Snapshot of week one in the AFL finals

Ratings for last weekend's finals, regionals included: Adel/Frem TV audience: 1.753m. Coll/WC TV audience 1.925m - Highest rating match year to date, and higher than any game last year except for grand final.

Related to this story, here's another story about how Cricket Australia is using AFL Media to do its video production work for the BBL: http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/afl-media-gets-a-summer-job-working-on-crickets-big-bash-league/ TC

Here's some more interesting news on how the AFL's new media arm is faring: AFL Media. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/opinion/afl-turns-back-on-those-who-fostered-it/story-e6frg9tf-1226475158423 Some interesting bits from the article: "AFL Media invested $5.5 million setting up its operations in AFL House. There are 22 journalists and another 30-odd staff producing news, video and content for AFL and club websites, as well as providing Telstra with content. This is a sweet deal: Telstra pays the AFL $30m a year for streaming rights to games and then pays AFL Media to produce the content. Supported by the AFL's major sponsors, the media operations are profitable in year one and full payback of the investment is expected next year. Clearly, it's good business." "Telstra adds $150m for online rights. It provides live coverage via a smartphone or tablet app at $50 a season. It expected about 250,000 downloads, but already has notched up 1.2 million."

Yeah it goes off. Good choice. Roger's old man use to play for Kalgoorlie, he has football pedigree.

Regardless of who shaded who or whether both codes pulled level or whatever, I think both negotiating teams can sit back with a cold one or three and say "we done good by our code". Both good results.

As an AFL fan, I agree that we are well served by the deal, no doubt about it. By the way, how about that new ad with Rogers: This is greatness. If that doesn't get you going - nothing will!! The season would now not be complete without having AC/DC perform at the grand final, with full Scottish bagpipe troupe in tow. TC

As you see TC, I wasn't the only one who noticed :) The AFL's deal delivers great access across FTA and Foxtel. If viewers in NSW and QLD watch a bit of AFL its easy and available. This helps grow the game. This is why the deal is so superior to the NRL's dash for cash.

For those interested, this Crikey article provides more detailed ratings info about the opening weekend of finals, and includes regional numbers, but it does warn about poor coding data for the ratings in regional markets, so it's a case of buyer beware. http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/09/11/afl-beats-rugby-league-in-tv-head-to-head/ TC

Macca I haven't mentioned League at any stage, and wish them all the best. This thread is a snapshot on the AFL finals, and I've given a bit of a picture on the attendances and TV ratings for the first week of the finals. TC

Hi TC, For good order, I'm an AFL man. One possible flaw in the figures is that many Rugby League followers watch the games in NSW in RSL clubs. The figures you advise may not actually capture these viewers, and could be materially flawed. It is similar to newspaper numbers, whereby the numbers in some instances actually include an additional number of people that read the paper in a coffee shop, library etc. Just a thought.

Comment amended and shifted below. Sorry

Perhaps Red B because many of us are still celebrating a $1.025bn Tv deal ,on 8 games per week (not 9),with more to come for mobile and Sky NZ.. Possibly remaining quiet as rugby league has to date 66 of the top Pay Tv programs,and the reason Foxsports paid $550m over 5 years.The so called dent to date minimal.The take up rate for AFL on Fox has been far les than Fox expected. And indeed ch9 paying $475m over 5 years ($95m pa) ,all of the above emphatically suggested by AFL types on this site would not happen. Indeed "funny that". First and last rights clause has been removed,$90m paid upfront,20 weeks fixed scheduling. If that is being left in the shade,I am quite happy to sit in the shade sipping a cold one. And the regional numbers just keep rolling along.The competiton has some petty cash to play with,enjoy.

Just getting back to those ratings, 4.9 million for 4 games (counting only 5 city metro FTA and Fox figures) is a pretty good result. You'd have to think that that is a record viewing audience for a weekend of finals for the AFL, or pretty close to it. TC

must be finals time with no essendon in sight and red b looking for something else to champion.

Redb making up figures again. Must be finals time!!!!!

Bit cocky when NRL isn't simulcast on live on Fox, NRL regionals dwarf AFL, and Nine has underhyped the NRL compared to Seven. See the Storm got 64,000 on GEM. Imagine if Nine actually started promoting them? Lots of flaws in your argument.

Pete That's the way the Fox figures come out, whereas the OZTAM ratings (the one used by the industry) are 5 city metro only. You use what is made available. TC

NRL fans are quiet because all the ratings are not released yet, and you know it full well. It's amazing AFL fans want to pretend Regional Australia does not count for FTA, but are happy to include it for Pay TV.

Dear TC, My role is to highlight previously flawed arguments by noting the facts. :) As a comment just on the AFL alone, the next TV deal in whatever form is well set up to grow revenue again. The TV deal delivers the access for the public and the numbers watching will be turning a few heads dont worry about that. Wait until GC and GWS make their move. ;)

Redb As true as all that may be, I am not one to seek out code wars. My role here is to put up verifiable facts and figures in the most objective manner I am able, and to let the reader come to his or her own conclusions. At the end of the day, we are here to serve the dear reader and give them the most objective facts and figures that we can muster. We wish all sports the very best of luck in their endeavours, and hope that they are all able to prosper up to whatever station in life they have set themselves.