Your ideal footy program?

[76woodenspooners]

Knightmare and I were discussing footy programs in another thread.

We both agreed that AFL footy media is pretty crap.

So it got me thinking, what would be the ideal footy program? The new broadcast deal is coming up, so that gives it a bit of extra context.

So if you could design your own footy program, what would it look like?

I'll kick it off ...

(1) Host it on the Internet - so much more flexibility. Maybe have a TV version.

(2) Be partisan. I don't mean that it has to be Collingwood centric. I'm a Collingwood supporter, I know who Scott Pendlebury is, tell me a bit about the opposition, who to look out for, how they play.

(3) Again, shits me to tears that the footy programs focus on the star players, the Pendlebury v Hodge stuff Week after week.

(4) When calling the game, give me the option to listen to my audio feed of choice. Including a partisan one.

(5) Give me a choice of video feeds. Let me watch them simultaneously. In Europe they've had multi-view for formula 1 for around 20 years. Watching footy on the TV is so limiting - you only ever see what's happening within 20m of the ball. I want to be able to appreciate the strategic game. Heck, just mount a 4K video camera (4K is a crazy high definition video standard) above Buck's head and stream that to me.

(6) I like the Piero analysis that we've started to see a bit of lately. I've been screaming out for it for years, give me more of it!

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Give me the choice of muting commentators so that I only hear the crowd noise....or at least let me mute certain commentators

I like the idea of being able to select which Camera coverage I want to see (I like down the ground coverage)

Quarter time and Half time summaries do my head in

 

[Smoky]

Press Red for Ed... in HD

 

[DrDavoren]

Give me the choice of muting commentators so that I only hear the crowd noise....or at least let me mute certain commentators

I like the idea of being able to select which Camera coverage I want to see (I like down the ground coverage)

Quarter time and Half time summaries do my head in

Summed up my wishlist perfectly, I would like crowd noise and maybe split screen of say a wing shot from third level and then std shot following the play.

Maybe a mike link to the coaches box would offer valuable insight but not likely to happen would settle for a mike on the umps to be slightly louder than the crowd noise.

Things need a shakeup as if the games not a belter can be very meh

 

[Bard]

Knightmare and I were discussing footy programs in another thread.

We both agreed that AFL footy media is pretty crap.

So it got me thinking, what would be the ideal footy program? The new broadcast deal is coming up, so that gives it a bit of extra context.

So if you could design your own footy program, what would it look like?

I'll kick it off ...

(1) Host it on the Internet - so much more flexibility. Maybe have a TV version.

(2) Be partisan. I don't mean that it has to be Collingwood centric. I'm a Collingwood supporter, I know who Scott Pendlebury is, tell me a bit about the opposition, who to look out for, how they play.

(3) Again, shits me to tears that the footy programs focus on the star players, the Pendlebury v Hodge stuff Week after week.

(4) When calling the game, give me the option to listen to my audio feed of choice. Including a partisan one.

(5) Give me a choice of video feeds. Let me watch them simultaneously. In Europe they've had multi-view for formula 1 for around 20 years. Watching footy on the TV is so limiting - you only ever see what's happening within 20m of the ball. I want to be able to appreciate the strategic game. Heck, just mount a 4K video camera (4K is a crazy high definition video standard) above Buck's head and stream that to me.

(6) I like the Piero analysis that we've started to see a bit of lately. I've been screaming out for it for years, give me more of it!

You want to try and stream from a Red Epic? D: Hope your net is God tier!

 

[PieMan!]

I would love to have press red for ed every game !

 

[PepperFace]

Stop channel 7 showing closeups of the play when the ball is moving (ie when players are running and spreading from the backline)......I get sea sick watching their footage. Just give the standard grandstand camera during general play. Only show those closeups on a replay or if a player takes a mark and is going back to line up for goal.

 

[doodles98]

needs more boobs

 

[FireKrakouer]

Press red for Ed and choice of camera angles would be amazing. Why oh why do they need to zoom in so close on the ball all the time?

 

[Maggie5]

When games starts, give me the match-ups. We know that teams do not line up as the team sheet is released.
At breaks, more stats, and I quite like what Lloyd does on the Sunday show re game play.
Less history lessons, who cares about in 19... when these teams met. Fair enough last time but that far back, different players, rules etc.
Don't assume that we can't see what is happening.

 

[spartan-magpie]

I'd like the replays to show the contentious free kicks more often... Feels like whenever a bad free is paid against they don't like showing the umpires mistakes. Especially when it's us.

Is also like them to show the biffo that occasionally goes on. A bit of argy Barry is nice to see.


But most importantly, if like to see guys like mcavaney, Carey and the like stop calling pies games. Their commentary is so biased and negative towards us it is a joke. And the wankfest that goes on when we are losing or a side builds momentum against us is a blight on the game.

Oh, and since its 2015 I'd like to see every game in HD!!

 

[Ant85]

Channel 7 need to move on from being an amateur sports broadcaster to a professional sports broadcaster.

So many times I've heard from people who don't really have an interest in footy that it's boring to watch on TV. How can we expect to convince non-AFL supporters if we allow networks to dish up crap?

Channel 7 make it boring - boring, annoying commentators; killed atmosphere with low crowd volume; and poor camera work.

A lot happens on a footy field at the one time, and yet there is only one view option despite there being multiple cameras in place recording from different angles. It's not soccer, which is 1/3 our field and moves at snail pace. Multi-view is essential for our sport.

I don't mind Foxtel's half-time analysis, so long it's by guys with credible opinions (not Matt Maclure).

 

[Ricky90]

Definitely more commentary options (and a none at all option) and definitely more viewing angles. I like seeing what's 100m ahead of the play. Having said that, if they make it too cushy, I might be content to not get on a plane and see a game once or twice a year.

I'd love special comments from opposition coaches too. Not necessarily head coaches but even line coaches would be nice. If they could tee up more of that, it'd be perfect.

 

[Pie eyed]

needs more boobs

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare and I were discussing footy programs in another thread.

We both agreed that AFL footy media is pretty crap.

So it got me thinking, what would be the ideal footy program? The new broadcast deal is coming up, so that gives it a bit of extra context.

So if you could design your own footy program, what would it look like?

I'll kick it off ...

(1) Host it on the Internet - so much more flexibility. Maybe have a TV version.

(2) Be partisan. I don't mean that it has to be Collingwood centric. I'm a Collingwood supporter, I know who Scott Pendlebury is, tell me a bit about the opposition, who to look out for, how they play.

(3) Again, shits me to tears that the footy programs focus on the star players, the Pendlebury v Hodge stuff Week after week.

(4) When calling the game, give me the option to listen to my audio feed of choice. Including a partisan one.

(5) Give me a choice of video feeds. Let me watch them simultaneously. In Europe they've had multi-view for formula 1 for around 20 years. Watching footy on the TV is so limiting - you only ever see what's happening within 20m of the ball. I want to be able to appreciate the strategic game. Heck, just mount a 4K video camera (4K is a crazy high definition video standard) above Buck's head and stream that to me.

(6) I like the Piero analysis that we've started to see a bit of lately. I've been screaming out for it for years, give me more of it!

Internet programs I generally see as a starting point. A good way to get known, get a small following and get a start - a bit like the dreamteam talk boys who have found their way onto AFL.com.au after gaining a strong following over the years. But I don't personally view it as serious until it's on free to air tv on one of the major channels and out there nationally for everyone to watch. That way it's on weekly during the season for people to watch, and you'll get people uploading various segments to YouTube if they enjoy it.
But admittedly to get this type of idea off the ground. It's where you'd need to start.

In terms of content. I agree it has to be neutral. Objective. Cover all teams. Issues such as ASADA/drinking/drugs etc. It's not football. And I'd like something that sticks to football related topics. Drafting and trading ideas could be covered - though not necessarily needing to be the focus until after the season or late season. Certain observations from particular games. Predictions of what will happen over coming games. I'd love to see all time debates come up - greatest player of all time, greatest midfielder/key forward etc, and talking about where current players may fit in the big picture all time. Get some opinion and debate around those types of topics going and you could have a show. Grading a player/team's performance after a game if they're a particularly topical/name player.

As some examples of those who do it well. And if you want to go down the internet route these are terrific examples:
ESPN First Take and the debate format they have is perfect and that's what I'd most love to see as an AFL show. And it can work in a two way video format where you don't both have to be in the same studio or same room together. It's something that hasn't really been done before (well anyway). And if you get the right people and the right topics being spoken about. And the people with the knowledge. That would be what would make the show.
TrueHoopTV is another that does this terrifically well and is more of an interview/interviewee format. But again it's two people with webcams, one on each side. And usually 5min segments on a particular topic.

I recommend hoping on youtube for some examples of how these two programs: ESPN First Take and TrueHoopTV are constructed and watch through a few segments of each to get a feel. For the kind of idea you're thinking about. Those general formats would be ideal.

And it's really the types of topics from ESPN First Take particularly. I love the way they go about it and the things they bring up. For entertainment and interesting topics, those guys in my view do it best. They have their own agenda's and they're not even necessarily the premier basketball minds. But they still do their research and put forward their opinions on their various topics.

 

[Black_White]

Press red for Ed and choice of camera angles would be amazing. Why oh why do they need to zoom in so close on the ball all the time?

Because they have failed to realise that 80% of households have TVs over 40 inches in size.
A lot over 55 inches.
They view their broadcast on 12 inch monitors in a small van. And in SD!
No wonder they need to zoom in close

 

[Hagla]

The Footy Show with Ed running the show, a younger and funnier Sam Newman with a touch of Trev Marmalade cracking jokes at a half naked and sozzled Billy Brownless. Add Bucks in as a regular guest for Ed to drool over and you've got yourself the perfect footy show.

 

[Rohan25]

They had the choice of camera angles and audio options on the old Fox Footy channel. Not sure why they don't have it now.

 

[mattys123]

Channel 7 losing the TV rights would be a start.

And I wouldn't even care if Fox Footy lost it too, their in game coverage is no better then 7s really.

We have to get to the point where we have HD coverage for every single game (for free too, or as part of the normal Foxtel package).

I've been screaming out for different commentary options for years too, yet all we get is the odd press red for Ed each season.

I don't expect much to change any time soon, we are already 20-25 years behind what US and European broadcasters are doing.

 

[PepperFace]

ABC (before their budget cuts) were showing wnbl and w-league live and in HD yet we have to put up with channel 7 putting games on in SD. Use your ****ing HD channel (7mate) and get some HD cameras to replace your outdates SD cameras

 

[SpongePie]

Take what the NFL do for their online service. And give me that. Thanks!

 

[Smokeyr67]

needs more boobs

Would Billy Brownless's boobs do?

 

[76woodenspooners]

Internet programs I generally see as a starting point. A good way to get known, get a small following and get a start - a bit like the dreamteam talk boys who have found their way onto AFL.com.au after gaining a strong following over the years. But I don't personally view it as serious until it's on free to air tv on one of the major channels and out there nationally for everyone to watch. That way it's on weekly during the season for people to watch, and you'll get people uploading various segments to YouTube if they enjoy it.
But admittedly to get this type of idea off the ground. It's where you'd need to start.

What you have described is the conventional way of things ...

... But it doesn't have to be that way, and I think at some stage in the future it will change.

Internet deployment can offer something free-to-air TV can't - and that's interaction. TV is one way. The Internet is interactive. The best TV can do is "monitor the tweets"

The Internet simply has the ability to deliver a superior product. Think about what people do at the game: they choose where they sit, they choose where they look, they chat to strangers, they engage in cheering. It is technically possible with the Internet to create an experience where people can do all that from the comfort of their lounge room. Can't be done with TV. Although at some stage in the future TV will be the Internet.

 

[Knightmare]

What you have described is the conventional way of things ...

... But it doesn't have to be that way, and I think at some stage in the future it will change.

Internet deployment can offer something free-to-air TV can't - and that's interaction. TV is one way. The Internet is interactive. The best TV can do is "monitor the tweets"

The Internet simply has the ability to delivery a superior product. Think about what people do at the game: they choose where they sit, they choose where they look, they chat to strangers, they engage in cheering. It is technically possible with the Internet to create an experience where people can do all that from the comfort of their lounge room. Can't be done with TV. Although at some stage in the future TV will be the Internet.

I'm more of a traditionalist and not with you on fan engagement. For a sporting entertainment show I want the best discussion/debate. Not to have to put up with fans, particularly uneducated fans.

Sure a show can have say a Facebook page. And you can get some ideas for topics off there based on comments surrounding what they enjoy/don't enjoy listening to, and what they'd like to hear more on. But that's where I'd draw the line with fan engagement.

Not to say this is the way to go in today's social media era. Your approach would be more suitable for today's audience where fans are more actively involved. And you'd have your fan segments.

Just for me personally as a viewer if I'm talking from the perspective of what I'd personally enjoy. I'd switch off with too much of that and much prefer genuine experts and the most entertaining people to go at it.

And in your projections of the tv and internet. I believe the tv to pretty much already be internet, with all programs on the internet anyway, and this generation choosing not to watch programs on tv due to the quantity of ads and people today knowing they don't need to put up with that.

 

[76woodenspooners]

I'm more of a traditionalist and not with you on fan engagement. For a sporting entertainment show I want the best discussion/debate. Not to have to put up with fans, particularly uneducated fans.

There is no such thing as an uneducated fan.

Every fan has an opinion that is relevant and valid.

A few examples ...

(1) A six year old girl is asked: "Who is your favourite player?" She answers "Jamie Elliott because he jumps really high". Her opinion is interesting .... Elliott sells more junior size jumpers than every other player. That girl (and the kids her age) are going to be the members of the future. They are important. To understand how important that girl's opinion is ... Look at the Melbourne Football Club. They're crap, and have been for a long long time. What is the root cause of their crappiness? Poor coaches? Bad fitness? Poor gameplan? Shitty recruiting? All of the above may be true, but they're not the root cause. Some have suggested the root cause occurred back in 1964 when a generation of Melbourne supporting kids with the number 31 on their jumpers had their hearts broken when Barassi went to Carlton. These things can have long term consequences.

(2) Would you classify Damien Barrett as educated? Is his opinion valid? He takes himself a bit seriously, doesn't he? Imagine Damien Barrett being president of a footy club? Absurd, isn't it? That's kinda what Eddie was like when he took over Collingwood. Eddie's success since then has been remarkable. Who'd have predicted it? Pretty much every serious decision that is made at Collingwood today - our senior coach, our recruiting dept, our strategic objectives as a club - can be traced back to that fateful day back in 1999 when a 32 year old Channel 10 sports reporter became President of the Collingwood Football Club, and ultimately has become one of the most powerful men in the game.

Footy is not a game of chess played between two blokes in a coffee shop. It's passion. It's pride. It's a clash of ideals. It's people's dreams and anguishes. Every footy fan's opinion is valid. Perception is reality, every footy fan who can recognise their team's footy jumper and at least one or two players is educated.