Over the weekend on social media and in the written press, I have been reading about the Premier League looking to squeeze more money out of their TV right packages coming up with the possibility of a 7:45pm Saturday kick-off.
That could give them up to an additional 22 more matches to put into a package TV broadcast deal, but why stop there! What about a midnight kick off just for the overseas owners and the Far East? What about a Christmas Day fixture? The whole Saturday night kick-off question is reported to be one of a number of topics that will be discussed at the Premier League's meeting this Thursday.
There are already games at 12:30pm and 5:30pm kick-offs in the top flight on Saturdays sometimes interspersed with games from the EFL. Not counting this season move to Friday night and the Sunday afternoon double bill and Monday night. That is up to six live games and the Premier League will see televised games increase from 168 to 190 next season. That will surely have an effect on coverage of the EFL.
That this meeting I don’t think the fans will come under consideration unless this possible 7:45pm kick-off was to be local derbies but that wouldn’t make the local coppers happy. Fans drinking all day there could be opportunities for trouble. What about traveling fans from the north if they had to travel to Southampton on a Saturday. Have these people at the Premier League tried travelling around the country on public transport after 10pm I doubt it with their chauffeurs and expensive hotels.
Think of the managers who have Champions League games mid-week have to play on late Saturday night I can hear the complaints. But at the end of the day money (TV money) talks loud. I am one of the gullible ones I pay a chuck of money to Sky and I don’t even like the Premier League but I love watching football from the top to the bottom.
Will the most popular Premier League highlights show Match of the Day have to be aired after mid-night?
Another topic, which is on the menu according to reports the subject of shutting the summer transfer window earlier. If I had my way it would be the day before the start of the new season, I would have the Premier League, and the EFL kick off on the same day. It is believed most clubs will agree that the window should close early maybe not as drastic as my idea but let us see.
Any proposals to pass, 14 out of the 20 Premier League clubs have to agree.
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