The EFL has revealed ambitious plans to offer out all of its games for potential broadcast on TV in the UK starting from the 2024-25 season.
Such a move would require The FA to drop the Saturday 2.45pm-5.15pm broadcast blackout that has been in place since the 1960s, with the EFL arguing that doing so would generate much-needed revenue for the 72 clubs under its purview.
Sky Sports has been the long-standing broadcaster of live EFL games in the UK, with its current contract allowing for 150 league games per season to be shown, plus all midweek Championship games behind the red button.
For the next rights deal, which starts in 2024-25, the EFL is putting all 1,891 games on the table - every match in the Championship, League One, League Two, the EFL Cup, the EFL Trophy and the playoffs.
Broadcasters have been given a deadline of November 21 to submit proposals for the rights, with the EFL said to be open-minded about how competitions and games could be packaged up.
Ben Wright, the EFL's chief commercial officer, said: "With 54% of the UK population watching EFL football on television each year and a global audience of more than 400 million, it's an exciting time to be going to market for the League's broadcast rights.
"Whilst the appetite for EFL football remains stronger than ever, we want to grow this audience further. We are inviting proposals from organisations that can enhance and develop the League's offering, taking a new and innovative approach to how people consume EFL content.
"Alongside the EFL's rich tradition and distinguished history there is a desire to evolve, grow and innovate in order to grow our audience further and we're looking for a partner or partners who share that vision."
The potential removal of the Saturday blackout rule could also pave the way for the Premier League to broadcast all 380 games a season in the UK.
Neil Wilkes
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