Just imagine if a subscription TV channel - Sky Sports or BT Sport - was going to show Cristiano Ronaldo’s second Manchester United bow.
By now, there would be a countdown clock, for sure.
Six days, five hours, 45 minutes, 20 seconds until Cristiano’s first pout.
And there would be a name for the occasion obviously.
‘CR7 - The Sequel’, something like that.
Presenters might have to wear special gear, the preview programmes would already be rolling out.
And after the interminable previews and before the interminable reviews, we would have a Ronnie-cam during proceedings.
Instead, if you plan to keep up-to-date with how Ronaldo (below) is shaping up against the might of Newcastle United on Saturday, you will have to turn your wireless on.
Out-of-date, old-fashioned, archaic even. And absolutely fantastic.
The wonderful Ian Dennis will break away from Ronaldo’s latest free-kick to bring you news of a sending-off at Sutton, or a late winner at Leyton Orient. At half-time, Mark Chapman will give us an update on England’s batting collapse, will check the BMW PGA Championship leaderboard at Wentworth and tee-up a half-time report from Warrington Wolves against Salford Red Devils in the Super League.
They will make a big deal of the Ronaldo Show, of course, but the BBC’s traditions will still remain.
You can bet Sky Sports explored the possibility of changing their plans.
When they pay the sort of money they do, who could blame them? And in this day and age, the very idea that a Premier League football match of such interest simply cannot be shown live is almost beyond comprehension.
But it is still great.
Because the ‘3pm TV blackout’ is only ALMOST beyond comprehension.
My local town team plays in The Pitching In Northern Premier League and have a fixture at Radcliffe FC on September 11.
Would a few fans be dissuaded from going if Ronaldo’s second coming was on live TV in the pub? Quite possibly.
But on September 11, they can go and watch their team, listen to the United match on Radio 5 Live if they wish, and then watch the highlights on Match of the Day after a few drinks. It is old-school but there is nothing wrong with a bit of old-school now and again.
It feels slightly comforting that the first game back for one of the most spectacular transfers of recent times has not been moved about for TV.
In their annoyance at missing out, the subscription channels might well apply pressure to have the 3pm blackout lifted at some stage. The Premier League money-grabbers will probably agree to it.
In any other country, the idea that the sort of match that will take place at Old Trafford would not be shown live on any TV channel would be regarded as some sort of joke.
But never mind, because the protected time slot is a last vestige of English footballing tradition. And there is nothing wrong with that.
