We have reached the halfway mark of the A-League season. SBS have tried hard and appear to have thrown everything they can at making football shows, but their ratings across all shows are falling.
Fox are holding their rating figures and are up six percent according on last year according to Mark Bosnich. Given the effect of the marquee matches in the opening four rounds last season this is excellent for Fox.
Crowds are up 12 to 14 percent on last year.
General media coverage is at its highest and and best ever and is in most measurable ways light years of where it was even three years ago. The ABC broadcast alone has had a significant impact on general news reporting.
Questions need to be raised off-season about why the SBS ratings are falling. It’s fair to say the bounce in ratings by going FTA is well below the expectations of most.
Can SBS do anything over the remaining rounds?
Thursday FC needs a total rethink. It is either a football show or a comedy – it can’t be both.
Aside from the host the presenters are poor, and the host can only work with what he has.
Much more thinking is needed on the Friday night live coverage. David Basheer is just bland and not the type who will drag people in, more turn the casual away.
FFA also need to ensure more attractive matches, while some of experts believe Jason Culina always seem to rubbish matches.
The highlights show is again way too bland again and should be in the form of a weekly analysis of the round by a panel.
It’s a four-year deal so still early days, but you hope SBS are researching and analysing what’s going wrong.
People want excitement from sports shows, but none of the SBS shows are presently anywhere near providing this. It’s important SBS lift their game (no pun intended) because it will impact on the next media deal.
The Friday night match being on SBS 2 rather than the main channel is another issue. SBS 2 has the second lowest overall viewership of any FTA network at just over one percent, while of the secondary channels Gem has the best rating of just over five percent.
Thursday FC is also being beaten in the ratings by the Fox equivalents.
I don’t want to come on too strong as I believe SBS are doing their best, but for SBS 2 to be out-rated by Fox when it’s the same call of the match says a lot.
Much discussion was had before and after the media deal on SBS. Although the Ten Network were making noises, the general perception by many was football was returning home and it would be treated with respect.
The treating with respect is one thing – putting on shows that will hold an audience is another skill entirely. Hopefully next year things can pick up.
bryan
Guest
"As an aside, what’s with the complete avoidance of showing any game from Perth?" Easy! if it doesn't happen in the Eastern States,it doesn't happen! :) Seriously,though,it reflects the NSW/Vic-centric administration of the SBS. SBS in Perth is just a delay centre,a link & the Transmitter.---no commitment at all! On top of that,Foxtel play hardball,& the SBS was probably happy to get anything. Even the mighty 7 Network got screwed over with the AFL's pre-season NAB Cup last year--no FTA coverage,except for the Grand Final.
LewDub
Roar Rookie
Hiding the game on SBS was a massive mistake. The point was to gain mainstream exposure. Check the ratings of any SBS program; they simply don't rate. So the A-League is on free to air, but on the channel most of us ignore unless there is a soccer game on (which we are aware of because we are already fans).
Marchisio
Guest
@ Neil Certainly not been my experience in Europe, I'm sorry to hear that,who did you see?
Neil
Guest
Just come back Europe and while their went to alot of football matches and my Wife commented their is more atmosphere and fair dinkum football at an A League game and I agree. Eurosnob football is full of actors and divers and some over paid footballers.
Neil
Guest
Nonsense!
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Sydney derby was marginally higher than the average, and well below some other matches this year. There's nothing to suggest that if it was an SBS match it would rate any better than marginally more than the average as well. And yes, I wouldn't expect Wellington to rate on 2 grounds - they have no fans in Australia and they're completely rubbish. Heart doesn't rate for the same reasons. Perth I wouldn't expect will rate on Fridays because most of their fans are still at work when the game is on. I probably wouldn't read too much into SBS figures this year in any case. No matter who's playing they seem to be on a huge downward spiral. The BBL has utterly obliterated it.
my left foot
Guest
That's pretty cool. I asumed you were khmer, didn't realise you live in cambodge. Well in to follow the game sir.
stu
Guest
I am no longer in the young bracket, so don't necesarily need to view a hyped up TV show for that reason. However, I would say the SBS coverage is increadibly dull yet the Fox team have some hype let it flow, can respond quickly to questions and add in there some banter. One could easily nod off or slit the wrist listening to the SBS crew. This is less than desirable as supporters who do not have Fox are simply tuning out. What did it for me was listening to Jason and Ned.....the most negative contributors to that show and would easily turn many off watching the game full stop.
Mick
Guest
I think the definition of poor coverage needs to go to ABC's radio coverage. Every sports hack that's ever called the Kickatinalong Cup or the wombat wrestling gets a run. And Paul Wades expert input? The man needs help. Overall effect is somewhat like listening to AFL / League, depending on where the game is.
nordster
Guest
That wasnt politics...Hayek is not politics if thats what you're referring to....any economic or philosophical points are fine in sport if its relevant.
nordster
Guest
But by watching the whole league u absolutely can. More open leagues have a wider variety of club types. The cartoon aspect in Australia comes from the attempt to create a level playing field partly. Trying to make all the clubs more level skews the league toward a certain size club. People are picking up on the difference with the local league compared to others. There's a lot more happening up and down the table with European leagues for example. That does feel more 'real' than the cartoon cartels here.
Orly
Guest
LAWL, quote of the day. The accents are fine IMO, although Lucy does talk a bit too much like Ned Zelic. Funny that... I prefer the Foxsports in-game commentary (especially Hill) to Basheer, but I much prefer the Fozsports pre- and post-match analysis. The Fozsports analysis has far more substance IMO compared with the often banal, dumbed-down analysis on Fox. If a team is playing poorly, the Fox team usually resort to shallow comments like 'they haven't turned up' or whatever, whereas Fozzie and co. actually explain the tactical battles and treat their audience as having an average IQ in double figures. Thursday FC is a bit of a mess and it's such a shame they didn't go with Santo, Sam and Ed. OTOH, would these changes make much difference? This season's entertainment on the pitch has certainly gone backwards, with frankly unwatchable teams like Heart, Sydney FC, Newcastle, Perth and CCM, while Welly (in recent times), WSW, Adelaide and Victory are sometimes hit and miss but generally good to watch IMO, especially the latter two. Brisbane are a class above.
Ian
Guest
To most punters the A-League is functioning appropriately. Please try and keep politics and football separate.
brisvegas
Guest
IStill doesn't explain what you mean by 'cartoon'. I've watched a lot overseas football and I'm absolutely sure that I couldn't tell you how the league was administered simply by watching a football game. Nor, I dare venture, could anyone.
Al
Guest
Channel 7 had 2 big "ratings" games in 2013 and how crap was the telecast........
Uncle Junior
Guest
Jack Russell, the Sydney Derby on Foxsports attracted above average ratings. All I'm suggesting is give SBS the games that are likely to rate higher; rather than the games that are likely to rate lower. For instance, Wellington Phoenix is a team that represents a different country and empirical data and common sense tells us that an insignificant portion of the Wellington Phoenix fanbase is resident in Australia. Given that SBSTV is not broadcast into New Zealand, it seems totally pointless having any Wellington matches broadcast on Friday night. Yet, the Phoenix have more SBS matches than Perth Glory. The Big 4 rating teams on TV are: Brisbane, Melbourne Victory, SydneyFC, Western Sydney. Adelaide can be added when they play Melbourne Victory. So far, Western Sydney's matches on SBS have been against: Brisbane, Heart and Adelaide. The WestSydney vs Brisbane match is the 2nd highest rating A-League match on SBS.
nordster
Guest
I have wondered if she is the "Jelly Cup" aka "Smiles, Julia" from twg forum days :) We friended on PSN network and played some fifa back in the day!
nordster
Guest
The administrative structure of the league determines how interesting it is on a competitive level. I wont try and explain it to u if u dont already "get it".... Its entirely different to commentary...
nordster
Guest
When you've watched a lot of overseas football leagues, then the difference is quite stark. The contrived, cartoonish quality to the league is there to see. The whole idea is to artificially create a closed shop, level playing field. This Is Not Football.....
nordster
Guest
Moral hazard....attempting to protect the game forever from overspending will surely mean it'll never be capable of being properly functional.... Regulations to achieve such things...is that the defintion of Hayek's "fatal conceit" ?