ABC TV's coverage of the SANFL in doubt?

[Push in the Back]

being non commercial, since when do the abc give a **** about ratings? they have been about providing a service for as long as i can remember

Spot on mate. They have always fed off the carcass of the big boys and as a result have gone out on their own and uncovered some hidden gems. Without wanting the server to go into breakdown - if womens netball and basketball can find a home on TV, then the second best AFL competition in Australia - MUST survive.

[RB]

Hate to sound pedantic, but the SANFL is a football competition, not an AFL competition.

[bays2011]

Hate to sound pedantic, but the SANFL is a football competition, not an AFL competition.

That is NOT being pedantic!

[Gozu]

Promising news:

TELEVISION coverage of SANFL matches is poised to continue in 2012.

After months of negotiation, SANFL football and corporate operations manager Darren Chandler last night told The Advertiser he hoped a deal with the ABC would be agreed on "in the next few days".

"We've had some positive discussions and we think we're close to reaching an agreement for 2012," he said. "There's still some negotiations to take place but we're getting pretty close, which is good news.

"And obviously we would like to extend any deal further."

It is understood the SANFL has raised the stakes to continue having its State League competition broadcast.

Last year, it paid about $70,000 towards funding the coverage and it has offered considerably more this time, despite its financial troubles.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6274235692

[StrayDog]

being non commercial, since when do the abc give a **** about ratings? they have been about providing a service for as long as i can remember

Fair point in itself. It is true that, strictly speaking, the ABC isn't directly answerable to "market forces" for its keep.

However, ABC board members have been appointed on the recommendation of the government. Anyone that's ever caught a glimpse of Managing Director Mr. Scott in front of the twice-yearly Senate Estimates Committee realises that these gatherings are no proverbial day on the golf course. Scott and his board are answerable for its net expenditure and direction as well as programming and population coverage - the "service" if you will.

As an aside, regular ABC viewers will have noticed the times the ABC have spent the bucks on new drama the eventual premiere is preceded with drawn-out weeks "coming soon" promotion of (to me, irritatingly) high frequency and repetition. Why would that be, if not to increase the audience to better justify the net expenditure and programming direction?



As we've seen in recent times since local sport coverage became an issue, public pressure has done the cause no harm at all. Nor, seemingly, does throwing a few more dollars into the hat, as the ABC have been asking for.

From "SANFL closes in on television deal with ABC" (the link referred by Gozu, above):-

"It is understood the SANFL has raised the stakes to continue having its State League competition broadcast.

Last year, it paid about $70,000 towards funding the coverage and it has offered considerably more this time, despite its financial troubles."

[Hondo]

Further to StrayDog's good post, if the ABC can't justify its programming through ratings they will face pressure about continued funding by the taxpayers. Ratings are just as important if nothing else to show the Government that the funding is being put to good use (ie, people watching).

This comment is separate from the issue of the SANFL coverage. It's a response to the posters saying that ratings don't matter because it is the ABC.

[Wedgie]

Get Foxsports on board and piss off the ABC IMHO.

[Dutchy]

the coverage could be condensed down to a 2 hour package, from 2-30 to 4-30pm, have the first half on delay and then its live from half time. Get rid of the fluffy stuff, intro, boundary riders, use clubs stats, half time coverage of interstate and under 18's. Have 2 commentators, one which can go down on the ground for a quick post game interview and if time permits see the club song.

Surely the above would cut costs for the SANFL/ABC and they must look at this sort of stuff before quitting it all together.

[Columbo]

Get Foxsports on board and piss off the ABC IMHO.

I'm surprised Fox haven't been knocking on the door, although maybe now with the AFL rights they are happy, wonder what may have happened if they missed out there.

[HOORAY PUNT]

Why would Fox broadcast it ?

[Brucetiki]

Get Foxsports on board and piss off the ABC IMHO.

I wonder if ESPN are allowed to broadcast Australian-based sports. If so, might be a bit of a left-field suggestion to pitch it to them. Would be a bit of a coup for them surely.

Perhaps the SANFL, VFL, WAFL and possibly TSL negotiate with ESPN to do a collective arrangement of matches - each week have a Friday night game, a Saturday game, a Saturday night game and Sunday game broadcast by ESPN. Could have a dedicated time slot for each league (but that would restrict what grounds get covered for night games), or rotate it each week so each grounds gets at least 1 ESPN game a season.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Get Foxsports on board and piss off the ABC IMHO.

I'm surprised Fox haven't been knocking on the door, although maybe now with the AFL rights they are happy, wonder what may have happened if they missed out there.

Fox won't be able too keep up with demand with installing new customers now the footy season is nearly upon us.

[Bullitt]

the coverage could be condensed down to a 2 hour package, from 2-30 to 4-30pm, have the first half on delay and then its live from half time. Get rid of the fluffy stuff, intro, boundary riders, use clubs stats, half time coverage of interstate and under 18's. Have 2 commentators, one which can go down on the ground for a quick post game interview and if time permits see the club song.

Surely the above would cut costs for the SANFL/ABC and they must look at this sort of stuff before quitting it all together.

Can not see this saving any money, still need to set up and take down the cameras. Still need all the technical and production staff weather its 2 hours or 2 1/2 hours.

[Dutchy]

the coverage could be condensed down to a 2 hour package, from 2-30 to 4-30pm, have the first half on delay and then its live from half time. Get rid of the fluffy stuff, intro, boundary riders, use clubs stats, half time coverage of interstate and under 18's. Have 2 commentators, one which can go down on the ground for a quick post game interview and if time permits see the club song.

Surely the above would cut costs for the SANFL/ABC and they must look at this sort of stuff before quitting it all together.

Can not see this saving any money, still need to set up and take down the cameras. Still need all the technical and production staff weather its 2 hours or 2 1/2 hours.

Understand that but the infrastructure could also be looked at to save $, the point Im making is Id rather have some coverage than none at all and if it means cutting some of the fluffy bits to make it more attractive to the ABC then they should do it.

[Thiele]

A deal has been done and the Sanfl will sign off on it tomorrow

[mickey]

A deal has been done and the Sanfl will sign off on it tomorrow

Yeah, heard that on 5AA aswell.. Chandler wouldnt say how much extra its going to cost though

[Strawb]

Channel 9 should really look into showing the SANFL. Have it done locally and make sure a game is live on the week ends. It will get people watching SANFL again whilst at their local game and might attract some people back to the SANFL

[GWW]

Channel 9 wouldn't even keep producing a popular show like Postcards, there's little chance they'd invest in showing the SANFL.

[Brucetiki]

Channel 9 should really look into showing the SANFL. Have it done locally and make sure a game is live on the week ends. It will get people watching SANFL again whilst at their local game and might attract some people back to the SANFL

Is there anything local on Channel 9 these days, or is it all done at headquarters in Newcastle...

[Strawb]

Channel 9 should really look into showing the SANFL. Have it done locally and make sure a game is live on the week ends. It will get people watching SANFL again whilst at their local game and might attract some people back to the SANFL

Is there anything local on Channel 9 these days, or is it all done at headquarters in Newcastle...

I forgot Channel 9 there was owned by Newcastle. Kinda sucks because of that.