Hi all,
In advance of a TV newsletter now in preparation (sign up here), I wanted to post a brief update on the TV coverage situation north of the Rio Grande.
Last month, AFANA was able to confirm from FOX Sports World Canada and from MHz Networks (Washington DC metro area) that those networks planned on carrying the sport again this season. More curiously however, we were told by FOX Sports World US that they would be making that decision "in a few weeks".
Curious because, one would assume that FSWC and MHz would not be sure of their position unless FOX Sports International (FSI), parent of FOX Sports World and international rights holder for the sport, had assured those networks of a source for the coverage at a reasonable cost. That in turn would mean that some US network was going to carry the sport.
As of today, FOX Sports World has yet to make a decision and AFANA is officially very concerned. FSWLD has indicated that a decision is still a "few weeks" away. The AFL season gets underway in just over six weeks. Most TV networks are well past the point of planning their coverage for early April. Should FSWLD US decline to carry the sport, something AFANA has felt for some time was a real possibility, it will be very difficult to get another network in place in time. FSI knows that and has a conflict in interest in resolving it. To get coverage elsewhere might mean giving the coverage to a competitor or demanding a rights fee far in excess of that justified. In turn, coverage on FOX affiliated networks around the world is in danger if FSWLD US drops the sport.
So far, the AFL has had little to say on the issue besides telling us we would be informed when the situation changes. That's not much assurance given past history on this issue. We'll keep asking and our inquiries will become more pointed in very near future.
AFANA will continue to follow this issue with our usual dogged determination and will keep all of you informed.
-Rob (who has a sense of dejá vú about all this...)
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