How the U.S. coverage of the Grand Final was handled

[ccgrad97]

In a word...sloppy. Last year, there was only one minor error when they aired commercial time during the pre-match festivities. This year it was worse. They put commericals in oddest places. Before the
national anthem, after a goal, before a center bounce, during the lap of honor. It was a mess. Many of the commercials came during the 1st and 2nd quarter. And unlike Aussie ads, they were 5 MINUTE BLOCKS!!!
I quickly was trying to find a number to Fox Sports World. This was a very unclassy thing. What got me was when they went to commerical after the medal presentation, they would come back during in the
middle of the Lap of Honor. 2 minutes of that were shown to American viewers, and right when James Hird was kissing his wife, they cut away for good this time. Fox has indeed earned the wooden spoon of
broadcasting tonight. They obviously don't take their coverage of the AFL seriously, and don't notice that there are lots of footy fans across the States. Aussie Rules is treated like a second class
citizen on their schedule. So, even though it won't do any good, I plan to write Fox Sports International in the morning. Rupert doesn't like it when i'm angry.

Pat McCurry
Host, The Footy Plus One Show

 

[Stealth bomber]

Yes, I was forced to view this terrible butchering of a broadcast feed as well. I complained in another post.

Basically, what was with those ads? Channel 7 breaks for a quickie after a goal and we have to see the same five commercials repeated ad nasuem, sometimes three or four times in one break. (and I always liked our Fosters' ads but that was ridiculous).

Gee, I wonder if Fox Sports World televises any soccer.

Pathetic coverage. I am very happy though that we got to see the medal ceremonies. I was pretty much waiting for them to pre-empt that too.

 

[oh_my_hat]

I'm surprised that it wasn't on ESPN. Don't they normally have the rights to the AFL Grand Final (and the rest of the season for that matter)? To have a 5 minute commercial break after a goal seems to be ridiculous. Hopefully your letters of complaint reach the right person at FOX.

 

[Stealth bomber]

ESPN always carried the Grand Final in the 80's but haven't for a very long time.

They decided the X-Games and all that sh_t were more important.

 

[oh_my_hat]

Stealth Bomber / ccgrad97, are you ex-pats or American? If the latter I would be interested in how you got into Aussie Rules.

 

[Eagle_Fan]

The new Fosters ad? You mean the g'day 'I play football without a helmet' one?

I loved it!

 

[Sonic]

WOW, Fox Sports World sound like real idiots. Being in Australia ofcourse I didnt see it but if I had to put up with stupidity like that I would be ringing and writing like you. I hope that Fox Sports telecast's get better next year or some better station get's the right's. Footy shouldn't be treated like that.

 

[ccgrad97]

There really aren't any other sports networks to go to if Fox Sports World gives up the contract. ESPN had their chance and we got screwed. The highlights program was on a 13-day delay, and the 1997 Grand Final was brought on a same night tape delay. This is after they promised live coverage. Instead, they stayed with a baseball game going into extra innings. The AFL, Foster's, and The Australian Football Assn. of North America were steamed. That caused the AFL to go to Fox. It will be hard to say if highlights will be shown next year because the network battle in Australia may have an effect on coverage here. Channel Seven may give up TV rights, and Fox may have to start up a whole new contract with a new network. It will be hard to ay what the future brings for footy fans in the States.

------------------
Pat McCurry

 

[Stealth bomber]

oh_my_hat

I'm 100% yank engaged to an East Keilor woman I've seen seriously for four years (very long story)...been heavily into the footy since seeing it live at the G a couple years ago. Admittedly jumped on the Bomber wagon then, but it was pretty much a requirement considering both she and the future in-laws all barrack hard for the red and black.

Looks like I'll be coming over in December, possibly for good if I can get a visa that allows work before I run out of the lump sum I've been saving for a year. If not, I'll stay probably six months. In the meantime I'm studying up on my AFL history a bit, even made a premiership chart that I'm trying to memorize.

After watching the opening weekend of the NFL today, frankly I'm bored to tears. Suddenly domestic football seems just so uninteresting (though I still follow college gridiron closely).

 

[jod23]

Stealth Bomber, yeah i get you on the NFL i like it but its just not as freeflowing and exciting as Aussie Rules. Aussie Rules football i think is the best sport in the world (basketball not included cos bball is the game of gods such as michael).

 

[Stealth bomber]

Wonderful sport it is, the footy. I absolutely love the tradition and suburban nature. The atmosphere at a live match is extraordinary. I don't see the same emotional highs and lows in most of our sports anymore. Pride and teamwork still seem to matter.

I only regret not discovering it sooner.

 

[Drakey]

You had better get over here quick then Stealth Bomber. The tradition & suburban nature of the game is disappearing pretty damn fast.