ABC TV's coverage of the SANFL in doubt?

[Reddeer]

Got this tweet this morning...

BIG DAY! Senate will vote at 11.20am #Adelaide time on Sarah Hanson-Young's motion to back #sanflonabc. Tune in live: bit.ly/pByo02

Will mean nothing!!

[RM]

Why are the ABC concerned about ratings? They're not selling advertising, they're not supposed to be competing with the commercial networks, they're supposed to be providing an alternative.

Sorry nickname your post is so so wrong...Broadcasting is all about ratings and the ABC is no different. Why do I know?? I worked there for 23 years and I have also sat in the meetings every year in which we discussed the SANFL coverage and it from a distance this year doesnt seem anything new.

[nickname]

Why are the ABC concerned about ratings? They're not selling advertising, they're not supposed to be competing with the commercial networks, they're supposed to be providing an alternative.

Sorry nickname your post is so so wrong...Broadcasting is all about ratings and the ABC is no different.

How does that make my post wrong? I understand the ABC ARE concerned about ratings, I'm simply asking why. If they concentrated on meeting their charter by providing programming which is alternative to the commercial networks, they wouldn't be worrying about getting ratings like the commercial networks.

[holden78]

This Government just needs a rabid virus to run all the way through it if they havent got anything better to do then waste time on issues that are obviously basic fundamentals to the Australian way of life ; Get a brain you Half Wits and Shirt lifters !

[ORDoubleBlues]

Sorry nickname your post is so so wrong...Broadcasting is all about ratings and the ABC is no different. Why do I know?? I worked there for 23 years and I have also sat in the meetings every year in which we discussed the SANFL coverage and it from a distance this year doesnt seem anything new.

RM, a serious question - Why was the ABC spokeswoman so adamant about a month ago that this was just something that the public and other media pulled out of thin air when it appears they were right all along? Was it just to stall while they worked out damage control?

[Dols]

Will be a very sad day if this does occur

[Gozu]

SENATORS from all sides of politics and every state have voted to unanimously reject ABC plans to dump SANFL broadcasts.

The motion passed yesterday as the SA Friends of the ABC accused ABC managing director Mark Scott of misleading it over plans to drop coverage like SANFL telecasts.

"The Senate today has sent a clear message to the ABC that it does not want to see local sporting coverage dumped for commercial reasons," SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"Local footy is enjoyed by thousands of SA families and is a key part of the culture of our state. This is precisely the kind of thing our national broadcaster should promote."

A spokesman for the ABC stressed there had been no final decision on programming changes, which have been hotly debated since the organisation announced it would make internal production cutbacks last month, the result of "financial pressures".

At the same time the ABC put negotiations with the SANFL about broadcasts after this year on hold.

Senator Hanson-Young's motion won support from all parties and was co-sponsored by Nick Xenophon, Labor's Anne McEwen, Liberal Simon Birmingham and Greens colleague Penny Wright.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6138261358

[Thiele]

MY plea. If anyone going to the SANFL finals pretty please sign the pettion to keep the SANFL and Lawn bowls on the ABC tv.

[mighty_tiger_79]

I thought i heard Darren Chandler on triple M this morning saying that next years coverage is going ahead but beyond that ????

[Gozu]

The cash-strapped ABC is spending a massive $22 per viewer each week of the season to bring Tasmanian football to a tiny audience of about 3000, reveal figures leaked to Crikey.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/09/19/lea ... er-viewer/

[PhilH]

That is one of the big problems with state league broadcasts

Whilst the SANFL still has a strong indentity and following the same cannot be said for some of the other sport shown nationwide on Saturday afternoons.

The other issue is the time slot which affects SA & Tas the most
going head to head with a direct AFL telecast.

VFL has a game at 1.10pm which is all but done before the delayed 3pm AFL telecast is done.

WAFL has the advantage of a 2 hour time zone difference although this would be countered by the new regular Saturday twilight fixture.

In the SANFL should we have the ABC game start at 1.10pm? or for grounds with lights 3.10pm to have a decent time not head to head with AFL.

[Dogwatcher]

Press release just received:

22 September 2011
ABC TO MAINTAIN LOCAL FOOTBALL CONNECTION
The ABC will commence negotiations to bring the state-based Australian Rules competitions, Queensland’s Rugby League competition and NSW’s Shute Shield to audiences on ABC1 in 2012 and 2013.
At next week’s Senate Inquiry regarding recent ABC programming decisions, the ABC will confirm that it is seeking to continue its relationship with local leagues. The exact terms of new broadcasting agreements will be negotiated with the individual sporting bodies over coming weeks.
The Corporation also intends to canvass the challenges that confront it in this area and the need to begin work immediately on an agreed approach to future support.
While the ABC appreciates the importance of local football to passionate fans, the reality is that audiences have declined markedly in recent years. To cover the amount of local sport that the ABC currently broadcasts is expensive and the ABC must ensure that it is delivering value for money to its audiences and other stakeholders.
The ABC strives to deliver a compelling mix given its limited budget and the extensive coverage already provided on commercial networks. However, in a sports-proud nation, it is impossible to satisfy the demands of all codes and all fans. Our strategy acknowledges that times have changed – the ABC no longer has the ability to compete with commercial networks or pay-TV for big sports broadcasting contracts. We have had to re-assess our connection with some sports because of audiences, programming choices and costs. Our strategic priorities are towards the Paralympics and women’s sport.
The ABC understands that local football coverage is important to the state leagues in developing profile and grass roots support. The key is achieving this while ensuring the ABC’s limited resources remain available to provide coverage to other sporting events that struggle to attract the interest of the commercial media.
The ABC will look to work with the major football codes to secure the substantial support, both financial and logistical, that is necessary to continue the coverage of local football on ABC TV. The Corporation is also talking to the Federal Sports Minister, Senator Mark Arbib, on this important issue.
The ABC is continuing to develop a television production strategy which will include a more formal framework for sports coverage. That strategy will be released before the end of the year.
Mark Scott

[RB]

Perhaps to cut costs, Soders could wear a cheaper suit during telecasts. They could also shoot it in black & white (but no West v Glenelg matches)

[heater31]

Perhaps to cut costs, Soders could wear a cheaper suit during telecasts. They could also shoot it in black & white (but no West v Glenelg matches)

Soders is already cutting costs with his suits...... for those that attend the televised games would know he always wears jeans with his shirt & tie. For inclement weather he also dons the gum boots so he doesn't wreck his jeans

[RB]

Perhaps to cut costs, Soders could wear a cheaper suit during telecasts. They could also shoot it in black & white (but no West v Glenelg matches)

Soders is already cutting costs with his suits...... for those that attend the televised games would know he always wears jeans with his shirt & tie. For inclement weather he also dons the gum boots so he doesn't wreck his jeans

Wow I had no idea

[Hazydog]

Seems like good news in the short term at least - although you get the impression that they are doing it because they've been told rather than actually wanting to do it.

Just a thought on reducing the expenses - does the coverage have to be live? I'm thinking a delayed telecast - maybe starting at 4pm-ish - might still satisfy the need for exposure, country/elderley viewers etc.. but be less expensive to produce. (Come to think of it I dont recall seeing the word "live" in that press release.)

As I say...just a thought.

[Big Phil]

From Localfootysa...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6143568766

[RB]

Seems like good news in the short term at least - although you get the impression that they are doing it because they've been told rather than actually wanting to do it.

Just a thought on reducing the expenses - does the coverage have to be live? I'm thinking a delayed telecast - maybe starting at 4pm-ish - might still satisfy the need for exposure, country/elderley viewers etc.. but be less expensive to produce. (Come to think of it I dont recall seeing the word "live" in that press release.)

As I say...just a thought.

Delayed telecast could also (possibly) increase crowds @ televised games

[Dogwatcher]

MEDIA STATEMENT Senator Simon Birmingham Liberal Senator for South Australia Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray-Darling Basin Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Pressure pays off – ABC commits to SANFL coverage
I welcome today's announcement by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that it will start negotiations to continue televising South Australian National Football League (SANFL) football and other local sport beyond the current season.
This announcement is a pleasing response to last week's resolution by the Senate, which I was pleased to sponsor with Senators from all other political parties, calling on the ABC to maintain its SANFL broadcasts.
This resolution followed a series of letters from many of South Australia's federal MPs and the establishment of a Senate inquiry into ABC programming decisions.
I congratulate the ABC on hearing the concerns of thousands of South Australians and hope that these negotiations will result in broadcasts that encourage even greater enthusiasm for local footy.
SANFL football is exactly the sort of thing the ABC should be covering.
The ABC's charter requires it to broadcast programs that contribute to a sense of national identity and reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community.
Our one truly indigenous national game – Australian Football – is a particularly important part of South Australia's and Australia's culture, within which the SANFL competition is a cornerstone.
As South Australian fans tune into this weekend's latest instalment of gripping SANFL finals action, we can hopefully do so in anticipation of even more to come next year. Long may it be so.

[StrayDog]

^^

Hear hear!