What I think would help is if the FTA stations were allowed to use their digital channels the way they wanted rather than being restricted to shows that have already been seen elsewhere.
At the moment foxtel is in the box seat due to Kerry Packer forcing seven to pay above the going rate last time for the footy, then they needed a third partner to enable them to show all the games, so foxtel got a sweetheart deal for the matches the televise, leaving the FTA stations to pay the rest. Hence ridiculous ads and Better Homes and Gardens. If TEN , Seven or Nine can use their own broadcasting equipment to get more shows into more TV's then they don't need Foxtel, so FOXTEL will have to pay more for matches.
Personally I would prefer for Digital TV to have it more than foxtel, (even though I have foxtel) it costs me extra for the sports package , when the only time I use it is to watch the tigers when they aren't on FTA. Lost interest in other sports years ago, (with a passing interest in the Cricket scores) .
As to commentators I wouldn't miss, BT, Walls, Healy, Loyd, Lane, Morfit , Dermie the list goes on. I think only Bruce and Eddie (when not commentating on Pies) and maybe Commeti