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Central Coast Mariners players (L to R) Tom Pendeljak, Matthew Simon and John Hutchinson sit dejected after loosing 0-1 to the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Grand Final in Sydney on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2008. AAP Image/Paul Miller
I am currently finding myself in a big and dire predicament. I am one of many Australians that deem Pay TV a very pointless investment. Of course, this limits what I can view on my television. But there is one main pitfall. Sports.
As I have previously stated in one of my previous posts, the FFA needs to embrace the youngsters in order to improve the interest in the competition, and to breed new players. A-League on Fox Sports is a major hindrance to progress.
When the major television deal was struck before the first season, the FFA essentially signed a cap on competition interest. It was a stupid and inevitably thwarting move. They need a free-to-air deal struck. And they need it sooner rather than later.
If you still don’t understand why Pay TV is an impediment, just look at statistics. 8 per cent of Australian households have access to Foxtel in their homes (1.63 million), and the other 92 per cent only have free-to-air access. This isn’t just a choice however; it is often the harsh reality. Not all homes can get Foxtel coverage, and some cannot afford this investment. The catchment of the competition would be far larger if it were televised free-to-air.
As I have previously stated on other posts, the FFA need to connect more with the community, and another way to do this is through free-to-air broadcasting. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a simple concept.
Someone notices a match or team on television, possibly giving them impetus to attend a match live. Advertisement of matches would be more effective on free-to-air. It will reach almost 20 million more people!
I never find out a match is on until I bother trolling through the internet. Imagine being a sporting bystander. You may not even know the competition is underway!
Increase of catchment means increase of interest, which means increase in attendances.
It’s a formula that the FFA have missed, and the public have been yearning for.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.