Rob's Thoughts

AFANA contacted FSI management as recently as Friday, 19 March and this time they chose not to respond.  However, their most recent response did not indicate an agreement was likely.  A source which has requested anonymity told us on 9 March that "Foster's declined           [sponsorship] this year because it thought the [FOX Sports World] audience was too small for [Foster's] to support it... they [AFL] wanted a single big advertiser."  This is very similar to the issues surrounding Foster's from last season.  The source also told AFANA that FOX Sports World (FSWLD) management will not sign a contract for Australian football without a sponsor already lined up and FSI feels it does not have to program the AFL products on their networks if they don't have a sponsor.  The announcement of the featured matches for Round 1 was received today, 23 March by AFANA, and it is no longer "Foster's Aussie Rules" but "Toyota Aussie Rules".

FOX Sports World Canada (FSWC) confirmed to AFANA on 19 March that they were still seriously interested in airing the sport.  Christopher Rowe of FSWC told us, in part:  "I understand you and your fans are starting to get a little anxious.  We are still confident, however, that we will be broadcasting the AFL.  Unfortunately, the cost of delivery is still an issue, so we haven't confirmed anything as yet.  But again, we are hopeful that we'll be able [air] this league."  A Canadian fan was told something similar by the program manager:  "We are currently negotiating for a renewal and are optimistic we will be successful. ... I do agree that Aussie Rules is an exciting sport and we will do our best to improve our coverage."  The April schedules for FSWC do not list Aussie rules.  Most curiously however, fan P.S. in Winnipeg noted this on Monday, 22 March:  "I was watching a soccer match on Fox Sports World Canada this afternoon and they started to overlay one of their tickers at the bottom of the screen...  in addition to a couple soccer matches and rugby matches listed, there was this one interesting entry: 'Aussie Rules Football Richmond vs. Collingwood Friday March 26th'. Also, FSWC has begun airing some Aussie Rules commercials between shows."  It's AFANA's assessment that coverage in Canada is unlikely unless there is coverage in the USA.  But read on...

MHz Networks (WNVC, Washington DC metro area) has also remained very positive.  Their viewer newsletter issued on Monday did not indicate coverage was imminent.  However, we received this from the AFL's broadcast coordinator yesterday:  "we have made an arrangement with WNVC whereby they will be taking the 50 min and 98 min highlights programs, to be shown at the following times: 

This is an interim measure while we work out a deal for the whole season."  This is potentially good news for those in metro Washington, D.C. and perhaps eventually in Canada.  We awaiting confirmation of this directly from MHz.

In conclusion, AFANA now believes that coverage on FSWLD and FSWC this season are increasingly unlikely.  Accordingly, we are actively examining other options which we will detail in a newsletter very soon.  Until then, fans should continue to follow our advice below and lobby FOX and the AFL.  We cannot afford to let up pressure if we want coverage.  If the AFL or FSI think they are off the hook, then we have lost the battle.  

The key consideration is time.  Most networks do their forward schedule planning anywhere from 8 to 13 weeks in advance.  With the AFL season starting in just days away the situation is now critical if we don't want to lose any of this season's TV coverage.  It is important for fans to begin to make their voices heard.  We've given the AFL and FSI time to find a solution.   AFANA's officer's are working behind the scenes to find a home for footy where and when it seems appropriate for us to do so.  We remain optimistic that a home for footy can be found but fans should expect it is going to be difficult and they will need to help.

We recommend that fans do the following: 

a.)  Contact FOX Sports World and let them know you want footy back.
b.)  Contact the AFL and let them know fans in the US and Canada want their footy in 2004!

To make things easier we have a new contact page with all the info you need to do this (opens in a separate window):

http://www.afana.com/2004contacts.shtml

Please copy (cc:) AFANA on your e-mail messages and send us copies of any responses.  This is very important so that we can coordinate everyone's actions and narrow our focus as we go forward.  It also helps us identify if broadcasters or the AFL are giving out different stories to different fans.

Please be courteous and polite in any messages.  We encourage you to contact at least one network each week from this time forward. 

AFANA continues to work to seek restoration of the coverage for the 2004 season.  Our staff, both here and in Australia, considers this our top priority.  We've been here several times before and you can count on AFANA to keep you informed.
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Closing comment:  After nine years of fighting for improved TV coverage it is remarkable how similar things are now to the way they were in year one.  Once again we are dealing with shortcomings at the AFL, an arrogant network more than willing to blame the audience for their problems than themselves, and a general lack of cooperation from either with AFANA or anyone else.  

What is also the same is the incredible loyalty of the footy fans in North America.  After so many years of getting ignored by the AFL, trashed by the networks, and endlessly screaming for their favorite sport, you might think they would give up.  Not in the least.  This season has seen the biggest response by fans to the call to arms since 1996.  Hundreds of fans have contacted the AFL and FOX Sports International and begged for their footy.  

I remain cautiously optimistic in the face of the arrogance of FOX Sports, that we will succeed.  We will get our footy in 2004!

-Rob (who is inspired by his fellow footy fans!)