'3pm TV blackout irritating' says Prince William

Prince William recently stated that the ban on live television broadcasts of British football matches at 3 p.m. on Saturdays is "infuriating." As an Aston Villa fan and patron of the Football Association, the Prince expressed frustration that the ban often prevents him from watching his favorite team play, especially when he cannot attend in person. He believes that this rule needs to be re-evaluated in the modern era of football.

In an interview with The Sun, Prince William admitted, "It's not easy for me to get to Villa Park, but I try to watch the games either in person or on TV as much as possible." He added, "The biggest problem with watching games at home is that it's sometimes difficult to find a live stream, because the 3 p.m. Saturday blackout rule is really annoying." This scheduling conflict makes it hard for him to support his team regularly.

Prince William further pointed out that the broadcasting ban prevents British fans from watching their own teams' Premier League matches, while fans abroad can watch any game at any time, which he finds deeply unfair. Introduced in the 1960s, the ban on broadcasting matches on Saturday afternoons was designed to encourage fans to attend lower league matches, ensuring their continued support.

UEFA, the European football governing body, implemented the broadcasting ban at the request of the English Football Association. The ban was also protected in the most recent Premier League domestic television rights agreement, which will last until 2029. However, overseas broadcasters have the right to broadcast Saturday afternoon matches, creating a disparity. The latest English Football League (EFL) broadcasting rights agreement also protects the 3 p.m. Saturday blackout rule.

Furthermore, Prince William confirmed in the interview the news he revealed earlier this year while chatting with some Villa fans in a pub: that he had anonymously participated in fan forums, commenting on club issues. He said, "I like browsing forums; I can spend a long time on them. I listen to other fans' opinions and give my own views. I'm very invested in it, absolutely. Having such discussions is very important." This shows his dedication and connection to the Aston Villa fanbase.