Australian Football TV Rights & Death Of Foxtel Thread

[Paul01]

Looks like s*** fight between the A-League clubs and the FFA with the clubs walking out of negotiations.

Get ready for a FIFA clean-out of FFA.

[theguyyouwishyouwere]

[wengerboy]

Looks like cricket is in trouble with nine might not bid, a lot of sponsors have also renegotiated their deals.  The winds have been blowing towards 20/20 for a while now and they cannot ignore it, Test match and one-day are dead.

[SomeGuy1977]

Hmmm...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/channel-seven-to-make-late-move-for-aleague-broadcast-rights-20170516-gw6afa.html

Channel Seven to make late move for A-League broadcast rights

FOLLOW ON TWITTER

The chance of a major free-to-air network purchasing the remaining broadcast rights for the A-League is still alive with Channel Seven looming as a late option to televise the competition next season.

In what appears to be Football Federation Australia's last attempt to directly sell the A-League rights to a major network, Seven is set to return to the negotiating table to challenge ABC and Fox Sports for the last remaining portion of the TV deal.

Fairfax Media understands there is a late push from the network to obtain the free-to-air component of the broadcast rights to televise the Saturday A-League match live, likely on one of its secondary channels. The move comes with the backing of all 10 A-League club owners who are eager to have their games televised on a network for the first time in the competition's history, providing a greater audience reach and promotion for the game.

Senior officials from Seven's management attended the A-League grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory on May 7. 

However, any bid from Seven won't likely come in at the FFA's value of the rights and is all but certain to fall under the current price SBS has paid for the last four years of between $7 million and $9 million. The FFA rejected an initial proposal from Seven early in the sale of the rights but is understood to be open to renegotiating terms. 

Sources suggest the FFA rebuked Seven's original proposal to obtain the A-League rights which included largely a contra deal that offered little cash. Under that earlier proposal, Seven would broadcast the Saturday night game in exchange for significant promotion of the competition. 

 

Should a new agreement be struck between the FFA and Seven, it would likely be for a significantly smaller sum than the governing body's initial asking price. 

It is already braced for a significant drop in the income for the FTA component of the rights, which could yield as little as $2 million in cash each season over the course of the next six years. 

The FFA made a late approach to the ABC to purchase the rights for the A-League knowing it would attract a greater audience than currently on SBS 2. However, significant commercial complications could arise from the game being televised on the public broadcaster which does not show advertisements. 

Should the FFA fail to sell the rights directly to a FTA network, Fox Sports will obtain the rights entirely for as little as an additional $2 million per season, on top of the $57 million it pays as the majority broadcaster on Pay TV. Fox will then on-sell the required FTA component of the deal independently of the FFA. In such an event, a partnership with Channel Ten is the most likely outcome, which will see one A-League game per week televised on the network with the remaining games exclusive to Fox Sports, whose owners Foxtel own 14.9 per cent of Channel Ten. 

Fairfax Media sought comment from the FFA.  ON FACEBOOK

[luisenrique]

I just can't ignore the history with Seven, I feel it's flirting with danger. That too for a low price. But then again if it's the only option...

[btron3000]

50 minutes ago, luisenrique said:

I just can't ignore the history with Seven, I feel it's flirting with danger. That too for a low price. But then again if it's the only option...

Yeah, and not just history - the AFL still rules that station. And there is already a game on each night on its 7mate station in Sydney (regular channel 7 in melb so guessing the same in Adelaide, Perth), so just how low do we drop - whatever 7's third channel is? Can't see them doing too much spruiking of that.

[Gazmon]

Just chuck it on an A-League App and stream 1-free game a week or something. *shrugs*

Worth a try... 

[btron3000]

30 minutes ago, Gazmon said:

Just chuck it on an A-League App and stream 1-free game a week or something. *shrugs*

Worth a try... 

Yeah if they're not going to get any money or publicity from 7 then they might as well try their own thing and aim at those millions of kids that play the game but don't attend. Kids aren't paying for a Foxtel licence but they're the first ones to stream something and educate their parents on how to do it for free.

[luisenrique]

11 hours ago, btron3000 said:

Yeah, and not just history - the AFL still rules that station. And there is already a game on each night on its 7mate station in Sydney (regular channel 7 in melb so guessing the same in Adelaide, Perth), so just how low do we drop - whatever 7's third channel is? Can't see them doing too much spruiking of that.

Yeah, with people like that ****wit Kosh pulling strings there, it would be crazy to let them have any control over the league. 

[Generator]

I realise I'm asking a question that has probably been answered many times in this thread, but what's the deal with the online/mobile rights for the A-League? And the W-League?

 

Given the AFL, NRL and Netball all have Telstra-supported apps to live stream every game, I'm wondering what's stopping Foxtel/Telstra releasing something for the A-League. Something in the broadcast rights around online and mobile streaming? Business case doesn't stack up?

 

The apps are fantastic, so the sooner something can be organised for the A-League, the better. It'd be great to see something similar for the W-League, too, even if it just a glorified amateur feed similar to what many state league teams stream via their websites.

[mack]

13 minutes ago, Generator said:

I realise I'm asking a question that has probably been answered many times in this thread, but what's the deal with the online/mobile rights for the A-League? And the W-League?

Given the AFL, NRL and Netball all have Telstra-supported apps to live stream every game, I'm wondering what's stopping Foxtel/Telstra releasing something for the A-League. Something in the broadcast rights around online and mobile streaming? Business case doesn't stack up?

The apps are fantastic, so the sooner something can be organised for the A-League, the better. It'd be great to see something similar for the W-League, too, even if it just a glorified amateur feed similar to what many state league teams stream via their websites.

The broadcast rights for AFL, Super Rugby, NRL & the A-League allow the broadcast owner to live stream games on their own apps for their customers. Hence why I can watch A-League, NRL, AFL and Super Rugby on Foxtel Go, and why when SBS had A-League rights, they could stream games on their website.

Digital rights are separate from the broadcast rights.

Telstra's digital rights for AFL & NRL are intended for people without Foxtel so they can buy an online streaming pass rather than buying Foxtel.

The previous A-League broadcast deal as far as I can tell, only sold international digital rights (to World Sports Group) in the last rights deal, and did not separate the Australian digital rights from the Australian broadcast deal, so Foxtel was the only 'authorised' company for digital streaming of A-League games. 

The new rights deal does separate broadcast & digital, but the digital rights have not been sold yet. I would assume the FFA are in discussion with Telstra, Optus, and may have reached out to Netflix and looked to see how streaming there might work.

[Generator]

Awesome, thanks for that! Hopefully we see a decent outcome for the digital rights.

[mack]

Digital rights will be minuscule for the A-League. NRL digital rights were costed at $90 million over 6 years ($15 million per year) but that also includes the naming rights sponsorship to the entire competition. The A-League naming rights appears to be worth about $3.3 million per year.

I doubt the A-League digital rights alone would be worth more than 3 million per year at the highest, and even that feels a bit too high considering that would be a combined (Digital + Naming Rights) $6.6 million per year compared to NRL's $15 million per year. I think it'll be lucky to reach $2.3 million (thus taking the overall rights deal to $60 million per year). Knowing FFA & Gallop I wouldn't be shocked if they just sell the thing for 10 years to secure more cash to try and get the owners onside.

[FCWanderers]

Free kick for Ten coverage as ABC likely to be booted

DARREN DAVIDSON Media Editor

Ten Network is poised to snatch A-League and Socceroos matches from SBS if no more bidders come forward before a formal deadline this week, dealing a blow to the ABC’s hopes of gaining the television rights.

While Football Federation Australia and its adviser Adara Partner held talks with the ABC, it’s understood soccer administrators will knock back the public broadcaster’s bid.

It’s believed Seven West Media, Nine Entertainment Company, and SBS have not yet lodged an official bid with the FFA. The deadline falls on Wednesday.

The FFA is also set to reject other bids for rights. At least one telco is said to have expressed interest in buying streaming rights. The FFA declined to comment.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/free-kick-for-ten-coverage-as-abc-likely-to-be-booted/news-story/c2d43cf3e958b3e422cfb9e04d76a6c1

[mack]

Channel 10 is the least evil option.

[Neverbloom]

1 hour ago, mack said:

Channel 10 is the least evil option.

considering the recent terror attack they just had to mention that he was a "sokkah" fan because that is relevant but i agree with the post they are still the least evil option which is really saying a lot

[luisenrique]

They have the least vested interests in our competitors, so yeah, they're the best of a bad bunch.

[Paul01]

4 hours ago, luisenrique said:

They have the least vested interests in our competitors, so yeah, they're the best of a bad bunch.

Especially if they lose the BBL

[Erebus]

Sell the FTA TV to a commercial broadcaster and sell the streaming rights to someone else. It just widens the reach and appeal.

The more people that have access to the League via a variety of methods and platforms can only be a good thing.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Erebus

[FCWanderers]

BUSINESS

Telstra inks production deal with Fox Sports across 29 stadiums.

By Max Mason

May 29 2017 - 12:00AM

Telstra has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Fox Sports to help centralise production of live sports television coverage across 29 Australian stadiums to bases in Sydney and Melbourne.

The new partnership, to be announced on Monday, will see the lion's share of production work shift to two new remote production hubs in Sydney and Melbourne, owned by Fox Sports' production partner NEP, rather than being done on site in large production trucks, which are typically expensive assets, roughly $10 million to $15 million each.

Raw camera feeds, audio and equipment control signals will be sent to those new production hubs via Telstra's Distributed Production Network, which will have a standard capacity of 100 gigabits per second in each venue.

The agreement includes all major rectangular and oval stadiums across Australia, including the SCG, MCG, WACA Oval, GABBA, Etihad, Adelaide Oval, Suncorp Stadium, Allianz, ANZ Stadium and AAMI Park.

https://amp.afr.com/business/media-and-marketing/tv/telstra-inks-production-deal-with-fox-sports-across-29-stadiums-20170528-gwer0x

Telstra and its broadcasting partners are creating the sports broadcasting equivalent of centralized 'bunkers' in Sydney and Melbourne. 

[Burgerman]

FFA was always going to give the TV rights to Ten as it is a Murdoch part owned channel and a mates rates we bend over for foxtel deal.

[KGee]

12 hours ago, FCWanderers said:

Free kick for Ten coverage as ABC likely to be booted

DARREN DAVIDSON Media Editor

Ten Network is poised to snatch A-League and Socceroos matches from SBS if no more bidders come forward before a formal deadline this week, dealing a blow to the ABC’s hopes of gaining the television rights.

While Football Federation Australia and its adviser Adara Partner held talks with the ABC, it’s understood soccer administrators will knock back the public broadcaster’s bid.

It’s believed Seven West Media, Nine Entertainment Company, and SBS have not yet lodged an official bid with the FFA. The deadline falls on Wednesday.

The FFA is also set to reject other bids for rights. At least one telco is said to have expressed interest in buying streaming rights. The FFA declined to comment.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/free-kick-for-ten-coverage-as-abc-likely-to-be-booted/news-story/c2d43cf3e958b3e422cfb9e04d76a6c1

Bet it was Optus so they can compliment or expand their football presence and deal a bigger blow to Foxtel as more may turn off if they had the tandem of EPL and A-League.  Foxtel probably leaning on them not to allow this as they probably don't want anyone streaming at all.  Flops.

[Erebus]

foxtel want the streaming rights of below SD quality and pathetic framerates

[mack]

Foxtel might be upgrading their streaming to "HD" by the time the new A-League season rolls around.

[matty]

I'd take any type of streaming service. Drop Foxtel in a second (probably why it won't happen) 

[mack]

https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/ten-secure-fta-tv-rights---report-463802

Channel 10 "wins". No figures given.

[Paul01]

34 minutes ago, mack said:

https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/ten-secure-fta-tv-rights---report-463802

Channel 10 "wins". No figures given.

Simulcast music the my ears.

scheduling is still a question mark.

obviously no more BBL on Channel 10

[Paul01]

From Fox Sports

NETWORK Ten will broadcast A-League and Socceroos matches in a deal agreed with Football Federation Australia and Fox Sports to deliver Australian football to more fans than ever before.

A Saturday night A-League match and all finals clashes will be shown on Network Ten from the start of the 2017-2018 season, as well as Socceroos games once this World Cup Qualifying cycle has ended.

Network Ten’s ‘One’ channel will take a live simulcast of Fox Sports’ 7.30pm Saturday night match next season, meaning the code’s best commentary team featuring the likes of Mark Bosnich, Robbie Slater, Simon Hill, Adam Peacock, Andy Harper and Tara Rushton will deliver their coverage to more fans than in the game’s history.

The deal comes after Fox Sports signed a six-year agreement with the FFA to continue live coverage of every A-League game, along with coverage of the Socceroos, Matildas, W-Leagueand FFA Cup.

“This is a win for football fans and an opportunity for us to showcase our game on a commercial network with a recent history of successfully covering major sport,” said Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop.

“We will take the biggest matches of the Hyundai A League - such as the Saturday night derbies - into every household in Australia live for the first time,” he added.

“It is part of the overall broadcast deal with Fox Sports and means that we will be working with them to drive interest and subscriptions to their ‘all games live’ coverage of the Hyundai A-League.

Fox Sports CEO, Patrick Delaney, FFA CEO, David Gallop and Channel 10 CEO, Paul Anderson announce new FFA free to air TV deal. Picture. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia

“It is terrific to have a new and enthusiastic partner in Network Ten to promote the game.”

Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson, said: “We are very proud to partner with Football Federation Australia and Fox Sports to bring the Hyundai A-League to our viewers on One and tenplay every Saturday night.

“From October this year, 27 home and away Saturday night matches and five finals – plus Socceroos matches from next year – will have a new home on free-to-air television. We will provide a consistent timeslot on One for 30 weeks of the year, promoting the Hyundai A-League and its best game each week to all of Australia.

Fox Sports CEO, Patrick Delaney, FFA CEO, David Gallop and Channel 10 CEO, Paul Anderson announce new FFA free to air TV deal. Picture. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia

“We are looking forward to working with Fox Sports and Football Federation Australia to broadcast the Hyundai A-League to our viewers live on One and live streamed on tenplay.”

Fox Sports CEO, Patrick Delany said: “This is a great result for football fans in Australia. The arrangement between Fox Sports and Network Ten will ensure more fans than ever before get to watch the best Australian footballers in action every week.

“A prime-time Saturday night A-League match on free-to-air, featuring Fox Sports’ expert commentators and world class production, will help grow the game and build football for long-term success.”

 

[Unlimited]

Great step in the right direction with the premiere fixture in each round on FTA

 

if it's on One, then the BBL can still be on Ten but hey who's complaining?

[mack]

$2 million per year for 2 years. On a secondary channel. Meh.