Comments on: Sydney and Brisbane viewers still on the outer

By: Bruce Walkley

Bruce Walkley — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:23:37 +0000

Westy, Sydney and Brisbane viewers can watch Friday night games live, if they have Foxtel - 7 gets Main Event (Ch 518) to run them. My beef in part was that after this arrangement had been going all year it suddenly wasn’t happening for the finals. Main Event said they weren’t asked (i.e., allowed) by either the AFL or 7 to show the finals games.

By: The Link

The Link — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:54:53 +0000

153,000 still seems awfully low for the top show on Pay for the 5 capitals.

Agree AFL viewership has grown on Pay, however it is not the top 4-5 and League remains the dominant player (not sure of current rates of geographic ‘penetration’ which is often quoted in defence of AFL)

There are 4-5 live games of League on Pay, depending on the weekend.

By: Redb

Redb — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:46:25 +0000

The Link,

i got my mine from TVTonight (David Knox) formerly of SMH. It is a five captials summary which may explain the variance as regionals are possibly added into ASTRAS and league is stronger with regionals.

Nonetheless , 4 of the top 10 are AFL games, this was not the case even last year. It is apparent that the number of live AFL games is increasing its Foxtel audience. There are now 4 live games on Foxtel they are usually the interstate clashes or weaker games thus not the big melb v melb games, but showing enormous improvement to previous ratings.

How many games are shown live for NRL each week?

Dave,

Fox Sports 3 - 43,000. sorry to get you excited.

Redb

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:44:30 +0000

Keeping Up Appearances and Family Guy appear to rate well

By: The Link

The Link — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:29:04 +0000

This is the same week from the ASTRA website

MEDIA RELEASE- 18 August 2008
National STV Program List: All People - w/c 10 Aug 2008
Reach
(000s)
1 LIVE: NRL TITANS V KNIGHTS Fox Sports 2 Mon 19:01 224 224 1,212 563
2 LIVE: NRL WARRIORS V SHARKS Fox Sports 2 Sat 17:30 208 208 992 545
3 LIVE & ACTIVE: AFL WEST COAST V ESSENDON Fox Sports 1 Sun 16:30 200 200 1,075 640
4 LIVE: NRL RAIDERS V PANTHERS Fox Sports 2 Sun 14:00 192 192 1,084 475
5 LIVE: NRL PANTHERS V BULLDOGS Fox Sports 2 Sat 19:30 182 182 1,238 514
6 PROJECT RUNWAY AUSTRALIA Arena Mon 20:30 182 191 1,188 521
7 LIVE: AFL NORTH MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGFSox Sports 1 Sun 13:01 158 158 990 517
8 LIVE: AFL BRISBANE LIONS V W BULLDOGS Fox Sports 1 Sat 19:00 155 155 1,183 623
9 FAMILY GUY FOX8 Tue 18:12 137 157 773 1,853
10 LIVE: AFL ESSENDON V ADELAIDE Fox Sports 1 Sat 14:00 128 128 893 438

http://www.astra.org.au/content/pdf/MediaReleases/ASTRA-Ratings-for-Week-080810.pdf

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:27:08 +0000

Redb

“19 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE SYD V MELB FOX Sports 343,000″
Surely this game should have been top of the list Always knew it was a blockbuster fixture.

By: Redb

Redb — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:11:54 +0000

the Link,

not anymore.

Foxtel Ratings
Week 33, 2008 (10/08/2008 - 16/08/2008)
Round to Nearest Thousand

TV Item Description (grouped) Channel
1 LIVE & ACTIVE: AFL WEST COAST V ESSENDON FOX Sports 1- 153,000
2 LIVE: AFL NORTH MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS FOX Sports 1- 126,000
3 LIVE: AFL BRISBANE LIONS V W BULLDOGS FOX Sports 1- 120,000
4 LIVE: NRL WARRIORS V SHARKS FOX Sports 2 - 107,000
5 LIVE: AFL ESSENDON V ADELAIDE FOX Sports 1- 106,000
6 LIVE: NRL TITANS V KNIGHTS FOX Sports 2 - 103,000
7 LIVE: NRL PANTHERS V BULLDOGS FOX Sports 2 - 96,000
8 LIVE: NRL RAIDERS V PANTHERS FOX Sports 2 - 95,000
9 LIVE: AFL: ON THE COUCH FOX Sports 1 - 64,000
10 LIVE: RUGBY UNION: TRI NATIONS FOX Sports 1 - 58,000
11 KEEPING UP APPEARANCES UKTV - 54,000
12 MURDER AT 1600 Movie Extra -53,000
13 LIVE: AFL TEAMS FOX Sports 1 - 48,000
14 LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE UKTV - 48,000
15 NRL COWBOYS V TITANS FOX Sports 2 -47,000
16 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY UKTV 46,000
17 NEW TRICKS UKTV 45,000
18 THE COMMANDER UKTV 44,000
19 LIVE: FOOTBALL: A-LEAGUE SYD V MELB FOX Sports 343,000
20 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? UKTV 42,000
21 NUMB3RS TV1 41,000
22 NCIS TV1 40,000
23 LIVE: NRL SATURDAY PRE GAME SHOW FOX Sports 239,000
24 LIVE: AFL PRE GAME SHOW FOX Sports 139,000
25 WWE SMACKDOWN! FOX8 38,000
26 WWE RAW FOX8 37,000
27 LIVE: FOOTBALL: EPL ARSENAL V WEST BROM FOX Sports 3 35,000
28 PROJECT RUNWAY AUSTRALIA Arena 34,000
29 FANTASTIC FOUR Showtime 33,000
30 PHAR LAP FOX Classics 33,000

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:55:23 +0000

In terms of only one bidder Fox Sports, l would disagree…based on what happened o/s in Europe and the US (bigger markets but similar clientelle). In the UK the FTA networks developed extra digital channels and bid against Sky for the rights to show on those channels then Setanta came along and is now bidding vs Sky. The tv rights are still going up. In the US cable network ESPN has outbid networks for sections of NFL and no doubt in the future Setanta or some one else will start competing for bids. Just because it is PayTV shouldn’t restrict the number of bidders in this day and age. Wouldn’t be suprised if at some stage Setanta puts in a bid for AFL in Oz. They have now put on an extra channel Setanta 2 so will continue to look for more product.

By: The Link

The Link — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:52:19 +0000

‘Foxtel is now seeing the AFL fill out the top 4-5 out of ten programs each week this year.’

This is incorrect. Replace NRL for AFL in your sentence and you are closer to the mark.

Check out the ASTRA site.

By: Redb

Redb — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:43:31 +0000

Dave,

I enjoyed the Brownlow telecast last night I thought it was one of the better counts and quite exciting towards the last few rounds. Overall good job by Ch 10.

I loved Foxfooty, I think it was before its time to be honest. Foxtel is now seeing the AFL fill out the top 4-5 out of ten programs each week this year. No doubt there is little invcentive to resurrect Fox Footy as Fox would be pretty happy with that result.

KB,

Yeah had to laugh, a burger ring for an engagement ring

Offsiders panel would no doubt agree then that 100K for the Swans in Sydney is not a bad result.

Redb

By: Michael C

Michael C — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:32:55 +0000

DAve -

the silly thing is that it only ever started as someone reading out numbers - and the captains once upon a time updating the ‘team boards’………….along the way it’s been hijacked to include all this red carpet stuff (and now the Dally M is following suit - so to speak), and it’s such a long session of vote reading that they still feel compelled to insert these other things (last night, some nice recognition of volunteers and an over the top tribute to Robert Harvey - - when really, we just wanted a winner and to go to bed).

Maybe I’m old school - - but, for me, the best thing is a decent round by round reminder of the MATCHES (not who hit who, or who scratched themeselves………..the simple fact that again Ch.10 found an excuse to show B.Hall whacking B.Staker………..just pathetic really). SO, Ch.10 stuffed that up. It’ll only get worse with 18 teams, an extra game a week and potentially and extra 2 rounds……………LOL……….(that’s the first time I’ve used that one!).

re. solo channels - - - I’ve always wondered about that - - fair enough in the smaller Australian market, it’s hard to concieve a footy admin suddenly diversifying into tv production………..and with the definite ‘off season’ of footy it’d be hard to sustain………(although for me, the old FoxFooty was great, especially with the old games from the ‘vaults’). 24/7/52 - that’s more the domain of the world game.

I reckon for this period of playing off a small number of FTA vs and beside Fox is the best way to pump up the bids……..if it was only fox - then that reduces the market value - - as can be seen with the NRL where Fox dominates and Ch.9 really only pushes a safe ‘foot print’ and the market value is sluggish.

By: Koala Bear

Koala Bear — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:28:43 +0000

Eddie couldn’t get out of Sydney quickly enough.

MC & Redb,
And Sydney couldn’t get rid of him quick enough…. Roy Masters and the OFFSIDERS panel were in total agreement with the Melb 9 Network with the treatment of the Storms Fans … At least some Marn Grook Melburnians in Television can see through the hypocrisy …

I didn’t realise that Brownlow medalists were so poorly paid — or so mean — a Burger Ring that represents an engagement ring ? That must have been a blow to the young lassie ..

~~~~~~~~
KB

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:06:10 +0000

I only saw snippets but it seems they need to fill time as lets face it someone reading out numbers aint great TV until the last round or two when it becomes interesting. Wonder if AFL would consider their own pay tv channel again? Why did the AFL channel go last time? Least they would have more control over whats aired. If AFL was on pay tv only with perhaps a highlights show on fta plus the usual footy shows eg ch 9, could they get more revenue? They would receive the advertising dollar instead of the tv network. It happened in the UK when SkySports bought the rights to EPL. ALL of a sudden there was no EPL on FTA and so many people subscribed to Sky. The AFL would certainly be able to cover all areas in Oz live with their games and not be restricted by the different states/zones.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:26:24 +0000

KB -
the only time Eddie McGuire had any real pull at Ch.9 was when he got installed in Sydney - - as ‘boss’, and yet he found that he was dictated to via the parent company and that James Packer wasn’t a shadow of his old man. Eddie couldn’t get out of Sydney quickly enough.

You certainly can’t blame Eddie for Ch.9 vs NRL vs Foxtel politics. Well………….you’re trying, and Roy Masters is very trying too.

Dave -

btw - - watching the Brownlow last night………..and yet again one get’s really ppppp’d off with all the ‘production’ rubbish……………the TV networks have a lot to answer for……………

By: Redb

Redb — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:45:09 +0000

KB,

Eddie McGuire works for Ch 9 yes that is all you can assume.

Roy Master’s comments show is unabashed bias, he said it would be Ok for the Storm to draw 100K against 1 million for the AFL in Melbourne. Therefore he is a massive hypocrite to suggest the Swans ratings of 100K in Sydney against an NRL game is a failure.

99% of what Masters says is a double standard, he is playing to his RL audience.

Redb

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:07:07 +0000

Pippinu - oh my god, all of a sudden you’ve made AFL make sense to me

By: Koala Bear

Koala Bear — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:51:03 +0000

Redb,
Eddie McGuire works for the Nine Network.. Yes or No..?

Roy Masters said after watching the clip … 100k watching it live on TV is better than 10 at a midnight on a delayed telecast …

The panel headed by Barry Cassidy, Gideon Haig, Gerard Whately, and Roy Master in unison agreed that if Nine had no intention of telecasting the game live it should have been handed over to FOXTEL… A big cheer for the OFFSIDERS PANEL

Meanwhile we had the Hawthorn and St Kilda match live at 8:30 pm head to head with the League in Queensland … Guess who won….?

~~~~~~~~
KB

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:55:44 +0000

Millster
if we are to have such a test, then it’s about as good a question as the others I have heard!

Or something along the following lines (recalling that the questions are just as hard for an Australian to answer as anyone else):

Name the game played in much of Australia where you can go anywhere on quite a big field, where you score full points by kicking a sausage roll through the high diddle diddle and where one brings the multitudes to their feet by soaring towards the heavens to get your hands on the pigskin.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:35:34 +0000

Redb

Less for Syd and Bris compared to core states is what l meant. Trying not to be negative towards AFL Redb…working hard here you need to cut some slack
ESPN in the states is another example of what happens when more players come onto the scene. Some small outlay for the subscribers in the non core states but they get everything AFL whether it be through internet, pay per view or just pay tv.
BTW Just got Setanta for a trial, fortunately on holidays. No AFL ahhhh heaven

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:23:32 +0000

RedB - I agree, maybe not less. But maybe negotiations divided between states and between platforms (FTA, HD, pay, web) with some on a royalty basis (eg. AFL gets 30% of pay-per-view subscriptions or suchlike) rather than fixed in one mega-deal up front. So I’m not saying less or more. I’m just saying a vastly different business model.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:23:15 +0000

Millster -

that citizenship test applies in Nauru and on the Tiwi Islands only…………oh………….and is supposed to apply to anyone christened Royce post about 1967……

By: Redb

Redb — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:20:43 +0000

Your a stirrer Pip.

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:20:12 +0000

Pippinu - they should have put it in the citizenship test perhaps… a question like “which AFL star will you be naming your first-born after?”

By: Redb

Redb — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:18:53 +0000

Dave, Millster,

I dont think you can assume less money. It you look at Sydney and Brisbane, both teams are in decline and coming off historical flags. Both cities could have two teams by 2012.

I wouldnt assume it will be less money.

Redb

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:17:33 +0000

are you suggesting that the case has any basis in the truth?

Millster - it’s the game that made Australia isn’t it?

By: Redb

Redb — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:16:26 +0000

no, Eddie McGuire rarely appears on the Footy show.

no, Roy Masters also said the 100,000 to 1 million comment on the Offsiders, I havent watched it again, but heres the link.

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/offsiders/

Redb

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:14:59 +0000

… yes, keep going Dave… less money now but still an interesting strategic position for the code. Because through web and cable means, even as a small niche player, all of a sudden we see codes like AFL and NRL have the potential for a global audience. So the ‘reality check’ they get in their non-core states is offset by their entering the broadcast platform of the globalised future.

Now all of a sudden we’re having an interesting forward-looking discussion, not the biased parochial crap that this article was founded in.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:00:46 +0000

Millister

Setanta sports is an example of what you are talking about. A small player some years back broadcasting Gaelic sports and some football into pubs around the world now they have grown to become a major player bidding for EPL rights etc. Their rights are broken into many more smaller components with a highest bidder just winning that component they are after. The AFL may need to go as the EPL is heading in the UK. Ch 9 may well bid for AFL but only the rights to show games in Melb and other core AFL states. The rights for AFL in Syd and Bris may go to a pay TV operator or internet or pay per view or all of the above but for less money.

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:58:44 +0000

RedB - great minds think alike on digital media etc

On your comment that AFL in Melbourne is like SoO week in QLD every week, yes I totally understand that. One only has to travel there and TRY to do business on a Monday after a big AFL weekend (something I gave up long ago!) to realise.

But this argument is not about core markets. It’s about non-core markets.

So a more relevant thing to say would be “AFL in Sydney is like NRL SoO week in Melbourne every week”.

By: Millster

Millster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:53:27 +0000

Pippinu - are you suggesting that the case has any basis in the truth?