With the A-League fixtures for next season set to be released tomorrow, featuring a live Friday night free-to-air fixture on SBS2 for the first time, it’s pertinent to ask what type of fixture should kick-off each weekend?
Should the Friday night FTA game be used to showcase the competition through a blockbuster clash, such as the Sydney or Melbourne Derby?
Is it an opportunity for the FFA to expand the interest in the competition by kicking off each weekend with one of the matches of the round, a strategy used by other codes?
Given the success of the competition last season with growing crowds, ratings and club membership, does the Friday fixture present a strategic opportunity to expand the reach of the competition even further?
Or should the fixturing be commensurate with what SBS paid as part of the new TV deal, reported at the time to have been no more than $10m?
With Foxsports having coughed up the lion’s share of the new $160m four-year deal and having done a great job of covering the league over its initial eight seasons, should they be rewarded with the blockbusters?
Is it enough, simply, that fans are getting a taste of the A-League on FTA?
Based on what I’ve been hearing, it looks likely that the FFA have taken the latter option.
When the draw is announced tomorrow, it’s unlikely that the Friday night fixtures will feature too many of the blockbusters, such as the derbies, the Big Blue, and the grand final replay.
Certainly it appears that Sydney FC may launch the season, and with Alessandro Del Piero on board, that would be a big way to launch the return of FTA football.
But beyond that there may be less to get excited about for FTA fans.
Indeed, it appears that one or two of the weaker clubs, such as the Melbourne Heart, will feature in a few Friday night games.
This may be a way to help some clubs on the road to sustainability.
Yet, give some of the Heart’s crowds at AAMI Park over the past couple of seasons, what sort of image will showcasing them reflect on the competition?
And, indeed, could putting the Heart at home live on a Friday night further erode AAMI crowds, with wavering fans tempted to sit in front of the couch?
Will empty seats at AAMI Park or a less active support at say Bluetongue be the type of image that we want to remit on FTA?
To those getting their first taste of the A-League next season, is it best to showcase some of the bigger active support spectacles and atmospheres to them?
There was speculation in one report last week that the FFA might feature up to five Western Sydney Wanderers games on Friday, tapping into a strength area for the code.
This appears unlikely, with fans of the club strong in their opposition to having too many Friday night games when the club was launched.
More likely is that a few of the Wanderers away games might be beamed back into the lounges of fans watching on FTA in western Sydney.
If that’s the case, it would certainly help Friday night ratings, with Sydney and Melbourne still considered the best-rating markets.
It’s a fine balancing act for the FFA. On the one hand they would want to reward Fox for their loyalty and support so far, yet on the other they need to be strategic and try and build on the success of the past two seasons, particularly last season.
When the draw is announced tomorrow we will know a little more, but I’m keen to hear your thoughts on what the best way forward is with Friday night football?
Prosinecki
Guest
The problem with Perth is that night games in Perth kick off at 6:45pm, which is 9:45pm when it's daylight savings time in Sydney/Melbourne. I'm surprised Sydney FC hasn't dominated the Friday night games allocation, given ADP is the biggest drawcard the A-League has ever had and that will draw viewers no matter where the game is being played.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
T@Australian Rules So, by that answer, you agree that AFL fans would tune in to SBS2, ABC1, 7mate, etc. etc. to watch their competition. I'm glad you finally see common sense ... intelligent people watch TV for specific content - they'll look up the TV Guide & find which channel is broadcasting their preferred content. Only the most intellectually feeble minds will sit & watch a particular channel - regardless of what is being broadcast.
Australian Rules
Guest
The AFL has the biggest TV audience of any sport in Australia. I needn't go into crowds. I think the fans are committed enough. Whether the same can be said of ALeague fans on SBS2, I guess we'll soon see.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Yeah that was always going to be hard Nathan, but at least your team has received a much nicer draw.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Hopefully enough quality present each Friday night. It's not that bad draw actually. 24 out of the 27 matches of fta will include a team from one of the four major populus areas - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne(x2)) and west Sydney.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Balance Please To repeat the words of SBS's Managing Director: "all A-League matches from next season will be on SBS HD" I'm not sure why this is so difficult to understand?
Jukes
Guest
"But it really drops off and by Round 12 we really see some potential for some dire crowds for TV, I mean Heart v Phoenix? Really was it advisable to put this game on FTA." The draw is not going to be 100% perfect and there will be matches where the Friday night game looks to be a dud. I think every club should have a chance to be on FTA. In any case we dont know how the teams are going to shape up for the new season. For all we know this might be a cracker of a match.
Balance please
Guest
Never said I was more 'knowledgeable' as you put it. All I'm saying that you cannot watch something in HD when it is broadcast in SD.. It may be filmed in HD as Fox has all games in HD & SBS will probably piggy back on their feed but u won't be seeing it in actual HD if ur watching it on SBS2.. But ur quite welcome over my joint to watch it on glorious HD on Fox. I'll even provide the beers
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@AR Again, I ask: "If AFL were on ABC TV or SBS TV, or even if AFL in Melbourne was moved to 7mate do you expect AFL fans to say .. “nah, stuff that. I’m not watching unless it’s on Channel 71"? Surely, AFL fans are more committed to their sport than that?
Australian Rules
Guest
You say that the ALeague will thrive on SBS2 is because fans will watch a show wherever it is (and hopefully, that's the case) - But your Exhibit A & B is The Ashes Series and the World Cup. They are bogus exhibits - you can't compare quadrennial global TV events with week to week domestic soccer matches. Your Exhibit C is gardening shows. - again, the broad appeal of something like gardening (with its older, more loyal demographic) is fundamentally different to sports programming. First, in some kind of order, viewers watch sport for these reasons: club, sport, event (marquee). The gardening show attract roughly the same tv audience week in week out...sporting fixtures will vary greatly on who is playing, what it 'means', is it a final? etc. The issue of whether SBS2 will attract a slightly smaller audience than SBS is an interesting one. You position seems to be "don't be ridiculous, people are bright enough to work their remotes". The *reality*, however, is that secondary channels fare consistently poorly in comparison to their primary channels, for whatever reason. Now SBS may have less of a dip with the ALeague (we'll find out next year) but the evidence shows that this trend is real.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
There would not be a single intelligent adult living in AUS, who doesn't associate SBS with Football broadcasts. The two have been linked for the past 30 years. You agree that: "Fans of gardening will tune into the ABC’s ‘Gardening Australia’" And, now, fans of football have the opportunity to tune in to SBS to watch A-League. If AFL were on ABC TV or SBS TV, do you expect AFL fans to say .. "nah, stuff that. I'm not watching unless it's on Ch7, Ch9 or Ch10"? Surely, no one is that dull?
Australian Rules
Guest
You're making a few basic mistakes here. First, you're comparing dramas and lifestyle shows... with sports programming. Sport as a TV product has a far smaller natural audience than mainstream TV shows. Comparing an ALeague game to The Voice is a pointless exercise...just like comparing sales of Toyota Camry's to sales of Porches would be. Second, not every show that rates higher than AFL is a "marquee event", as you blithely suggest. There's more to it than raw numbers. Fans of gardening will tune into the ABC's 'Gardening Australia'...but do you also think the 600k that tuned into the Eurovision Final are all avid fans of obscure EuroPop? I'd suggest they're not...but that TV program is an event...just as The Ashes & World Cup are "marquee events" (sporting ones) which come around once every 4 years and attract a premium in terms of price and audience numbers. Week to week sport is a different kettle of fish.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Deliberate move from the FFA to keep value in the Fox deal and make sure the blockbusters don't have to compete against the gate.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
"Let them fume! So long as they fear!"
Wat Le Fark
Roar Rookie
Looks more like Foxtel chose the games, than SBS. Starts off with a bang and then fizzles a bit. Anyway lets reserve judgement till the season proper and what position BR, AU and MH are in the table at the business end of the season. Not surprised FFA didn't let go of any derbies to FTA. When tickets are hard to get, people buy memberships to make sure they get a seat (that's the theory anyway. You can expect a few more derby sellouts, so the clubs and FFA want you to buy memberships to make sure you don't miss out. Anyway, all looks positive and we are getting live games and a highlights package every week for free. Best way to see the games is live.
Australian Rules
Guest
The reality (despite the theoretical logic) is that secondary channels *do* rate lower than primary channels. And you can see it in the programming: when a show starts to wane it gets moved from Ch.9 to Gem...or from 7 to 7mate. That said, I think there'll be less discrepancy with SBS.
Viva La North
Guest
Looks like the FFA just shoot themselves in the foot with no genuine blockbusters on free to air this season
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Also, lol, we're playing on Australia Day ... .... in Parramatta.
Brendo
Guest
Perth was never going to get a home game as it was already announced that it would be east Coast Only (& Adelaide)
Brendo
Guest
Got to say I am very surprised at the SBS schedule Here is a breakdown Appearances on Friday Night BR 9 AU 8 MH 7 MV 6 SFC 6 NJ 5 WSW 4 CCM 4 WP 3 PG 2 It really surprised me that Phoenix has any at all and that Perth has two. What possible benefit is there is playign these two teams on a Friday night in terms of FTA. I also checked the away teams to see if there was a bias for the biggest drawing clubs SFC 4 BR 4 NJ 3 MV 3 WP 3 WSW 2 AU 2 CCM 2 MH 2 PG 2 No surprise that SFC, PR & MV are up towards the top. Overall I am surprised how spread out the away matches are though. The big winners in the draw are Roar fans (9 appearances on Friday night and 4 of those away matches). Biggest losers, maybe Adelaide. With 8 appearances they are only shown away on 2 of those so 6 of their home games are going to be on FTA. Will be interesting to see the impact on their gate. From a fan perspective. There no a huge amount to get excited about. The first 4 rounds should be crackers with a good atmosphere. But it really drops off and by Round 12 we really see some potential for some dire crowds for TV, I mean Heart v Phoenix? Really was it advisable to put this game on FTA.