AFL close to $2b broadcast deal

[the dog's kennel]

This does not seem like a good deal at all - even financially. It's just the rights are for an extra year.

The NRL have smashed them. They will get 1.5 billion over 6 years minimum (probably a lot more cause the final 2 years will be at a much higher rate) just for their free to air games alone.

So the deal is bad for fans, and bad for finances.

Way to drop the ball, AFL.

 

[Abomination]

According to the dimwits on Footy Classified, this deal is "huge" for clubs and they'll be "ecstatic."

Yeah, most definitely, if the AFL's idea of a healthy competition is drip-feeding money to clubs for perpetuity, because there will be zero exposure for 2/3 of the league (ie. the struggling and smaller clubs, and anyone else the AFL doesn't want to be successful.)

Seriously, if they're only getting 3 games a week, does anyone here think Seven would even want to touch a game featuring lower-tier teams?

 

[seanoff]

Jumping the gun here boys and girls.

fox may well have an agreement to stream the games, thus the huge number. They could put up a fox sports afl go on any platform, much like foxtel go currently. In which case you can watch it anywhere. Pay your $150 for the season watch the footy anywhere.

You all dont think fox etc dont see what is happening.

 

[Giant Pete]

The Giants making all clubs richer.

 

[Tiger Toffee]

12 thursday night games WTF, that only works for teams coming off the bye and going into the bye, clubs will crack the shits having only a 5 day break against teams having a 6/7/8/9 day break, will be a disaster.

 

[Taylor]

If the pay TV subscription is included in your membership then what is the issue?

Is it that those who don't buy any memberships and only watch on FTA feel entitled to enjoy content they contribute emotional energy to before kicking their Chinese knock off footy at the park?

 

[BACCS]

Have they confirmed that Channel 7 need to show games in HD, including the GF? That was the big thing I thought was meant to come into the new deal.

 

[Grandaddy J]

Also on the note of growth in Gold Coast and Western Sydney - what is their reasoning behind only 3 games on FTA? Are they actually f****** stupid enough to think that people who have little to no interest in the game are going to sign up to Foxtel just to gauge their interest in the sport? If you want to grow the f****** game, put all nine games a week on FTA. That way, people who aren't familiar with the game, especially in those states, might flick through the channels on their TV, settle on the footy because there's nothing else on and become hooked from there. The less games there are on FTA, the less the game attracts new viewers. It's that simple.

 

[Abomination]

12 thursday night games WTF, that only works for teams coming off the bye and going into the bye, clubs will crack the shits having only a 5 day break against teams having a 6/7/8/9 day break, will be a disaster.

Mathematically, what this means is Thursday night matches must feature a combination of two teams from the previous Thursday and Friday night's matches, from the round prior. The AFLPA will never allow 5 day breaks, thus precluding any teams from Saturday or Sunday matches (ergo, 14 of 18 teams).

It's a self-perpetuating loop now. Seven will demand the big games if they only get 3 matches, and the fixturing will force itself to play the same teams in the high-exposure timeslots. The AFL have sold out for the money, simple as that.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

This does not seem like a good deal at all - even financially. It's just the rights are for an extra year.

The NRL have smashed them. They will get 1.5 billion over 6 years minimum (probably a lot more cause the final 2 years will be at a much higher rate) just for their free to air games alone.

So the deal is bad for fans, and bad for finances.

Way to drop the ball, AFL.

NRL also have state of origin

 

[stewie dew]

do you think the likes of MMM, 3aw, SEN etc will have streaming rights to allow broadcast via them?

And is that additional to that TV deal?

 

[Abomination]

Also on the note of growth in Gold Coast and Western Sydney - what is their reasoning behind only 3 games on FTA? Are they actually f****** stupid enough to think that people who have little to no interest in the game are going to sign up to Foxtel just to gauge their interest in the sport? If you want to grow the f****** game, put all nine games a week on FTA. That way, people who aren't familiar with the game, especially in those states, might flick through the channels on their TV, settle on the footy because there's nothing else on and become hooked from there. The less games there are on FTA, the less the game attracts new viewers. It's that simple.

Was never going to happen once Foxtel bought a stake in Ten. They've effectively nullified their position in sports rights biddings to force more premium sport onto Foxtel, and Nine were never in the running with NRL taking up their programming.

It also explains the longer deal, because any idiot can see where technology will be heading within 2-3 years, let alone where it'll be in 7 years time. Remarkably shortsighted deal, this.

 

[Tiger Toffee]

Mathematically, what this means is Thursday night matches must feature a combination of two teams from the previous Thursday and Friday night's matches, from the round prior. The AFLPA will never allow 5 day breaks, thus precluding any teams from Saturday or Sunday matches (ergo, 14 of 18 teams).

It's a self-perpetuating loop now. Seven will demand the big games if they only get 3 matches, and the fixturing will force itself to play the same teams in the high-exposure timeslots. The AFL have sold out for the money, simple as that.

Would have to think they would only work in perth/adelaide and sydney, imagine a team having a shocker of a season and been given 5/6 thursday games like carlton had with friday this year, beltings and no crowd.

 

[Astro_]

Any mention about the Bulldogs getting a Friday night game in the next 6 years?

 

[Papa G]

Mathematically, what this means is Thursday night matches must feature a combination of two teams from the previous Thursday and Friday night's matches, from the round prior. The AFLPA will never allow 5 day breaks, thus precluding any teams from Saturday or Sunday matches (ergo, 14 of 18 teams).

It's a self-perpetuating loop now. Seven will demand the big games if they only get 3 matches, and the fixturing will force itself to play the same teams in the high-exposure timeslots. The AFL have sold out for the money, simple as that.

I hear what your saying, and it may happen like that, but it won't be an issue if it's played every second week.

 

[Abomination]

Any mention about the Bulldogs getting a Friday night game in the next 6 years?

I think you'll get your answer when next year's fixture is released. Remember how many Friday night games North were supposed to get this year after showing success in 2014?

Then they all went to Carlton.

 

[Tigerforlife78]

If they reduce FTA games to 3 per week without implementing an affordable, high-def, subscriber-based means of streaming games (a la NBA TV) and sell their souls to Murdoch they can kiss any growth in the expansion markets goodbye. Would be a monumental utensil-up if we're left with Telstra's bullshit streaming service that doesn't allow you to stream games to your PC or laptop unless you live overseas.

Also on the note of growth in Gold Coast and Western Sydney - what is their reasoning behind only 3 games on FTA? Are they actually f****** stupid enough to think that people who have little to no interest in the game are going to sign up to Foxtel just to gauge their interest in the sport? If you want to grow the f****** game, put all nine games a week on FTA. That way, people who aren't familiar with the game, especially in those states, might flick through the channels on their TV, settle on the footy because there's nothing else on and become hooked from there. The less games there are on FTA, the less the game attracts new viewers. It's that simple.

Cheers mate, saved me a bunch of typing. What a complete cash grab without thinking about the fans or the future.

 

[seanoff]

Have they confirmed that Channel 7 need to show games in HD, including the GF? That was the big thing I thought was meant to come into the new deal.

Ch7 like 9 and 10 are hamstrung there. If they show on them on the main channel they have to be in SD.

Thank our ******* political overlords for this stupidity.

There is little or nothing the afl, or the nrl for that matter, can do.

 

[aCunningPlan]

Also on the note of growth in Gold Coast and Western Sydney - what is their reasoning behind only 3 games on FTA? Are they actually f****** stupid enough to think that people who have little to no interest in the game are going to sign up to Foxtel just to gauge their interest in the sport? If you want to grow the f****** game, put all nine games a week on FTA. That way, people who aren't familiar with the game, especially in those states, might flick through the channels on their TV, settle on the footy because there's nothing else on and become hooked from there. The less games there are on FTA, the less the game attracts new viewers. It's that simple.

I'd hazard a guess and say you appear to be the stupid one here, all Gold Coast games are on seven mate in Queensland and all gas games are on seven mate in nsw. The option to watch local sides in their market is there, people in Western Sydney just simply don't tune in and don't turn up in big enough numbers to justify the side. Three games a week is more than enough for those who have a fleeting interest, only the hard core fan needs more.

 

[Abomination]

I hear what your saying, and it may happen like that, but it won't be an issue if it's played every second week.

Thursday night games every second week are mathematically impossible unless you want to play the same 2 teams from the prior Friday night...

 

[Tiger Toffee]

I hear what your saying, and it may happen like that, but it won't be an issue if it's played every second week.

Someone still goes into the game with a 5 day break, thats the problem which hasnt been thought out by those making the stupid decisions.

 

[Tigerforlife78]

I'd hazard a guess and say you appear to be the stupid one here, all Gold Coast games are on seven mate in Queensland and all gas games are on seven mate in nsw. The option to watch local sides in their market is there, people in Western Sydney just simply don't tune in and don't turn up in big enough numbers to justify the side. Three games a week is more than enough for those who have a fleeting interest, only the hard core fan needs more.

and what happens when the hard core fans get pissed off that cant afford foxtel? screw them? I have foxtel but many dont.

 

[Struggle]

Ch7 like 9 and 10 are hamstrung there. If they show on them on the main channel they have to be in SD.

Thank our ******* political overlords for this stupidity.

There is little or nothing the afl, or the nrl for that matter, can do.

If only they had multiple channels they could use....

Ch10/ONE were doing it 6 years ago

 

[BoxMatrix]

It's the Saturday afternoon game which hardly anyone watches anyway.

You also have to realize that means that their will be less teams getting more exposure on a bigger audience. Not good.

Another reason why it doesn't rate as well is because it's delayed.

 

[The_Reaper]

Too desperate to get the $2 billion figure that they gave up too much.

**** you Gillon