Friday December 16, 1983, was a mile-stone in British TV history. Match of the Day broadcast a live game, between Manchester United and Tottenham, for the first time. By that point, however, English league and cup matches had been shown live in Scandinavia for over 14 years. The reason for the time lag was mainly the English clubs’ concern about loss of audience revenue, but Swedish reporter Lars-Gunnar Bjorklund’s groundbreaking ideas and bold approach also had a part to play.
In 1969 a new TV channel was about to be launched in Sweden but in order to watch the broadcasts, viewers with older sets would have to buy an adapter. When Bjorklund was asked by his editor for suggestions to boost sales, he mentioned an idea he had been mulling over for a few years. In the mid-1960s he had been covering the speedway World Championships at Wembley, and also took the opportunity to watch his favourite team, Spurs, at White Hart Lane. He wondered why Swedish TV shouldn’t broadcast English matches during the winter half of the year, outside the Swedish Allsvenskan season. Now, he thought, this idea’s time had come. Bjorklund was immediately tasked with investigating whether it was possible.
This story is from the December 2019 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2019 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
