Rob's Thoughts

More Responses to Fan Survey Comments

As with the earlier blog on this subject, I have paraphrased some comments that we have received as part of our survey of US and Canadian based footy fans.   Some humor is intended in these answers.  k?   To my readers:  if you live in the US or Canada and haven't completed the survey do it right now!

Show more Aussie sports [footy, rugby, cricket, etc.] and less soccer!

Sorry, folks but AFANA doesn't do the programming for FOX Sports World or FOX Sports World Canada.  Wish we had more say in that but we don't.  AFANA has no business relationship with FOX Sports whatsoever.  We offer our criticism, compliments, and feedback but there is no guarantee they take them to heart.   Fundamentally FOX Sports World is a soccer network.  Footy and other sports are fill-ins.  

If the Grand Final is live, how come we can't get more live programs or at least get the programs sooner than six days late?

Give me a Fistful of Dollars and you can have live coverage tomorow.  Live coverage of a 2h 30m match runs about US$4000 bare bones.  If we had a $100k per season sponsorship or pay per view revenue or combination thereof we can get it for you very soon.   Even at US$200 per household per season, we would need about 500 subscribers to make pay per view even a concept.  All that said live coverage will happen.  Time is on our side.  

The problem with the 6 3/4 day delay in the coverage has more to do with production and shipping time than anything else.  Then there is the fear factor.  The fear that the tapes won't arrive on time.  In past seasons when the schedule was tighter, FOX found itself without programs too many times.   That's why it was pushed back.  Maybe too far.  

I'd like to see Talking Footy or the Footy Show here.

We get that request a lot and I concur.  It's also something on our "agenda".  More later.

There's nothing in the survey asking about the internet coverage.  I think that's important.

I agree that it's important.  We just couldn't cover everything properly and keep the survey a reasonable length.   We will cover that in a future survey.   Count on it.  

I want to see the Australia vs Ireland series this year.

So do I.  The first thing is we have to convince the AFL to produce programs on the series and second convince FOX Sports World to air them.   Believe it or not, the former might be harder.  It adds production costs to AFL Films that the AFL doesn't want to underwrite.  I suggest you let the AFL know you want to see them.  If they get enough demand, minds might change.

There is too much violence on the programs, particularly in the "Weekly Wrap" and "Top 10".

The issue of whether the TV coverage portrays the sport as too violent has been a running issue for longer than AFANA has been in existence.  I even discussed it with the AFL on my first visit to AFL House in 1996.   We've included a question on that subject in the survey.  I won't say more until the survey is done.

AFANA should become a subcommittee of USFooty.

Based on the feelings of our current and past board of directors I don't see that happening soon.  Nevertheless AFANA and USFooty do communicate at the highest levels and AFANA wants to work closer with USFooty wherever our interests coincide (and they often do).  Keep in mind the organizations have two very different purposes and have very different demographics and memberships.  

Keep those survey responses coming!    Great stuff folks!

-Rob (who is reading every response personally).