Football Federation Australia (FFA) will open official negotiations with TV broadcasters in April to discuss the next A-League broadcast deal.
The FFA, who have reportedly been in contact with a group of parties interested in the A-League broadcast rights, is expecting interest from the free-to-air channels to help stimulate an improved deal on the current four-year, $160 million one which expires in mid-2017.
The current deal sees Fox Sports cover all games live, while SBS holds the free-to-air rights for the A-League, showing one game per week on Friday nights. While Fox Sports is expected to continue as the league’s pay-TV provider, there is expected to be plenty of competition for the free-to-air rights.
Channel Nine is reportedly interesting in negotiating with the FFA, while Channel Ten, which has garnered great ratings with its coverage of the Big Bash over summer, is set to be a key player in the negotiations.
“I think what we’ve shown with Big Bash is that we have the ability to innovate and do things differently,” Paul Anderson, Network Ten chief executive, told Fairfax Media.
“We’ve shown that if you have an alignment with the sporting body about the direction of the code and you work together for a mutually beneficial outcome, then lots of things become possible.”
The news comes after last week’s announcement from the FFA of a new strategic plan for 2016-2019 which aims to create a greater engagement in the A-League.
“The four-year strategic plan represents a significant shift in emphasis towards our showcase competition, the Hyundai A-League,” said FFA Chairman Steven Lowy.
“This is primarily about broadcast rights and commercial partnerships, which are the economic foundation of football around the world.”
The FFA announced a number of key points at the launch of the strategic plan, including a centralised approach to recruiting marquee players for the A-League.
“There is impatience from all levels of the game to do more, and do it quickly,” said Lowy. “That’s good. It’s healthy.
“It shows our game is brimming with enthusiasm and that there’s a hunger for success.
“The upcoming renegotiation of our broadcast arrangements will be critical to funding our four-year strategy, but some projects can’t wait until we wrap up that new deal.”
alicesprings
Guest
It was a racist remark towards Indigenous Australians not worth repeating..
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Remember Ten has V8 Supercars, Formula 1 GP, MotoGP and Netball alongside with Foxtel.
marron
Guest
Missed what was said. Was it possibly someone responding to my challenge to quit hiding behind hints and inferences and just call football fans what he clearly obviously wants to?
Griffo
Roar Guru
I hit the report comment hours ago although I'm not sure it is either working, or working how I remembered it... ...I'm actually glad there wasn't silence regarding that post.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Smoky - your post was 4 hours ago. Did you hit the 'report comment' link on the above post? This should have been removed by now if you did. Just for future reference if you didn't.
FIUL
Guest
Unbelievable. A disgusting, racist rant by "pontiosmalak" & the moderators on The Roar have no issue. But, if I hurt the feelings of Eggball fans - posts get moderated. A sad reflection on The Roar's editorial priorities.
Alicesprings
Guest
What the hell mate?? A few words in there that don't belong in any century..
northerner
Guest
moderators - the comment above contains abusive and racist terms. It should be removed.
northerner
Guest
Indeed. I can't believe that racist, semi-literate rant is still there.
Tom
Guest
That's the spirit! Finally a bit of passion for the cause from the Waz!
Smoky
Guest
Moderators?
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
And on second thoughts, after making rash and bold predictions.. "The mid point is probably a fair reflection of the value, i.e. around the $63 mill mark." Someone backpedaling already? And to the tune of a casual 20 mill... Geez didn't take much.. Clearly any figures mf spews should be taken with a grain of salt.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your input the Wookie...but you should stick to wearing women's sunglasses and reporting on Neanderthal collision sports. It's your fortè. Ps. They are very cool sunnies... (My sister has the same ones).
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"I didn’t make a prediction – I asked the community a legitimate question." Oh yes you did., AND you asked a question that supports your prediction. Don't back peddle now, it's not very dignified.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Bookmark this page folks you may or may not want to come back to it in the future lol" Done and done!
Waz
Guest
As I said the content is here for decades, so let other people decide whether you made a prediction or not. You were very clear imo. Anyway, I'm done on this topic, have fun.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I didn't make a prediction - I asked the community a legitimate question. With the 2nd most popular soccer club in the land getting a miserly 35k on Fox, when it was fighing for top spot - you have to question the overall value of the rights. Where is the incentive for Fox to open its wallet? In terms of commercial FTA, allow me to remind you that the BBL went from regular 300k ratings on Fox to 1 mill ratings on FTA. But if you're starting point is 35k - then you can't realy expect the commercial FTAs to get excited (they aren't going to pay big coin to get ratings around the 150k mark). On this very thread, Fuss has explained that all soccer fans are watching their soccer via streams - they are shunning traditional TV - that might be the case - but isn't that also an argument for Fox to reduce what it's prepared to pay?
Punter
Guest
Waz, looks like he is already defending his bold prediction. You can smell the fear!!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Waz I don't have a problem with your 10-20% prediction, but note that the AFL rights (from next year) are worth only $418 million per annum, so your 10 to 20% estimate starts to look more like: $41.8 mill to $83.6 mill The mid point is probably a fair reflection of the value, i.e. around the $63 mill mark.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Waz I have never actually predicted an amount, so I'm not sure where you get this idea about soccer being lucky to get the numbers it has now. A doubling in the value does look like a long shot - but I would never say never. And I really struggle to see that it could get up to $100 mill per annum, as was predicted by one of our comrades on this board. That seems far more worthy of bookmarking than anything I have said.