Scottish Premiership makes first UK move to remove Saturday 3pm broadcast blackout

The Scottish Premiership has become the first UK league to invite broadcaster bids that include the traditionally blacked-out Saturday 3pm timeslot, as part of its next rights cycle beginning in 2029. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) issued a tender document last week offering broadcasters the option to bid for live rights to all matches, including 3pm Saturday kickoffs, which are currently prohibited under Article 48 of Uefa's statutes. The move is expected to be part of a coordinated effort among UK domestic leagues to end the long-standing broadcast blackout.