This is going to be brief article, but there are a lot of issues surrounding one question in football fans’ minds: can we trust Channel Seven.
Channel Seven is reported to be interested in broadcasting both the A-League and Socceroos after the current deal expires in 2017.
But after so much history, is it time to bury the hatchet? I remember the email. I remember when the NSL was broadcast.
REPORT: ARE SBS TRYING TO OFFLOAD THE A-LEAGUE?
Do we, as football fans, bury the hatchet and forgive them without iron clad guarantees?
So many questions remain about what a deal like this would mean, like whether the A-League ready for a commercial network? And with SBS reportedly looking to cut their A-League ties, what does that mean for this deal?
Will Football also enjoy the cross over promotion in news and morning shows?
What channel would it be?
Personally if Seven pay enough and provide the necessary guarantees then it is at least worth a test.
My reading of the tea leaves is in the ACT, New South Wales and Queensland, the A-League and Soccerooswould out-rate AFL, whereas in the Southern States AFL would be the clear winner. Accordingly I assume Football could be placed on Seven’s main secondary channel Australia wide. Socceroos games would, presumably, be on the main channel.
Other than Tennis, Seven don’t have a major summer time sport and they are said they are looking for one. Football would dovetail well with the end of the AFL season, so might be the perfect fit.
Lewis Martin, managing director of Channel Seven in Melbourne, gave a major hint that the network will negotiation with Football Federation Australia to purchase the rights of the league and international games and highlighted the growth of the game and the popularity of the Socceroos.
“For us it comes down to the discipline of the rights being required and the return we can get, ” Martin said.
“We all know about the growth of football in this country and the participation rates.”
Lewis Martin’s comments above clearly indicate it is a matter of price as I read them and question remain open about whether Seven would simply broadcast the matches or openly promote the game akin the way the AFL is promoted on the network.
Nine are also reported to be interested.
So is it time to bury the hatchet with Seven, football fans?
BigAl
Guest
Bondy just . . . "Can't handle the truth!"
Paul
Guest
The biggest attendances at this CWC have been for India matches. The South Asian communities are a huge part of the future of Australian cricket and love the game year round, not just during summer.
AL
Guest
Seven will do the same again. Bury the a-league deep, deep into midnight spots. Those who dont remember have no idea of the blatant colusion between the afl and seven. It was bullying of the highest form. Do bully boys ever change? No, JUst look at some of the so called news reporting by seven, not so long ago. http://fearofaroundball.com/its-getting-way-out-of-hand/ Then reporting on AFL crowd trouble http://fearofaroundball.com/channel-7s-coverage-of-afl-fan-violence/
AR
Guest
None of that is actually true, but whatever keeps you entertained gents.
punter
Guest
Bondy, he lives on the other sport tabs reminds me of the saying. "keep your friends near but your enemies closer' Every time I see him post in the football tab I feel at least one person in AFL is worried.
Boban
Guest
Seven had the chance to establish a good relationship with football back in 1998. Instead it almost killed the sport in this country. Can you imagine Seven broadcasting games now? "Big tall lad Janko off his left foot, that was deliiiciouuusssss..."
Bondy
Guest
I just find you to be an unusual person when I post here you mention AFL most times and how they do it correctly and appropriately when I post on the League Tab there you are again explaining how AFL could or does do it better . Can you imagine if I sat on the AFL Tab daily explaining how many member confederations throughout the world who play football ,how many participate globally,TV penetration rates throughout the world I would become tiresome and predictable one would feel .... You're one of the staunchest advocates here for AFL on this site though ironically dont really post on the AFL Tab ...
Punter
Guest
I for one enjoy your posts AR, makes a dull day at work much knowing that despite Football being no 3 football code in Australia to know AFL fanboys like you care about the A-League to keep posting your little comments.
AR
Guest
Bondy, out of curiosity, do you ever post any content or opinion, or is it all "AR you're not welcome here!?"
Bondy
Guest
Another busy day AR spending a lot of time on a sport you dislike or have no overall drive for .
AR
Guest
There was 51,552 at the MCG.
Bill
Guest
Do you have a credible source for these claimed attendance figures? BTW, how many games have the WASPS played in the tournament already?.........................5 or 6? And how many have the Kiwis played so far? I contest that the two 'home' teams (ie. the WASPS & the Kiwis) have played at least 12 home games between them which has both skewed and helped to lift the competition's average figures tremendously. In comparison, our Socceroos ONLY played 6 games in total and CA and the now defunct Napthine right wing extremist nazi govt made the MCG off limits to them so that they could limit attendances and the AFC also cost the Socceroos a guareenteed semifinal 85K fullhouse at the Olympic Stadium because by the enforcement of trivial protocols.
Bill
Guest
.....
AZ_RBB
Guest
I've been going around counting.
Bill
Guest
Credable source for these claimed figures?
Stadia Cooperoz
Guest
So why stretch it out over a ridiculous 6 weeks to end up with the usual suspects? Stas are one thing but as some here have implied the Asian Cup showed a lot more soul. Yes Aussies had a washout but they still played more pool matches than Socceroos.
Bill
Guest
Thats how the vast majority of your fellow Australians see it also UJ
Bill
Guest
Sounds like pathetic excuse making to me Sunshine
Casper
Guest
Bondy - that's exactly what mainstream Australia means, which is probably about 90 pct of the population.
Mervyn
Guest
Soccer outrates AFL in the northern states?? Soccer has 1 FTA game on TV is summer when there is no competition and gets 100k viewers nationwide a a Friday night. The AFL is on 4 times on FTA a week on a weekend and like soccer is on Fox too so you cant make that statement. Fox put it on FTA SBS to attract aan audience and then take it off so you have to have Fox - they have used the same tactic before to build a FTA audience and then withdraw it to get pay T subscribers Most hard core soccer fans would have Fox already that can afford it so doubt they will get a Pay Tv spike but if o/s soccer leaves SBS then maybe....