Why 5:30pm (11:30pm Thai Time) for the FA Cup Final Today?

[SantiSuk]

So what's the story on why the traditional time is being departed from? I don't generally scour football blogs and back page press, so I'm sure I must have missed some significant debate.

I'm no traditionalist that would object to a seismic shift if there's a good reason for it.

If it's all about TV revenues then I'm gonna rebel. I generally get up at/stay up all hours to watch Arsenal and others' significant games - along with the rest of you I was up for the Sevilla v Liverpool clash. I want to watch the FA Cup final but I aint bluddy staying up if it's being deferred for revenue-raising reasons. It may make it more convenient for others but 11:30pm aint convenient for me. Sod 'em.

(Conditional) rant over!

It's on free-to-air Thai Channel 7 according to my local MUFC bar-fellow. kick off 11:30pm Thai time

[Bredbury Blue]

Hasn't it been at stupid o'clock for some years now?

The 2013 City vs Wigan Final kicked off at 5.15pm giving all them northern folk problems to get home.

"Some fans were unhappy with the change of kickoff time from 3pm to 5.15pm, especially with both sets of fans this year having to travel from the North-West of England. But the FA defended the decision.A spokesman said: In relation to the information announced for the kick-off time of The FA Cup with Budweiser Final, the FA would like to highlight that 5.15pm is a regular kick-off time in the football calendar. This time was agreed with major stakeholders and broadcasters and has been used across the game for a number of years for televised matches.

[SantiSuk]

Thanks for that BB

I did not recall it being a late timing in recent years but it would not have been an issue for me as Arsenal were playing for the last two years.

FA's argument is specious. Of course fans recognise you cannot have all the matches played at 3pm on a regular Prem Saturday - we all correction many of us (Stevie, I recall, says he only watches Liverpool) want to watch a couple of live matches at least too. An irrelevant argument when there is one game only being played.

[carmine]

Sky have decided that this time gives them maximum viewing coverage so everyone else can button it and do what they are told. Or something very close to this.

[Chicog]

So they can show the Scottish Cup final live as well.

Maximise the TV revenue, don't you know.

[StevieH]

Sky have decided that this time gives them maximum viewing coverage so everyone else can button it and do what they are told. Or something very close to this.

yes, it's this. it's for several reasons - one is so the UK domestic audience who are out doing the saturday shopping with their wives can get home and watch it (really), others are geographical - it's not too early for the US and south american TV audiences or too late for the asian market.

and santi, as with so many things, you recall wrong old luv. i watch all sorts of football. i just don't like matchgoing fans being pissed about at the whim of murdoch.

[thaiduncankk]

As both sets of supporters are from the south if England, it should not be a problem for them.

[champers]

Nothing to do with Sky this time; BT are showing live along with the BBC. No clash with the Scottish final which kicks off at the normal (?) time of 3pm. Fair play to BT for showing the Europa League final for free to air earlier this week (though probably a contractual obligation) & listening to Michael Owen and Steve McManaman got a little tiresome. It's getting to be a rarity to have decent live sport on the BBC, so they are milking it for all it's worth.

[Chicog]

Nothing to do with Sky this time; BT are showing live along with the BBC. No clash with the Scottish final which kicks off at the normal (?) time of 3pm. Fair play to BT for showing the Europa League final for free to air earlier this week (though probably a contractual obligation)

Not contractual at all, it was promotional.

Obviously they aren't getting the return they expected on their 897m pound investment....

[smokie36]

Sky and BT Sport haven't been very smart regarding their pricing policy for pubs having their subscriptions.

Many have simply given up which usually means there is one barn of a place in a town selling piss lager in plastic glasses to a standing crowd of numpties.

The rest of us don't bother or watch online sites for free if we can't make the game.

Many others simply don't watch any more.

Dumb really....make it affordable rather than arranging stupid deals that can't reasonably be financed.....and then maybe players will stop demanding a million quid a month.

Duuuuh!

[Sparkles]

If you have 365 sports you can replay for up to 7 days which is what I just did.

[Chicog]

If you have 365 sports you can replay for up to 7 days which is what I just did.

Yes but you can't show that in a pub in England.

[champers]

Nothing to do with Sky this time; BT are showing live along with the BBC. No clash with the Scottish final which kicks off at the normal (?) time of 3pm. Fair play to BT for showing the Europa League final for free to air earlier this week (though probably a contractual obligation)

Not contractual at all, it was promotional.

Obviously they aren't getting the return they expected on their 897m pound investment....

I'm sure BT have a contractual obligation to put some games free to air, but I don't know the details and I don't know if finals are included. I would agree that they aren't getting a good return on their investment. CL final next Saturday is also free to air on BT.

[alfieconn]

If you have 365 sports you can replay for up to 7 days which is what I just did.

Yes but you can't show that in a pub in England.

You can , just not legally.

[Chicog]

Nothing to do with Sky this time; BT are showing live along with the BBC. No clash with the Scottish final which kicks off at the normal (?) time of 3pm. Fair play to BT for showing the Europa League final for free to air earlier this week (though probably a contractual obligation)

Not contractual at all, it was promotional.

Obviously they aren't getting the return they expected on their 897m pound investment....

I'm sure BT have a contractual obligation to put some games free to air, but I don't know the details and I don't know if finals are included. I would agree that they aren't getting a good return on their investment. CL final next Saturday is also free to air on BT.

Let me explain Manuel:

John Petter, chief executive of BT Consumer, said: “We’ve always said we wanted to give top quality sport back to the people and making the UEFA Champions League and Europa League finals free to everyone in the UK does this in a big way.

"We’re also bringing BT Sport to a new generation of younger sports fans who view their entertainment online, through social media and on their mobile devices.

"We plan to make these finals the most social sports broadcast ever, with lots of exciting content in the build-up and on the night across YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Vine."

“BT Sport has pioneered the way when it comes to new technologies and digital platforms, whether that’s live Ultra HD, our immersive BT Sport App or red button functionality on YouView," he added.

"Today’s announcements will take this further, and there’s plenty more that we’re looking at, whether that’s more programming in live Ultra HD, new App developments or our recent Virtual Reality trials at the FA Cup semi-finals and NBA.”

[Chicog]

If you have 365 sports you can replay for up to 7 days which is what I just did.

Yes but you can't show that in a pub in England.

You can , just not legally.

My but we're in a pedantic mood today. Do we have to state the bloody obvious in every email or just the ones you're going to be picky about?

[alfieconn]

If you have 365 sports you can replay for up to 7 days which is what I just did.

Yes but you can't show that in a pub in England.

You can , just not legally.

My but we're in a pedantic mood today. Do we have to state the bloody obvious in every email or just the ones you're going to be picky about?

So if it was so obvious why did you post the above or are you the only one who can state something so obvious ?

[Chicog]

Alfie, the Smug Bore competition got cancelled, didn't you hear?

You can stop trying now.