10 pushes for twilight Grand Final

[goswannie14]

Well we al knew it would come eventually, but 10 is pushing the AFL for a twilight (5.00 pm) Grand Final.

Source

[hammo]

I am very disappointed to here this. I hope the AFL stands firm but am not very confident about it.

In my view the NRL grand final has lost some of its appeal because its at night.

And remember the FA Cup final is played at daytime, if the AFL wants a precedent.

[ScottH]

It's save me getting to the ground at 5am.

[reigning premier]

I'm not much for tradition to be honest.....

But the afternoon GF should stay at that. This crap about night and twilight games is just that, Crap....

3pm is a great time. After a BBQ and a few beers... And before another BBQ and many more beers....

You know it makes sense.....

[Damien]

I love day grand finals, but if the AFL wants to keep charging $780 Million plus for rights, they need to offer a prime time carrot.

The Twilight option seems like a reasonable compromise - even though 3.30 or 4 would be my preferred. Waiting to 5pm would be hell for nerves (and the liver!)

[j s]

The biggest downside is that it would mean NO PLAYER APPEARANCE at any aftermatch, probably no aftermatch function at all except the highly expensive dinners.

From the fans viewpoint a late GF would be a complete disaster.

The GF already gets the highest ratings each year - why does TEN want to rock the boat?

[NMWBloods]

I think anything apart from what we currently have for the GF would suck.

[Damien]

The biggest downside is that it would mean NO PLAYER APPEARANCE at any aftermatch, probably no aftermatch function at all except the highly expensive dinners.

From the fans viewpoint a late GF would be a complete disaster.

The GF already gets the highest ratings each year - why does TEN want to rock the boat?

The twilight would help that - they would still have time for Punt Road etc plus the dinner. Any starts after 5, would kill it though.

The reason they want it is that there are generally more available viewers after 5pm, and they would most likely get bigger northern state ratings if played in prime time. Prime time ratings count for more in terms of advertiser prices, and the end of year averages.

BTW I would rather it stay in the afternoon, but I don't think the world would cave in if it moved to twilight. I am very opposed to a night game however.

[reigning premier]

I love day grand finals, but if the AFL wants to keep charging $780 Million plus for rights, they need to offer a prime time carrot.

The Twilight option seems like a reasonable compromise - even though 3.30 or 4 would be my preferred. Waiting to 5pm would be hell for nerves (and the liver!)

What a load of bollocks......

If anything, TV networks would want to keep it in non prime time slots so they get an additional prime time slot.

Regardless of when they play it, the audience will vary little. It will stilll be the biggest sporting event of the year, day or night.

[hammo]

I love day grand finals, but if the AFL wants to keep charging $780 Million plus for rights, they need to offer a prime time carrot.

This argument is constantly trotted out but the reality is the networks themselves set this price during the competitive bidding process, not the AFL.

The AFL still controls the game. Sure there are certain changes to accomodate the broadcasters (e.g Sunday twighlight games) but the grand final will be shown on TV regardless of when its played. I can't imagine 10 or 7 walking away from the broadcasting rights just because they can't show the grand final in prime time.

[NMWBloods]

This argument is constantly trotted out but the reality is the networks themselves set this price during the competitive bidding process, not the AFL.

The AFL still controls the game. Sure there are certain changes to accomodate the broadcasters (e.g Sunday twighlight games) but the grand final will be shown on TV regardless of when its played. I can't imagine 10 or 7 walking away from the broadcasting rights just because they can't show the grand final in prime time.

Yep. The TV deal is done so why would you change the offering after the deal is finalised.

[Damien]

This argument is constantly trotted out but the reality is the networks themselves set this price during the competitive bidding process, not the AFL.

The AFL still controls the game. Sure there are certain changes to accomodate the broadcasters (e.g Sunday twighlight games) but the grand final will be shown on TV regardless of when its played. I can't imagine 10 or 7 walking away from the broadcasting rights just because they can't show the grand final in prime time.

There wont be walking away, but the reality for the AFL in the next set of rights is that they will not be dealing with Kerry Packer, who chose to offer something that was way beyond what the rights were worth. I can't imagine the penny pinching PBL Media to have the same leniency with funds just to prove a point with 7.

I would expect the networks next time to be asking for a lot in return. Flexible rosters (more like NRL), perhaps a twilight game on Saturday's also and I can imagine a guarantee that all finals are at night/twilight also would be part of it.

Everything so far has panned out very well for the AFL, they have managed to remain the balance of power with TV for a long time, but it can't last forever.

[Damien]

Yep. The TV deal is done so why would you change the offering after the deal is finalised.

From what I have been told, 7 and 10 are struggling early with financial gains from football and there hasn't been clear flow on benefits yet (9 had similiar problems in 2002), I think there is a genuine fear at the AFL that a lack of flexibility from them will see the networks submit lower bids next time around.

[BeeEmmAre]

No, No, @@@@ing No!!!!

[Zlatorog]

Viewers in Europe will definitely like it. I don't mind if it's moved for a couple of hours, but I would be against the night game.