Fans of the National League have given their verdict on the new match-day streaming service, with reviews mixed so far.
The National League launched their flagship streaming service last weekend, allowing supporters of fifth-tier clubs to watch matches online.
It comes after months of campaigning from Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who pushed for the streaming service to be introduced.
But the controversial move has been met with a mixed reception from fans of National League clubs.
How have fans reacted to the National League streaming service?
Launched during an initial ‘trial period’, supporters can purchase matches for a reduced price of £4.75, set to rise to £9.50 when the first two weeks pass.
It gives supporters the option to watch multiple matches from across the division, something one non-league fan has enjoyed so far:
Darran Pearce
2022-12-13 21:44
Incredible scenes in the other national league game tonight as Dorking have scored twice in injury time to come from 2-1 down to 3-2 up. Loving being able to watch the games via streaming
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One of the major benefits of the streaming service is the ability for foreign fans to follow their teams:
Wrexham_KYUSA
2022-12-09 09:47
Just a heads up to you #WrexhamAfc fans in the United States who are going to be streaming from the national League website. That 4.75 in English currency translates to $5.88 in US currency.
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However, there have been concerns around the ways in which profits from the service are distributed:
Micky Bananas Kane
2022-12-07 19:17
Can you imagine any Football League in the country saying "any money a home club makes out of away fans attending a match, has to be paid to the away team"? Obviously not, that would be mad, but that is EXACTLY what the National League are doing with their streaming package. 🤯
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Another worries clubs could be left short-changed from the arrangement:
Ed Palmer
2022-12-08 17:48
@Ollie_Bayliss So, if I understand correctly: Home team incurs costs of putting the game on, and potentially a drop in ticket sales for away fans choosing not to travel. The majority of the revenue from those same away fans won’t go towards compensating the home club, but to the away club…?
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And another fan worries the share of the pot could be distributed more evenly:
Chris Gosling
2022-12-08 14:52
@Ollie_Bayliss My first choice is wherever possible I will go to the game, nothing compares to being there. But I will use for away games I cannot make. Still don’t think the funds are being distributed fairly. If pay £4.75 to watch us play Maidenhead Saturday they get 4p of that I believe!
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Away from the costs, supporters have been worried about how the viewing experience might differ from a traditional matchday:
former wheelbarrow haver
2022-12-08 22:27
not sure how to take in the match on Saturday tbh. want to check out the National League streaming service and be able to see the game, but also not hearing Charlie & Stall wouldn't be the same maybe mute the video and listen to the radio commentary if there's not too much delay?
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Others have already turned their back on the streaming service after just one weekend:
Trevor Davies
2022-12-10 11:41
@TheVanaramaNL Had enough of streaming during covid, nothing beats being at the game and never will. The biggest concern of all though with this is how have the National League come up with the bonkers revenue split proposed. Heavily penalises the smaller clubs in the division.
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