Speaking at Premier League season launch, managing director Jonathan Licht also called on big tech to do more on piracy
Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht believes a conversation on abolishing the 3pm blackout, “is coming.”
Speaking to press at the broadcaster’s Premier League launch, Licht said, “There’s clearly a direction of travel and lots of conversation about Saturday 3pms, and I think that will perhaps increase as we go through this cycle.
He added, “It’s a conversation that’s coming.”
A ruling that has been in place since the 1960s, the 3pm blackout prohibits live football from being shown in England between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays. This is due to the fear that showing top flight football in that time slot would lead to smaller attendances at lower league stadiums.
Sky Sports will show at least 215 matches-a-season until 2029, and Licht said of this roughly 100 game increasse, “We’re very pleased with the increase in volume and the choice that will bring to customers.”
He also linked the 3pm blackout to piracy, noting, “It’s fair to say that 3pms have been a point for piracy coming into this market from various places,” adding that he hopes the addition of more live games this season will see less piracy.
Licht also said: “There’s a real concern that despite the illegality and links to organised crime, it has been normalised. That’s dangerous for everyone. the industry and rights holders.”
He believes that tech companies need to do more to fight the issue. “It’s all of our responsibility in the industry to tackle piracy, whether that’s lobbying big tech or engaging government.
“We see the start of engagement from big tech but we think there should be more. They should understand their responsibilities if they want to be part of the future of sport rights and relationships. They really need to step up.”
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