Premier League sent strong statement after TV Viewing figures slump following record breaking year

We're no strangers to having a pop at the Premier League's TV Overlords here at NUFC Feed. While they often interfere with the fixture schedule causing fans to make last-minute changes to their plans, we also cannot bide the cost of being an armchair supporter.

Without getting into the whole debate of whether or not you're a real fan if you don't go to the games (you are, don't worry), it's not just hitting season ticket holders in the pocket these days, following your favourite club.

The Premier League still has the 3 pm Saturday blackout, meaning no Premier League games kicking off at 3 pm on Saturday can be shown live ... in the UK.

It's an archaic idea that is supposed to preserve the match-going experience, but given that the Premier League, Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon can just move games around on a whim for live broadcast, does it really matter? If anything, the fact that Sky are boasting about having over 200 games to show next season only goes to show that they believe people will still attend games regardless of whether or not they are broadcast live.

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Why would viewers pay extortionate amounts of money each month when a cheaper, better alternative is so easy to attain?

The 3 pm blackout is supposed to encourage fans to go and watch lower league football, which is generally on at 3 pm on a Saturday, but again, those who want to go to a lower league game will.

The Times have now reported this year that the Premier League viewing figures took a tumble this year, though, so perhaps people are going to lower league games at the expense of watching the Premier League (they're not).

While the report blames the lack of a real title challenge and the relegation places being sewn up so early, the biggest contributing factor we can't look beyond the skyrocketing cost of watching the games at home. You need three separate TV/Streaming subscriptions if you want to ensure you can see all of your club's televised games - Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Prime Video. Or, you can give Dodgy Dave from down the boozer a few quid a year and he'll hook you up with a 'loaded firestick' which includes every game, including the 3 pm Saturday games. Guess which one people are opting to do.

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Sky Sports didn't help their cause on the last day of the season

On top of that, though, they did themselves no favours when Sky Sports opted to show Liverpool v Crystal Palace live on the final day. A game with absolutely nothing at stake. Meanwhile, Newcastle took on Everton, and Manchester City played Fulham, both of which could have impacted the final standings in terms of the Champions League qualifications.

Sky's excuse was that they wanted to show the trophy lift at Anfield ... but unless that took place in the 73rd minute, why would they need to show the entire game? Surely they had cameras there, regardless and could have cut to Anfield after their televised game finished.

It's decisions like this, along with the cost of subscriptions, that are why the viewership is fading. The lack of excitement towards the end of the season clearly was a factor, but to ignore the obvious is madness.