Thursday night I was in the middle of a gruelling evening shift, one that was going slower than usual. However, the wonders of internet saved me from boredom, as I got to witness the of the most exciting football matches I’ve seen in sometime.
It wasn’t A-League or a meaningless pre-season friendly, it was what’s quickly becoming my favourite sports tournaments, the Australia Cup.
Broadmeadow Magic gave Melbourne heavyweights Bentleigh Greens a run for their money as they went down 2-1 in extra-time. But other than the exciting football being displayed, Channel 10 and by extension Paramount Plus ran a tight ship that the best in sports broadcasting we have seen since they bought the footballing license.
The around the ground’s updates, the commentary and the fluent, uninterrupted stream shows just how good Channel 10 could be for the upcoming season.
Ben Homer in what could be described as a football fans paradise with multiple screens being up to date with all the action was brilliant with Brosque and Ulrich providing some great insights into the historical competition.
With all we went through in terms of teething problems, such as slow streaming, advertisements in key moments and major technical difficulties at the grounds last season it seems that the newbies of sports broadcasting have got their act together, and just in time.
Channel 10 and Paramount CBS needed to demonstrate how football broadcasting could work in the future. I cannot remember Fox Sports delivering such features, at least not in the latter stages of its football broadcasting deal.
I hope these are signs of what’s to come as Sokkah (and yes this is the true Australian pronunciation) needs a lift not just in commercial and media presence but in quality in terms of at home viewing.
Perhaps televising early NPL games before the primetime A-League Saturday night match could build a culture of football viewership for families in Oz. For now, I will admire the steps that Channel 10 have taken in the off-season to ensure their product is now error free and let’s hope it stays that way.
Igor Oligarchov
Guest
Saw a lovely piece about old NSL team Heidelberg Alexander and the loyal fans. Sadly, I think noone was younger than 60 years old.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I don't get too enthused with these early matches, although it was good to see Modbury Jets from SA second tier, smash the WA mid-table top-tier club. It is always fun, watching the lower levels.
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
I have been critical of Paramount like many others and will continue to do so as required but credit where credit is due they absolutely smashed Thursday night out of the park and I can’t wait for next Wednesday. Keep it up Paramount and perhaps in future consider the following three initiatives: Add in picture-in-picture functionality so viewers can genuinally watch 2-3 matches at the same time. Give the semi finals the same treatment given to the final. Show it on free-to-air on a Saturday in back-to-back games. Give it the full production treatment to further develop/extend out the pointy end of the tournment. Have the AL teams join one round earlier in the round of 64. This would create the likelihood of more NPL v AL matches which is good for the NPL ticket sales and matchday takings, creates more chances for cupsets and just gives Paramount potentially 32 more games to show (perhaps only half are televised but ideally all of them). All AL matches can wait until the latter stages. It makes it a tournament just that little bit more difficult to win, which makes it all the more enjoyable for the victor. It further builds out the content on offer in winter and across 10Play/Paramount.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’m hoping a NPL team makes it to the finals. “Cupsets” are very possible. APIA Leichhardt did it last season against WSW. There were some big scores last night. Avondale won 6-0 against Mindil Aces.
Grem
Roar Rookie
How good to watch football on free to air during the week! I too noticed the better picture quality and the quality picture in picture crosses to goals scored at other grounds. The picture in picture is something they didn’t do well last season on Saturday nights during their double main games. The Australia Cup will still be a slow burn, but was so enjoyable to watch and what an opportunity for young players to be noticed and older players to get their chance to be on tv! The atmosphere coming through was good as well. I hope you are right and it is a sign of what’s in store for future broadcasting of football.