If you don't want to know the scores, look away now

[spell_check]

Who misses those days? I do. You might have thought, like I did, when it was announced that Foxtel would get a dedicated football channel as part of the new TV deal in 2001, it would be a pinnacle in coverage of the AFL. And it was. The following year we even got Fox Footy Extra, which showed quite a bit of old SANFL stuff. They also replayed the previous weeks SANFL match on the Friday night. Then that went; and so did Fox Footy Channel. And then along came the telecasting of the match involving Crows or Power on two different channels at the same time.

I also feel that Bruce and Dennis once Channel 7 got the rights again have tried to spice it up too much. In the 90s and up to 2001, they basically called the game. Only now and then did Bruce add his "clever" and "special" calls, and so often did Dennis add his "Commetti-isms". Personally, I also miss the calls of Ian Robertson, who never seemed to have any traits other than to call the game.

And for those who only have free-to-air, how annoying is it when Channel 7 during their much maligned delayed telecasts continue to show the telecast after a goal is scored, only to go to the commercial/s just before the ball is bounced in the middle again? What will come next - 30 minute half time breaks to show more ads in?

This is my take on what seems to be a growing number of disgruntled TV viewers with the networks - or should I say Foxtel and Channel 7.

[GWW]

Ian Robertson and Peter McKenna were both good commentators at ch 7, but they also had some commentators, who lacked any real knowledge of football - Sandy Roberts, Drew Morphett and Peter Landy. Then there was Don Scott who despite being a great player, had no idea how to commentate on the game, or to make any sense at all whatsoever.

Overall I think the quality of the commentators is possibly better now, although I would agree ch 7 coverage in the 90's had quite a lot of positives.

VFL telecasts in the early 80's on the ABC, known as THE WINNERS, was probably the best coverage of Victorian footy however. Coincidentally it was the best era of SANFL footy shown on tv with 7's BIG REPLAY with Peter Marker, Ian Day, David Darcy, Bruce McAvaney etc.

[the big bang]

the biggest problem i have is Ch 10 and One showing the same game at the same time. as if they're going up against each other! as was the case last saturday night with the crows/saints match while i had to stay up till 2:30am if i wanted to watch the lions/pies game.

[Rik E Boy]

Agree with that purple rain. I want to know why I can't watch any match live even though I have Fox. Every now and then the Sunday afternoon game falls into 'the dead zone'. I couldn't watch Carlton v Port the other week because Fox and Seven showed the same match. Had to wait until 7.30 and by then I knew the result and I couldn't be arsed watching it then.

regards,

REB

[Drop Bear]

Exactly boys. Well said.

I thought One had finally smartened up last Saturday, when I noticed in the TV guide they had Port v Richmond on Ten, and then Geelong v Melbourne on One. Excellent, two games of footy, but alas, they showed the Port game on both channels. Surprise surprise!!

Then yesterday, I was settling in for the Lions v Collingwood replay as advertised, when they ended up showing Port v St Kilda from Round 5. Are you ******* kidding me?!!!!

[jointman]

Agree with that purple rain. I want to know why I can't watch any match live even though I have Fox. Every now and then the Sunday afternoon game falls into 'the dead zone'. I couldn't watch Carlton v Port the other week because Fox and Seven showed the same match. Had to wait until 7.30 and by then I knew the result and I couldn't be arsed watching it then.

regards,

REB

10 has the rights for the game,they get fox to do it,thats why its shown both channels

[the big bang]

Agree with that purple rain. I want to know why I can't watch any match live even though I have Fox. Every now and then the Sunday afternoon game falls into 'the dead zone'. I couldn't watch Carlton v Port the other week because Fox and Seven showed the same match. Had to wait until 7.30 and by then I knew the result and I couldn't be arsed watching it then.

regards,

REB

10 has the rights for the game,they get fox to do it,thats why its shown both channels

it dosn't bother me that FOX and 10 show the same game, but when 10 and One show the same game, as they're pretty much the same channel, it's just stupid.

[westozfalcon]

I also feel that Bruce and Dennis once Channel 7 got the rights again have tried to spice it up too much. In the 90s and up to 2001, they basically called the game. Only now and then did Bruce add his "clever" and "special" calls, and so often did Dennis add his "Commetti-isms". Personally, I also miss the calls of Ian Robertson, who never seemed to have any traits other than to call the game.
.

I find it irritating how they turn the Friday match telecasts into cute and cosy, entertainment packages. The commentators (particularly Cometti) continually use the phrase 'Friday night football' as if it is somehow a different product to other footy games.

[White Line Fever]

For my Supercoach, i like to sit on fanfooty etc and keep track of live scores.
It annoys me to no end not having live footy Friday night.
Foxtel usually gets me through the weekend, and i'm hanging for the day ALL footy is foxtel as Ch 7 has made an absolute meal of it!

[Benchwarmer]

Don't worry, you guys have it sweet in SA!!!

The Friday night game has ended by the time WA gets to see it. IIRC, Channel 7 has not shown a single live broadcast of a match into WA since they returned to football broadcasting (Ten shows all the finals so at least we get those games live), plus we get the Saturday games live on Ten/One (yes, one game on two channels at the same time as well!).

We never get to hear the ratings for TV footy in Perth, but I can guarantee that somehow the figures for 7 are inflated on Fridays because I know many people who listen to the ABC Radio coverage and don't bother with 2 1/2 to 3 hour behind coverage by Bwuey and his band of nuffies (Dennis excluded naturally!)

[Brucetiki]

it dosn't bother me that FOX and 10 show the same game, but when 10 and One show the same game, as they're pretty much the same channel, it's just stupid.

The anti-siphoning laws prevent Channel 10 from showing a Premiership season/Finals match on One before it's on 10. Hopefully when the laws are reviewed this will change and we will see (for example), St Kilda v Adelaide on Fox Sports 1/Channel 10 and Brisbane Lions v Collingwood on One.

Ten/One had the ideal set up in the NAB cup (which isn't protected by anti-siphoning legislation) - when Channel 10 had the Crows v Port game on delay (via Fox) then went to Hawthorn v Richmond on delay while One was showing Hawthorn v Richmond live.

[Strawb]

you all love channel 10 for Kelli Underwood

[Adelaide Hawk]

I can't recall the match, but it was about 10 years ago and Channel 7 were in delayed telecast up to 3/4 time. The match was in the balance, only a couple of points in it, and during the break they went to a quick news service which gave the final score. Well done 7