AFL announces 4.5billion, 7 year media deal (2025-2031 inclusive)

[Gigantor]

The answer to more Thursday night games is reducing the number of rounds to 20 and spreading these across 23 weeks.
As it happens, 20 rounds (180 games) goes quite neatly into 23 weeks.
Full rounds of 9 games to open and close season (2 weeks)
Usual two rounds spread over 3 weeks in middle of season (3 weeks)
Then 18 rounds of 8 games per round, 2 teams with byes each round (18 weeks).
This means that the teams with byes in one week get to play the following Thurs night game.
It means every team in the comp is guaranteed a minimum of two Thurs night games.

 

[Freomaniac]

The answer to more Thursday night games is reducing the number of rounds to 20 and spreading these across 23 weeks.
As it happens, 20 rounds (180 games) goes quite neatly into 23 weeks.
Full rounds of 9 games to open and close season (2 weeks)
Usual two rounds spread over 3 weeks in middle of season (3 weeks)
Then 18 rounds of 8 games per round, 2 teams with byes each round (18 weeks).
This means that the teams with byes in one week get to play the following Thurs night game.
It means every team in the comp is guaranteed a minimum of two Thurs night games.

Also.... Talking about 2021. Is the AFL going to have another 17 game season next year?

Or will foxtel and 7 want the AFL for each team to have 22 or possibly a 24 games to make up for this years shortfall?

 

[Gigantor]

 

[JohnZ]

When did they play the previous week?

Week 1
Thursday: Team A v Team B
Friday Team C v Team D

Week 2
Thursday: Team B v Team C

So no need for 5 day breaks, and Team A and D can play friday, saturday or sunday in week 2 with no problems.

 

[Starburns_]

Week 1
Thursday: Team A v Team B
Friday Team C v Team D

Week 2
Thursday: Team B v Team C

So no need for 5 day breaks, and Team A and D can play friday, saturday or sunday in week 2 with no problems.

Week 2 also could introduce teams E and F on the Friday night after they played Saturday of week 1.

 

[Kwality]

Week 2 also could introduce teams E and F on the Friday night after they played Saturday of week 1.

Travel?

 

[Starburns_]

Travel?

If there's no trips to or from WA involved it should be pergectly fine.

 

[Kwality]

If there's no trips to or from WA involved it should be pergectly fine.

Thats the current policy?
Maybe we could get real over what an away game is & have all teams travel equally, nah, too radical.

 

[Starburns_]

Maybe we could get real over what an away game is & have all teams travel equally, nah, too radical.

Is there a thread on this site that you don't pollute with this moronic dribble? Such a broken record.

 

[NoobPie]

Foxtel mulling early strike to extend broadcast deal with AFL

Foxtel will try to get an extension on its AFL broadcast deal sooner rather than later because of increased competition.

www.theage.com.au

"Industry sources who spoke anonymously because broadcast rights discussions are confidential said Foxtel boss Patrick Delany has contacted the AFL and wants to extend its current deal. "

 

[BringBackTorps]

sbs.theworldgame.com 21.11.20

Foxtel reduced in July 2020, using Force Majeure provisions, its A League & Socceroos Rights' $ from $56m pa (including contra of c. $8m pa)- c. $28m pa for 2020/2021 season (It extended for 1 season only; & warned it was willing to depart from "2nd tier sports" in the near future).

Foxtel now, however, after failing to acquire a new Rights' deal for Super RU & Wallabies' games, appears to have a new & increased appetite for sports' Rights.

For a new A League deal that Foxtel is apparently keen to obtain, sbs stated

"A new pay-TV pact would likely see the Rights value of the game jump significantly" (ie well above $28m pa, but almost certainly not to the old $56m pa- my words & emphasis)".

Fox Sports U-turn offers cash boost to independent A-League

Fox Sports is understood to be in discussions with the A-League club’s representative body APFCA about extending its long-standing rights deal beyond July 2021, the date its divorce from the sport was due to be finalised.

theworldgame.sbs.com.au

The A League's ratings have been abysmal in recent years, crowds & MSM interest also in steep, long term decline.

This new sports' appetite by Foxtel bodes well for the AFL future Rights' negotiations/deal (?) with Foxtel, when it expires in 2022.

The NRL extended their covid-influenced deal with Foxtel for 7 years in May 2020.
The NRL, uncharacteristically, refused to release the financial details, which suggests they were very poor for the NRL. R. Masters wrote the NRL copped a 25% haircut on its 2 new deals, cf the old $.

 

[Gigantor]

The days when Fox could rely on just having the two rugby codes are over.
Lose one of the NRL or the AFL, and it's a quick demise (at least much quicker than what is already happening).
NRL already agreed to a long term extension.
The AFL will demand decent coin to remain with Fox, when the time comes, all things being equal, the AFL will have options.
More than likely, Fox will have to pay whatever the AFL is demanding (perhaps even with reduced exclusivity, in particular, as far as streaming rights go).
AFL will be well ahead of the curve, regardless of which route they choose.

 

[Kwality]

Travel is an issue & ignoring it wont make it go away when dealing with the FIXture with a dollop of Covid.

 

[Kwality]

With StanSport coupling with 9s FTA for Rugby Australia there has been speculation over its potential to be a player in the next AFL media rights.

Optus arent worried by StanSport:

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

'Stan Sport wasn’t a worry for Optus, noting it had a very different sports offering.
Stan Sport faced a formidable competitor in Fox Sport, which had a raft of sporting content on its platform, including all NRL, AFL and cricket matches. Its channels are on pay-TV and streaming group Foxtel as well as its sports streaming service Kayo Sports.
... the group had no plans to expand its sports slate, with still more growth to come from its football offering. '


A good explanation of what StanSport offer is linked below to media industry site Mumbrella ( no paywall):
https://mumbrella.com.au/whats-the-strategy-of-stan-sport-658095

 

[Rob]

Interesting article - but the high volume low cost model hasn't happened with Stan yet. All they've got is rugby, and only a part of rugby at that. International fixtures not controlled by RA, 6 nations, World cups are yet to be owned by Stan. They might get a bit of tennis, but that's one of those sports that people will watch (at certain times) but not pay extra for. A bit like the Olympics - Fox had a go at that with a brilliant multichannel service. Unfortunately it didn't make them any money because while everyone would watch it, they wouldn't pay extra for it.

Other than that, what the plan? A lot of the sports "to the right of the line" either have their own streaming platform already or have no ability to pull audiences in on their own. So it's difficult to see them pulling it off, even if it is an aim to go high volume. If that strategy worked, then Bein sports would have gone streaming only. Classic example of cheap, high volume programming.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

From the Foxtel mulling early strike to extend AFL broadcast article;

The company reported a revenue fall of US$18 million to $US496 million for Foxtel in the first quarter despite an increase in the number of subscribers. Foxtel's total paying subscribers increased by 7 per cent to 3.29 million as of September 30. Subscribers for Kayo and Binge climbed 67 per cent. Kayo has 681,000 subscribers (644,000 paying) while Binge has 321,000 users (290,000 paying). The amount of revenue per user increased by 1 per cent to just $US56 ($77).

Take out say 40,000 pubs and club in 3.29m subscribers figure leaves with 3.25m subscribers of a potential 9.5-9.7 million households in Oz. No idea if that includes Foxtel Go type subscriptions, But that long term average of only about 30% pay TV penetration in Oz continues.

 

[Kwality]

Interesting story on Foxtel:

Mediaweek Roundup: Foxtel takeover bid, The Block, News Corp + more

US cable television industry veteran Leo Hindery approached Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and telecoms giant Telstra with a $US2 billion offer for Foxtel

www.mediaweek.com.au

US cable television industry veteran Leo Hindery approached Rupert Murdoch‘s News Corp and telecoms giant Telstra with a $US2 billion offer for Foxtel in an unsuccessful attempt to take control of the pay TV operator, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Zoe Samios.

The American businessman, who runs New-York media private equity fund InterMedia Partners, is behind the “blank cheque” company that bid to buy a portion of Foxtel and wipe its debt earlier this year.

Industry sources briefed on the talks who could not speak publicly for confidentiality reasons said the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Trine Acquisition Corp, was on the hunt for an Australian media investment. It also briefly considered approaches for Kerry Stokes‘ Seven West Media and Nine Entertainment Co. However, Foxtel was the only one to receive an offer.

 

[Atomboy]

Thats the current policy?
Maybe we could get real over what an away game is & have all teams travel equally, nah, too radical.

Do you mean two Vic clubs should travel over to WA to play matches to even up the travel ?.

I am lost at the point you are making.

 

[Kwality]

Do you mean two Vic clubs should travel over to WA to play matches to even up the travel ?.

I am lost at the point you are making.

No, they simply wouldnt pull a crowd. I'm suggesting travel is more evenly shared. Not evenly, just a little more even.

A more even number share of travel/home games* more games in home States for non Vic clubs. The Melbourne clubs can get up to 17/18* in Vic, whereas each non Vic get 12 (11+1).

* depending on the FIXture, some clubs travel, others dont.

Sure there are financial issues just as there are now particularly for some Victorian clubs who get FIXtured against lower drawing Melbourne clubs **, but that can addressed more transparently by a shared form of the games takings. It is not a de facto bonanza for interstate clubs as say the 17 or 18 game memberships compared to the non Vic currently limited to 11.

** currently financially adjusted by AFL special distributions.

 

[Atomboy]

No, they simply wouldnt pull a crowd. I'm suggesting travel is more evenly shared. Not evenly, just a little more even.

A more even number share of travel/home games* more games in home States for non Vic clubs. The Melbourne clubs can get up to 17/18* in Vic, whereas each non Vic get 12 (11+1).

* depending on the FIXture, some clubs travel, others dont.

Sure there are financial issues just as there are now particularly for some Victorian clubs who get FIXtured against lower drawing Melbourne clubs **, but that can addressed more transparently by a shared form of the games takings. It is not a de facto bonanza for interstate clubs as say the 17 or 18 game memberships compared to the non Vic currently limited to 11.

** currently financially adjusted by AFL special distributions.

I think it just comes back to what a farce having a 23 round season is. It is such a massive distortion.

Play an 18 round season and spread it over 22 weeks and every club plays each other once. Home games one year and away game the next.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[magic_johnson!]

The AFL has extended its broadcast agreement with Foxtel and Telstra for two years, to the end of the 2024 season.

"This agreement along with the earlier announcement of the Seven Network extension [will be worth $946 million over the next two years,"
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.

AFL extends Foxtel and Telstra broadcast deal by two years

The extension, including the recent Seven Network agreement, will be worth $946 million, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.

www.theage.com.au

 

[The_Wookie]

AFL extends broadcast rights deal with Foxtel, Telstra
The AFL has reached a new agreement with long-time broadcast partners Foxtel and Telstra until the end of 2024
Just now

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan. Picture: AFL Photos
THE AFL has announced it has reached a new agreement with broadcast partners Foxtel and Telstra which will see both extend their coverage rights by two years across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The deal, signed and completed today, will result in a massive boost for sports fans and event-goers at Marvel Stadium with Telstra and the AFL coming together in a partnership that will ambitiously see the venue become one of the world's most technologically connected and innovative sports and entertainment venues, along with a testing bed for Telstra 5G innovation.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the new extended broadcast deal, along with the Seven Network's extension for the 2023-2024 seasons announced earlier this year, would deliver $946 million to the AFL industry over the two years.

He said the extended partnership with Foxtel and Telstra was a huge vote of confidence in the ongoing strength of the game and its future.
"After a challenging year, this is a great way to finish off 2020 and is a massive vote of confidence in the AFL, our players and our code at all levels. It provides greater financial certainty in the years ahead, ensures our fans continue to have the ability to watch men's and women's footy wherever they are." Mr McLachlan said.

"We have made a commitment to make Marvel Stadium one of the best sports and entertainment destinations in the world and our partnership with Telstra only enhances our ability to deliver this by providing fans a digitally-connected and technologically innovative fan-friendly experience.
"This extension with Foxtel and Telstra, along with the extension we signed with the Seven Network earlier this year, ensures that we are able to not only re-build our game but take it to more and more people.

"Every business, every sport, every community has felt the fallout of this global Covid-19 pandemic and our partnerships announced today help provide us with the security and confidence to continue to diligently and strategically re-build the football community.
"I want to thank Foxtel and Telstra for their support of our game and for backing us, just like the Seven Network did who extended earlier this year. I thank them all for their support and for backing us in for an extension in what has been a challenging year.

"We have the best game in the world and we continue to attract and retain the best partners in world sports.
"Fox, Telstra and Channel Seven's long-term partnerships exposes our game to the biggest audience in the country and brings footy fans the very best content -on demand -wherever and whenever they need via television, streaming and digital."

Under the extended agreement:

• Foxtel will extend its coverage of AFL to cover the 2023 and 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership seasons and the NAB AFLW seasons with all games during the home and away season shown live.
• Foxtel will continue to broadcast all Premiership Season matches live on subscription television and digital platforms (Kayo, Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now) in 2023-24, as well as having replay and highlight rights.
• Telstra continues its partnership through the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with highlight, replay and on demand rights while increasing their investment in sponsorship assets.
• Telstra will become Marvel Stadium's official technology and innovation partner over the next four years, ensuring the revamped Marvel Stadium offers supporters the best digital experience of any stadium or entertainment venue in the country and ensuring supporters have the technology to connect them to the game they love.
• Telstra technology and connectivity will be deployed at Marvel over the next few years including fixed and 4G/5G networks upgrades, Artificial Intelligence, and mixed reality and edge computing. From booking a seat to parking to engaging with the game, attendees will soon be able to experience a new stadium experience before, during, and after they attend the game.
• Telstra will also expand its visual sponsorship elements such as on-field Telstra 5G signage, and continue the development of the AFL's digital assets such as AFL.com, club websites and the AFL Official LIVE App. The updated sponsorship also deepens Telstra's connections to AFL Clubs and extends the agreement with the AFL Players Association that engages all listed players as ambassadors for use in social marketing campaigns and other initiatives.

Mr McLachlan said the extension was a good outcome for football and also for football supporters – particularly fans attending Marvel Stadium which would hit new heights for a digital sporting experience attending AFL and AFLW games. Fans of all sports and entertainment events at the stadium would benefit.
He thanked Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and Telstra CEO Andy Penn for their ongoing support of the game and also thanked AFL supporters who had stayed with the game during 2020, with gross TV audiences of 77 million watching the 2020 home and away season – a 15 per cent increase on 2019 but it included a staggering 32 per cent increase in Brisbane audience and 20 per cent across Queensland.

"This is a great result for our game. Both Foxtel and Telstra have been long-term partners of the AFL along with the Seven Network and we are fortunate that all our broadcast partners love our game as much as our supporters and are constantly working to improve the viewer experience and to expand our game to new audiences.

"They have stood with us in challenging times and continue to stand with us and we are excited by the experience we can provide our supporters on TV, on devices and in stadium – we will continue to innovate and lead.

 

[Our Game]

looks like as good as the AFL could have hoped for.According to the Hun report Gill is now pushing for a night GF as well!

 

[Gigantor]

Previous 6 year deal was $418 mill per annum for the lot, whereas this is $473 mill for each of the two extended years, for just the Fox/Telstra component.
Seems a pretty good deal (in context of a variety of current day concerns).
Is that effectively pushing the value of the total broadcast money to $600+ mill for those final two years?

ps sorry, just re-read it, so already includes the Seven money