[benbristow]

If you go into any pub in the UK and say fire stick, people assume it's not legit content you're using one for. They're infamous for allowing people to watch football (soccer!) games illegally on Saturday at 3pm when the TV blackout is on, as people outside the country can watch the games.

[alias_neo]

I've certainly heard of the dodgy usage of fire stick for streams but I've never been into football, what's this blackout all about?

[benbristow]

The idea is that between around 3pm and 6pm every Saturday, outwith international breaks when international teams play (e.g. World Cup), no TV station in the UK is allowed to air live football. 3pm is the main kick off time.

The idea is that this encourages people to go to their local football team instead of watching the game on TV.

For a small island, there are massive amount of football teams. If you're American you're probably only familiar with the 'Premier League' with teams like Manchester United/City, Arsenal, Chelsea etc. and maybe the Scottish Premier League with Celtic and Rangers, and maybe Championship thanks to 'Welcome to Wrexham' but there are leagues and leagues below, it goes very deep until you get to teams literally just playing on a bit of grass behind a church in a small village and the local gym teacher being the referee.

The blackout is supposed to mean you go to whatever team is nearest or easiest to get to for you, going to big team Premier League games is very expensive if not impossible unless you have silly money to spend or wait years (I mean like 10+ years for a season ticket).

But it doesn't really work for a lot of people. If you moved away for university etc. you might still want to watch your team but the only local team is your team's rival. Or you would end up watching the village football team game.

Most games are aired abroad for expats and foreign fans, but UK residents are unable to watch those legally, hence the growth in fire sticks.

[alias_neo]

Thanks for the explanation.

I'm British, but having never been into football (or any sport really) I wasn't aware of this TV blackout; given what I do know of people who don't necessarily support the local team, this sounds like madness, also how does this work for away games? I know loads of people who live/work in London now who still support their home town team.

So, to make sure I understand this correctly; if I wanted to watch a particular team, say my local one, without going to the game, there is no actual legit way to watch that match from home?

[benbristow]

To answer your last question, yes. You would have to go watch your local lower non-league team if you wanted to watch football.

I suspect your London friends are using VPNs and/or illegal streams, or simply just following scores or watching watchalongs, Soccer Saturday etc.

Games outwith the Saturday blackout can be watched legally, bigger teams usually on TV or via club streaming services. Games are often scheduled at lunchtime and after 6pm to allow them to be aired on TV on Saturday.

[alias_neo]

This is quite the revelation. I had no idea that matches can't be watched on TV as they play. is there not even a pay-to-watch service, like with fights?

I've certainly got something to talk about next time I see some of my football fan friends, and I'll have to ask what they do to watch the games, I'm not aware of any of them actually going to the matches when I've known the local (Premier League) team to be playing.

[benbristow]

No, only if you're outside of the UK or if it's an international break when international teams are playing (World Cup, Euros etc.) on a Saturday at 3pm.

Outside the blackout games are on TV as per usual.

[neom]

Do people over there generally support this law? It's to my mind a super weird law, but to a degree... I dig it.

[benbristow]

I think there is a general support but it is weaning with people skirting around the rules nonchalantly, and TV companies wanting to make more money. It is a running joke of people "going to France for the day" in fanbases (code for VPN usage).

Some 3pm games have started to air on trial.