IFollow
- Thread starter SaskPool
- Start date
SeasideEssexXile
Vital Football Legend
That's a worry.
I thought ifollow were just culling the uk audience and were reverting back to exiles abroad only....
I thought ifollow were just culling the uk audience and were reverting back to exiles abroad only....
SeasideEssexXile
Vital Football Legend
iFollow streaming set to return to pre-pandemic rules with no live 3pm games
The move is designed to protect matchday attendances at a time when clubs need income more than ever after almost 18 months of turnstiles being shut
Pre-pandemic rules around streaming of live football matches are expected to return from the start of the 2021/22 season.
Since March 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, only a handful of games in the EFL have been played with fans in attendance, with supporters able to watch all matches at home on iFollow.
But with July 19 set to all restrictions on capacity crowds lifted, preparations are being made by the EFL in order to cater for supporters in grounds once more.
And it is likely to mean that the iFollow streaming service is largely expected to return to its pre-pandemic format – meaning that Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle games, as well as the rest of the EFL, played in the usual 3pm Saturday slot will not be available to watch in the UK.
The move is designed to protect matchday attendances at a time when clubs need income more than ever after almost 18 months of turnstiles being shut – although midweek matches will continue to be available on iFollow, providing they are not televised by Sky Sports, as was the case pre-Covid.
The iFollow service, which allowed fans to stream games from home via their phone, laptop or tablet, proved a lifeline for supporters of the 72 members clubs, and temporary streaming laws were introduced that allowed clubs to broadcast games - providing a much-needed income albeit considerably less than normal gate receipts.
In total, revenue exceeded more than £42million thanks to streaming games, and it also saved clubs millions in refunds to existing season ticket holders, but it is expected that from the start of the upcoming season, fans will once again only be able to watch from inside the stadium.
The move is designed to protect matchday attendances at a time when clubs need income more than ever after almost 18 months of turnstiles being shut
Pre-pandemic rules around streaming of live football matches are expected to return from the start of the 2021/22 season.
Since March 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, only a handful of games in the EFL have been played with fans in attendance, with supporters able to watch all matches at home on iFollow.
But with July 19 set to all restrictions on capacity crowds lifted, preparations are being made by the EFL in order to cater for supporters in grounds once more.
And it is likely to mean that the iFollow streaming service is largely expected to return to its pre-pandemic format – meaning that Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle games, as well as the rest of the EFL, played in the usual 3pm Saturday slot will not be available to watch in the UK.
The move is designed to protect matchday attendances at a time when clubs need income more than ever after almost 18 months of turnstiles being shut – although midweek matches will continue to be available on iFollow, providing they are not televised by Sky Sports, as was the case pre-Covid.
The iFollow service, which allowed fans to stream games from home via their phone, laptop or tablet, proved a lifeline for supporters of the 72 members clubs, and temporary streaming laws were introduced that allowed clubs to broadcast games - providing a much-needed income albeit considerably less than normal gate receipts.
In total, revenue exceeded more than £42million thanks to streaming games, and it also saved clubs millions in refunds to existing season ticket holders, but it is expected that from the start of the upcoming season, fans will once again only be able to watch from inside the stadium.
Thanks for this SEX
inside_man
Vital Squad Member
That's frustrating. Got to see the most Blackpool games since I last lived up North 10 years ago last season. Might just have to sort a VPN out and do it that way.
aussie1
Vital Squad Member
Same happened to me Sask. Charged for full season 21/22 then refunded me like you.
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If it's ifollow for the new season I think we exiles will be all right A1
whitey1942
Vital Squad Member
whitey1942
Vital Squad Member
Are you not able to go to matches now, Prem?
Unfortunately not ,whether I will be able to get in the future is doubtful …
You cannot turn back the ravages of time you learn to get on with it.
whitey1942
Vital Squad Member
Can you remember your first match at Bloomfield Road?
he mid 60s.
55/56 season Pool beat Newcastle 5-1 if memory correct….One that stands out when Peter Osgood broke his Leg in tam sure the crack was heard all over the ground…I did not get to many matches in the early years family commitments and I tended to work weekends,,,Not as committed as some who post on here…Missed very few matches in the last 25/30 yrs time flies once you hit your 50s.
SeasideEssexXile
Vital Football Legend
Hopefully Prem you will get to see plenty of our games on the goggle-box. Availability is hugely increased now we are in the Championship.
What provision will be made for live streaming both in UK and overseas?
A: We will have to work on local guidance but if full stadiums are to return from next Monday we believe the EFL will indicate we need to return to the status quo which will make it difficult to stream live games on a Saturday domestically. For overseas fans they have always had full seasonal access via the club streaming platform. We are making huge strides in our BFC platform. We are still waiting for full guidance and need the EFL to confirm what we can and can’t do domestically. From an overseas point of view, we believe they will still be able to stream the games. We are trying to take the Club in the right direction and when we are ready we will keep everyone updated, but we are planning on making a number of improvements on our digital offering. There will be more announcements in the next few weeks.
A: We will have to work on local guidance but if full stadiums are to return from next Monday we believe the EFL will indicate we need to return to the status quo which will make it difficult to stream live games on a Saturday domestically. For overseas fans they have always had full seasonal access via the club streaming platform. We are making huge strides in our BFC platform. We are still waiting for full guidance and need the EFL to confirm what we can and can’t do domestically. From an overseas point of view, we believe they will still be able to stream the games. We are trying to take the Club in the right direction and when we are ready we will keep everyone updated, but we are planning on making a number of improvements on our digital offering. There will be more announcements in the next few weeks.
Fiona Martin – EFL digital have cancelled peoples’ subscriptions and informed people that Blackpool are not using iFollow anymore, what is happening?
A: EFL did a few things unbeknown to us. We are currently on with improving the professionalism of the Club, but don’t want to be drawn on this as we have to announce things at the right time and in the right manner. Once we have a lot more clarity from Government, then we hope we will get more clarity from the EFL and once that has been received we can tell fans more. Wish we could say a lot more but so much unknown at the moment with the pandemic, etc. Hopefully in the days and weeks ahead we can tell fans how we are planning to grow ourselves.
A: EFL did a few things unbeknown to us. We are currently on with improving the professionalism of the Club, but don’t want to be drawn on this as we have to announce things at the right time and in the right manner. Once we have a lot more clarity from Government, then we hope we will get more clarity from the EFL and once that has been received we can tell fans more. Wish we could say a lot more but so much unknown at the moment with the pandemic, etc. Hopefully in the days and weeks ahead we can tell fans how we are planning to grow ourselves.
