Jimmy Bartel of Geelong marks ahead of Adam Schneider of St Kilda. Slattery Images
The AFL says it has no issue with the Seven Network ditching one of the game’s best advertisements in favour of old comedy re-runs in the two cities the league wants to crack.
St Kilda’s six-point win over Geelong last Sunday has already been cast as a modern-day classic, was played at a fierce tempo before a record crowd of 54,444 at Etihad Stadium and might be the precursor to this year’s grand final.
Seven’s decision to televise the game live into Melbourne paid off handsomely, as it attracted 626,000 viewers in the city.
But in Sydney and Brisbane, the markets the AFL has turned its focus to and plans to expand into over the next three years, the game was not televised by Seven until 11.45pm (AEST).
When it was screened, the game attracted paltry audiences of 19,000 in Sydney and 13,000 in Brisbane.
The programs Seven screened instead of showing the game live in Sydney were dated comedies Ripping Yarns, Mother and Son, and What a Carry On, alongside a travelogue program in Brisbane.
Seven screened the game between the Swans and North Melbourne live into both Sydney and Brisbane, and that attracted audiences of 87,000 and 41,000 respectively.
A spokesman for the network said the broadcast schedule had been organised in advance with the AFL, Network Ten and pay TV station Fox Sports under the current broadcast deal.
Critics say screening the Saints-Cats clash live into Sydney and Brisbane could have established more of a foot-hold in those areas, as the AFL plans to have a team from the Gold Coast enter the competition in 2011 and a side from western Sydney enter in 2012.
But an AFL spokesman said the league had no issue with Seven’s decision to delay the game until close to midnight.
“No we don’t,” he said.
“Under the current contract, the game that must be shown live in those markets is the primary side, and in this case that was the Swans-North game.”
He said Brisbane and Sydney viewers could have seen the Saints-Geelong game live had they had pay TV subscriptions.
Mick
Guest
In perth they must have made a late change & showed this game live as when I looked at the tv guide it said late sunday night. I only knew it was on by channel surfing and i only saw about 10 minutes as i had to go out. Channel 7 are hopeless,
Mark Bolton
Guest
I bet the AFL are fuming because they could have scored big time. By the way, who are the spokespersons speaking for The AFL and 7?
MVDave
Guest
Redb Not the whole game but saw some...it was a great game of AFL no doubt. In terms of great sporting contests it had almost all the main ingredients top teams, best players, full house and close finish but no Essendon :)
Ken Guy
Guest
Being a pensioner, a cancer patient and a Foundation member of the Brisbane Lions, I would have loved to see the Geelong-St Kilda game. I don't have the luxury of Foxtel...simple reason, I can't afford it! I was disgusted to read early in the week that Channel 7 not only wouldn't telecast the game live, they didn't even do AFL fans the courtesy of explaining why!! Channel 7 in Brisbane has an entrenched Rugby bias, BOTH codes, a fact that we Brisbane-ites have known for years. I'm certain that had the game been played on Saturday Channel TEN would have picked it up in a flash! The only way the AFL will ever combat the existing bias at 7 Brisbane is to have a clause written into the TV rights contract specifying that games deemed 'blockbusters' as Sunday's game definitely was, MUST be telecast LIVE!! Channel 7 missed a golden opportunity to, not only promo the biggest clash of the season, but to gather a huge audience even among my friends who watch Rugby League as well as AFL.
WA
Guest
If it's not live, it aint sport.
Justin
Guest
Timmy - Not sure what plan you are on but I can assure you I am not on a premium pack and I get FS 1,2,3 for $52 per month. A small charge for those who really want it live would be worth it IMO. Each to their own.... Bruce - I think there will be more live matches in the next rights. I can assure you all the betting agencies would be wanting it also as it means much more dollars into their kick if people can have a bet an watch it live. And after all the AFL are taking substantial money from the TABS and Betfair these days...
Bruce Walkley
Guest
This just shows how seriously we should take the AFL's push into western Sydney. Seven should have at least crossed to the big game at half-time in Sydney after the Swans game finished, and shown the Saints-Cats live in Brisbane, where, as the figures quoted above show, there is precious little interest in the red and white. Timmypig, the one saving grace for people outside Vic, SA, WA and Tassie is that Fox Main Event (Ch 518) screens the Friday night games live into Qld and NSW - and also some other games over the weekend, which did include St K-Gee on Sunday - at no extra cost. As for delayed coverage in Victoria, Justin, I agree entirely. The AFL should bar delayed telecasts in its next rights deal - that's if it gets more than one bidder, which is highly unlikely, as Nine won't be putting in a ridiculous bid to up the price this time.
Redb
Roar Guru
MVDave, Did you watch the game as you are in Melbourne? Redb
Timmypig
Guest
I don't agree Justin ... to get Fox Sports 1/2/3 the subscriber has to sign up for a premium package, that's already plenty of bananas each month. Another $5 (or whatever) per match I suspect just wouldn't cut it. I don't get 6N Rugby because it's no longer on Fox or FTA, only Setanta, and I'm not paying any more - I'm handling over enough as it is.
Justin
Guest
I just wish the was an option for Melbourne people to be able to watch all games live. I cant stand watching delayed matches on Friday night which dont finish til around 11.30pm. I have Foxtel so why cant they make a Friday night match live as a pay per view option? $5 a match would have loads of people subscribing.....
MVDave
Guest
Hey Ripping Yarns is a great show...no shame on AFL by their games being replaced by Rippin Yarns!
Timelessness
Guest
I really don't understand the AFL's insistence on pushing the Swans and Lions down people's throats as part of the ridiculous TV rights deal. The game is bigger than a club and if the clubs don't perform well or play lowly Melbourne sides it really hurts the game's reputation as a whole. The best available match should be showed.