Please explain 2011 TV to me

[Primmy]

I just don't understand the TV situation for 2011. Are they just going to play the top games on FTA and everything else on pay? Does that mean if you can't afford pay TV, then you can't watch Swans games anymore? Anyone?

[ScottH]

The TV schedule is already fixed for 2011.
What they have been talking about is allowing FOX to bid for the top rating games(e. ANZAC day Pies v Ess), which have always been on FTA.
Thus we will see more Swans games on FTA.

[royboy42]

I don't get the bits about the AFL and TV deciding which 2 are the top games (from 2012).
These will be on FTA Fri and Sat nights according to the AFL website.
Are they determined at the start of the season, or on a week by week basis as in the NRL?
If the latter, the draw at season start is meaningless, as I see it.

Any thoughts?

[Primmy]

Thanks Scott, clear as...

RoyBoy, I think most of the Top games have been set over 150 years of VFL, no matter what we up here think.

[Swanner]

all i know is as sydney based fan i better not miss an away match on tv! if they try it on i wil be pretty miffed with the afl

[aardvark]

I can remember as a small lad religiously watching Footy Replay hoping for a glimpse of the Swannies. About twice a season I was rewarded with 15 minutes of the last quarter while the "BIG" Melbourne teams were on nearly every week. How times have changed.

[aardvark]

I just don't understand the TV situation for 2011. Are they just going to play the top games on FTA and everything else on pay? Does that mean if you can't afford pay TV, then you can't watch Swans games anymore? Anyone?

Primmy make friends with someone with Foxtel. Its worth it.

[AnnieH]

You can come to my place to watch Primmy ... that's when we're not at the Alexandria for away games.

(Hey, I could even pick you up and take you with us to the Alexandria!!)

[royboy42]

Thanks Scott, clear as...

RoyBoy, I think most of the Top games have been set over 150 years of VFL, no matter what we up here think.

Let me explain more clearly what I mean Prim.
The season is currently set in stone ,bar round 22, at the start of each season. The AFL wants the two best games on FTA on Fri and Sat nights from 2012.
I'm asking if they try to establish this at the start of the season i.e. let's say the two GF teams from the previous year are planned for a Sat night in July. However they are having dreadful seasons and are mid to bottom of the ladder by July.
Does the AFL then say they do not play at peak time on Sat night but Sun afternoon and the 2 current blockbuster teams' game goes to Sat night?
I ask for the supporters of teams who organise their lives around the time of their team's matches for a 6 month period, esp interstate games where people buy plane tickets and organise accom etc.
Or does the AFL imitate the NRL and assign the time of each game in the round a cpouple of weeks prior to that round?

[CureTheSane]

all i know is as sydney based fan i better not miss an away match on tv! if they try it on i wil be pretty miffed with the afl

If you mean FTA TV, then be prepared - it will happen.

[2005magicmoment]

Let me explain more clearly what I mean Prim.
The season is currently set in stone ,bar round 22, at the start of each season. The AFL wants the two best games on FTA on Fri and Sat nights from 2012.
I'm asking if they try to establish this at the start of the season i.e. let's say the two GF teams from the previous year are planned for a Sat night in July. However they are having dreadful seasons and are mid to bottom of the ladder by July.
Does the AFL then say they do not play at peak time on Sat night but Sun afternoon and the 2 current blockbuster teams' game goes to Sat night?
I ask for the supporters of teams who organise their lives around the time of their team's matches for a 6 month period, esp interstate games where people buy plane tickets and organise accom etc.
Or does the AFL imitate the NRL and assign the time of each game in the round a cpouple of weeks prior to that round?

Well the situation remains fluid regarding NSW/QLD tv rights regarding the Swans and GWS but how i understand it is that Free TV will get the two best games on Fri and Sat Night. Of course what constitutes best is hard to determine. The AFL have stated that they like the predictability of the fixed draw as it allows fans to plan interstate game travel. So it won't be the rolling draw that the NRL have. That means the AFL will probably schedule the two best games as being the preseason favourites and if your team is a surprise packet - Sydney or Freo this year, you probably would have to resort to pay tv.

From what i have read Pay TV will be able to negotiate directly with the AFL instead of being a consortium of the FTA channels for five games per round from 2012, so in theory Foxtel could broadcast the 3rd-7th best games of the round due to their economic capacity to pay vs FTA. However the AFL if they were wise, should let FTA have the 1st, 2nd (as by law), 5th and 6th best games per round to maximise viewer coverage and dollars.

[jono2707]

I guess GWS will further muddy things in 2012 - will we be guaranteed 2 x Sydney teams on FTA each week? Start saving for Foxtel kids - I think it's worth it anyway