Cats v Eagles and Dogs v Saints live into melbourne

[gocatsgo]

It looks as though that after 40 years of televising games, channel 7 in its last season has finally done something right.

According to the TV times listed at afl.com.au, Bulldogs v StKilda will be televised lIVE (not on delay) into Melbourne on free-to-air, bumping Fremantle and Carlton to replay status at 10pm.

Possibly the most interesting of all sees Geelong v West Coast televised LIVE into Melbourne from 1.30pm Sunday followed by a replay of the other Sunday matches at 5pm.

For years, Victorians have been subjected to watching games such as Syndey v Adelaide, Port v Brisbane instead of their own sides this being due to worry about crowd figures etc.

I can see why the Geelong game is being televised, Brian Cook knows that all or most of the seats at Geelong have been pre-sold and so even if the crowd doesn't turn up, the club still gets the money and they are also getting exposure to Meloburne and surrounds.

But the one that stumps me is StKilda v Bulldogs when another Victorian club is playing interstate at the same time. Both clubs have not sold too many seats for the match (Bulldogs home game and currently only have 12,500 members) if the weather turns nasty (even though the game is indoors) some people still will not go to the game and would prefer to watch it on TV, expecially if it is live.

Personally, I think Carlton supporters would be prettty peeved about not getting live coverage but I'm not complaining, I'll be at Shell Stadium no matter what.

 

[elt]

Another ridiculous programming decision from the increasingly inept Ch7. I don't support any of the teams mentioned in this thread but imho the AFL should apply pressure to ensure preference for telecasts in Melbourne goes first to games involving a Melbourne team but being played interstate. Supporters don't have the option of going to see that game whereas at least the Saints and Bulldogs can go to Coronial.

It is all well and good for Ch7 to claim they only want to show what rates but let's all remember something. No matter who has the tv rights and how much they pay for them, they are still making money from football. As far as I'm concerned that means they can take the good with the bad and ensure Melbourne based fans can watch their club on tv when it is very difficult to get to the game (i.e. being played on the other side of the country).


------------------
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

 

[CJH]

Maybe in years gone past Channel 7 have meekly submitted themselves to the wishes of the AFL who are keen to protect their gate figures.

Now that there is no advantage in sucking up they are will telecast whatever game they feel will will return the best rating figures?

Just a thought!

------------------
TigerFury.net - Independant Richmond Tigers website

 

[Hit The Boundary Saints]

Bulldogs vs Saints is not quite live, actual game starts at 7, while TV starts at 7.30, which actually is 7.40 after channel 7 get their 10 minutes of crap out of the way.
However I've got to agree that the Geelong game should be televised in preference to the WB v StK game.
It is just another sign that the league is pandering to the armchair supporter, not the real supporters who go week after week. The Geelong supporters really don't have a choice this weekend, whereas the Bulldogs and Saints supporters do.

 

[Hit The Boundary Saints]

Whoops, misread the fixture. Read Carlton supporters in the previous post

 

[sainter]

Beat me to it, Hit The Boundary Saints.

I've been told that all Saturday night games start at 7pm this year. I'm not sure if this is the case for Friday night games.

Carlton's game is being shown live on c7. I still would have thought their supporters deserved the free to air coverage, however viewers will have to get used to it because from next year I believe Foxtel will be showing three live matches exclusively each weekend (Correct me if I'm wrong).

Live pay TV coverage and 1.5 hours on delay on channel 7 does not sound so bad, compared to no free to air coverage at all for 3 matches each weekend.


------------------
Fortius Quo Fidelius