 3pm TV blackout to significantly increase broadcast and commercial revenues.
A government-led review, chaired by former England footballer Karen Carney, was published in July and made 10 recommendations, including developing a special broadcast for the women's match.
The majority of Women's Super League matches are broadcast at 11.30am on Saturdays or 6.45pm on Sundays, which the review notes has not helped maximize both viewing figures and fan attendance at matches.
An exception to Article 48 of UEFA's statutes, which allows the FA to introduce a blackout on live football on Saturdays between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, was mentioned as a possible option in Carney's review.
This will require support from the Premier League and the EFL. The government noted that a “legitimate question” would arise over compensation for the women's game if an exemption were not granted.
The majority of Women's Super League matches are broadcast at 11.30am on Saturdays or 6.45pm on Sundays
“The government believes that repealing Article 48 for women's football alone is a viable option to support women's football and significantly increase broadcast and commercial revenues,” the response said.
“We recognize that there are challenges in the men's game, but it does not feel credible to hold back the women's game on this basis when it would generate significant revenue for a game that has fallen behind commercially.
“If there is a reluctance to repeal Article 48, or find a suitable and credible alternative, there is a legitimate question about compensating the women's game for this lost revenue opportunity.
'We encourage the FA, Premier League, English Football League and broadcasters to meet quickly to begin discussions on a bespoke broadcast slot, Article 48 and financial flows, and to request an update during the first meeting of the implementation group in March 2024.'