No more iFollow

[NW9Valiant]

End of iFollow. I'm not sure what this means for international fans. Preventing people from being able to watch every one of their club's games is going to dent interest as well. 

EFL doing a great job by fans chasing a greater collective money pot instead of making the game more accessible as usual.

[robf]

The statement says it will show 248 League One (editorial note - better put the League Two figures here as well) and 248 League Two games.

A quick Google search says there are 506 games a season in League One and 552 in League Two so they will basically be showing less than 50% of all the games. When you add in the fact they are bound to show a greater percentage of the more popular clubs then Vale fans who can't get to the game are going to see a real drop off in the number of games available to watch. 

 

[valefan16]

How can League One have less games than League Two when both have the same amount of teams? Odd one!

the statement mentions ifollow ceasing domestic streaming which makes me wonder if the international streaming will remain?

[NW9Valiant]

Reminds me a little bit of Cricket going off to pay TV to chase the money; in the longer term it suffered from lack of fan interest and engagement in the local game. 

Football is obviously a different kettle of fish but I think there's some comparison there. With games being on iFollow it was very easy to stay engaged whether home or away (I've personally haven't felt closer thanks to it). Now if you're a fan and can't go to either at all, you've got very little (no choice) and quite likely the non-local fan will lapse especially in a cost of living crisis. 

A really disappointing move by the EFL all around. I'm devastated, especially at the prospect of not being able to watch the away games on a stream.

[TJHValiant]

1 minute ago, valefan16 said:

How can League One have less games than League Two when both have the same amount of teams? Odd one!

the statement mentions ifollow ceasing domestic streaming which makes me wonder if the international streaming will remain?

I guess it will. I mean Sky Sports in the UK can’t surely tempt the EFL to give up international revenue for games. 
 

I’m hoping, as someone who uses a VPN for many games to access them in the UK, I’ll still be able to see all games somehow. 

[NellyTheValiant]

10 minutes ago, robf said:

The statement says it will show 248 League One (editorial note - better put the League Two figures here as well) and 248 League Two games.

A quick Google search says there are 506 games a season in League One and 552 in League Two so they will basically be showing less than 50% of all the games. When you add in the fact they are bound to show a greater percentage of the more popular clubs then Vale fans who can't get to the game are going to see a real drop off in the number of games available to watch. 

 

Does it also mean fewer Saturday 3pm kick offs too and the annoyance of not being able to book trains and or hotels so far in advance?

[Vtid]

At least Brian will be happy 🙄 

[Fosse69]

Does it also mean fewer Saturday 3pm kick offs too and the annoyance of not being able to book trains and or hotels so far in advance?

Yes, but I think they said they would decide the first half of the season fairly quickly. What I will miss are the extended highlights Sunday morning on the present system.

Sent from my SM-A715F using onevalefan mobile app

[robf]

17 minutes ago, NellyTheValiant said:

Does it also mean fewer Saturday 3pm kick offs too and the annoyance of not being able to book trains and or hotels so far in advance?

Yep, sorry to be so cynical but I suspect the timings will prioritise the Sky Sport listings people rather than people going to games. So, if Sky want us to have a game at say Exeter at midday on a Sunday, I suspect that's what will happen*

*Note: for those us based in the SW that's not actually too much of an issue at all but I know I am in a very small minority here!

[londonvale]

26 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

How can League One have less games than League Two when both have the same amount of teams? Odd one!

the statement mentions ifollow ceasing domestic streaming which makes me wonder if the international streaming will remain?

Domestic Streaming
From the 2024/25 season onward, this agreement makes more matches available to stream and will effectively replace the current Sky Sports EFL red button coverage and the EFL’s domestic streaming option provided via iFollow and club streaming services. Domestic streaming audio services will remain alongside existing audio-visual arrangements for international audiences via iFollow and club streaming services.

 

Last bit says international arrangements remain

[Fosse69]

How can League One have less games than League Two when both have the same amount of teams? Odd one!
the statement mentions ifollow ceasing domestic streaming which makes me wonder if the international streaming will remain?

Both leagues play 12 x 46 = 552 games plus 5 POs.

Sent from my SM-A715F using onevalefan mobile app

[Doha]

22 minutes ago, NellyTheValiant said:

Does it also mean fewer Saturday 3pm kick offs too and the annoyance of not being able to book trains and or hotels so far in advance?

We're going to get shafted with matches getting moved.

 

[Tim vlf]

shocking decision ! have to rely on radio joke for away games if not going ! rubbish

[robf]

30 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

How can League One have less games than League Two when both have the same amount of teams? Odd one!

the statement mentions ifollow ceasing domestic streaming which makes me wonder if the international streaming will remain?

I was relying on Google for my figures - may well be wrong. However, the broad point that it will broadcast less than 50% of games remains.

[robf]

4 minutes ago, londonvale said:

Last bit says international arrangements remain

So with Sky showing around 50% of matches there's no way that Vale fans in the UK, who can't go, will use a VPN and log on for the International iFollow coverage of every game, especially the ones not on Sky. 

Yep, that definitely won't happen.

No chance.