Scottish FA Article 23 – Transmission of Matches/UEFA Article 48 – Blocked Hours Protection
The Scottish FA’s application for transmission free periods (“blocked hours”) for the football season 2023/24 pursuant to Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes has been confirmed by UEFA. The Scottish FA’s ‘blocked hours’ provision, under UEFA Article 28, covers Saturdays between 2.45pm and 5.15pm from 5 August 2023 to 11 May 2024 inclusively. The following Saturday’s are exceptions, and therefore not covered by the ‘blocked hours’ provision:
Saturday 9 September 2023 – Alloa involved in third round SPFL Trust Trophy – Available in the UK & Ireland if at home
Saturday 14 October 2023 – potentially fourth round of SPFL Trust Trophy – Available if at home
Saturday 18 November 2023 – Away to Edinburgh City – don’t offer streaming service
Saturday 6 January 2024 – Home to Edinburgh City – Available in Scotland (but not England)
Saturday 13 January 2024 – Away to Queen of the South – don’t offer streaming service
Saturday 23 March 2024 – Home to Queen of the South – Available in the UK & Ireland
In effect, the protection prohibits the transmission of matches within Scotland during the period of ‘blocked hours’.
Clubs are also advised that the English FA has also been granted ‘blocked hours’ protection pursuant to UEFA Article 48, prohibiting the transmission of matches within England on Saturday’s between 2.45pm and 5.15pm from 5 August 2023 to 20 April 2024 (excluding Saturday 9 September, 14 October, 18 November, 30 December 2023 and 13 January and 23 March 2024).
Clubs will still be able to transmit matches outside of the UK during the ‘blocked hours’ period.
Finally, under the terms of Scottish FA Article 23 (below), the Scottish FA Board continues to provide permission for clubs to transmit matches outwith the ‘blocked hours’ period in all competitions, except those already covered by specific broadcast agreements. The parameters for transmitting matches in competitions covered by specific broadcast arrangements will be confirmed directly by the competition organiser.
“A match played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall not be transmitted in whole or in part, in any form, or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, recording, film, video, over the air, via cable, via the Internet (including online streaming), via mobile telephones, on demand, or otherwise, except with the prior consent of the Board. The Scottish FA shall retain all copyright and other intellectual property rights in matches in the Challenge Cup Competition and any other competitions played under the direct control of the Scottish FA.”
For the avoidance of doubt, clubs are reminded that they are not permitted to transmit their matches in Scotland or in England between the ‘blocked hours’ period of Saturday between 2.45pm and 5.15pm during the dates outlined above under the terms of UEFA Article 48.