3pm kick offs have zero impact on lower leagues. It's mind-boggling that football rights in 2021 are sold based on people who still think television works like it's 1994. There isn't a single person with an inclination to watch a match that's broadcast anywhere in the world, or even watch a TV show that's premiering in the states live, or anything available anywhere to anyone that isn't going to be watching it
Everyone that wants to watch 3pm games are already doing so. We're years beyond the point where anyone under 50 doesn't know how to access streams. When a TV game isn't televised people don't go to the garden centre and wait for MOTD to come on the telly that night to watch highlights with Gary and the boys. There's something almost naively charming about people who think that world exists any more. The fact football rights in this country are still sold as if it is however, is frustrating.
The reason why the United game won't be shown on traditional TV is simply to humour those who want to pretend it's still 1994 and has absolutely nothing any more to do with lower-league attendances. It's like DJs talking over the ending of songs on the charts to stop people recording the top 40 on a cassette tape - it's adorable they think that's still a really big problem but it's equally as outdated and ridiculous.
