While Foxtel have lost the rights to the English Premier League to Optus, the pay-TV service have done all they can to satisfy Aussie football fans.
Their solution is to instead give us European football entertainment, creating two additional beIN sports channels that will provide all things football in Europe.
Additionally, Foxtel have provided us with six of the big English clubs’ independent television program channels: MUTV, Liverpool TV, Chelsea TV, Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City.
Foxtel will also air Premier League games on a ten-hour delay, which means no staying up to an ungodly hour to watch games, but also that we’ll have to stay off social media during that delay.
This also means Aussies will learn more about the major European leagues. I’m not saying that no Australians support other European leagues, however most of our favourite teams are in the EPL. These new channels will give us the power to advance our knowledge of major leagues such as the Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1.
However, we will not stop loving England’s Premier League. How can anything compare to staying up for that 3am Manchester City versus Liverpool fixture? Or a 2:45am North London Derby?
Still, after missing a few of your team’s live games, you will feel slightly disconnected.
Martyn50
Guest
Well said Freddie. Some posters knocked the analysis and highlights to try and bring down other football codes.
Freddie
Guest
Alexander, I think you're a bit confused as to how the TV networks operate. The reason Fox has NRL and AFL shows is because they are promoting the products they pay to broadcast. Therefore, there is next to no reason why they would provide analysis shows for European leagues, as they don't have the rights. They belong to bein sports, so it is that channels responsiblility if anyones.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
This will all depend on the exposure the European games actually get. There's no point showing the games live if you don't have some analysis shows and highlights on Fox Sports News to increase the awareness. Sadly, this is very lacking at the moment - especially the European component - with the NRL and AFL 30 minute prime-time shows not helping (no idea why they're needed and what they could possibly cover). I for one, am actually excited about the Optus deal (possibly because I'm already a customer) because not only are they showing games live but they're promising some proper analytical shows. Mark "he should've saved that" Bosnich, and Robbie "what's his name again" Slater are pretty average to say the least.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
I repeat: OzTAM data includes time-shifting. There is nothing to suggest significant number of people are time-shifting EPL matches
Mister Football
Roar Guru
There can be 4 to 6 games on at the same time - so plenty of people might be time shifting, but that audience might be spread over 4 to 6 games.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
OzTAM data includes time-shifting. There is nothing to suggest significant number of people are time-shifting EPL matches.
At work
Roar Rookie
No people wouldn't currently be waiting 12 hrs to watch their team play, but I would guess many would record the 2am game and watch it first thing in the morning when they wake up.
Ian
Guest
" those people who list 10 teams they follow in various sports" Have to agree with this. When I see that on some social media and a person lists 10 teams in 10 different sports they apparently love I really wonder how much time they have to support each of them.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
You're kidding if you think real fans of EPL clubs are waiting 12 hours to watch their team play. For sure, the nominal fans - i.e. those people who list 10 teams they follow in various sports may wait 12 hours & then fast forward the replay to the goals and say "I watched the game". OzTAM data includes time shifted viewing and there is nothing to suggest significant numbers of EPL is viewed via time shifting.
mattq
Roar Rookie
or Foxtel subscribers will do as they have always done (in the main) and just watch it on delay the next day.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
People who follow EPL clubs may be a bit annoyed about the changes to the broadcasting if they are not eligible Optus customers, but they'll not change their behaviour. They'll be up at the odd hours every week to watch their team playing in the UK. Only the event-watchers will be impacted. They'll find a new event to start watching & they'll change their social media profiles to include their new favourite club that's near the top of Bundesliga, LaLiga, SerieA, etc.