AFANA Footy BBS

Well, the new Telstra AFL web site has been launched. And if I understand it correctly this year you will have to pay again to get the audio broadcast of the AFL.

For about $50.00 AUS dollars you get the audio broadcasts and the complete game video of your favorite club's match each week beginning 24 hours after it's completion. For $10.00 more you can add two add more teams.

I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about this.

New official AFL web site

> Well, the new Telstra AFL web site has been launched. And if I understand
> it correctly this year you will have to pay again to get the audio
> broadcast of the AFL.

> For about $50.00 AUS dollars you get the audio broadcasts and the
> complete game video of your favorite club's match each week beginning 24
> hours after it's completion. For $10.00 more you can add two add more
> teams.

> I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about this.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for posting this.... and I can't say what I really think about this because this is a family friendly board

Not only do I think the price is unreasonable (the AFL's last pay for audio scheme couldn't generate enough paying subscribers to support itself -- and compare the AFL price to that for US baseball's audio service). I'm wondering how many people, even with broadband connections are going to watch 80 or more minutes of video online?

Once again, I am at a loss to understand what they are thinking. One more note: they have yet to issue a press release or any public explanation other than the web site of this new scheme.

Regards,

Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFL Subscription page

The new website is so badly organised that I would never have found a working link if it were not for the link you provided. Thanks.

However, what I found is exceptionally disappointing...and they want us to pay for it. In the context of growing the game, prioritising the commercialisation of the site appears to be a shortsighted strategy. The new TV deal has given the game a dollar boost, so surely fans (especially isolated fans) should get a better deal, not worse.

I have already sent my comments to the AFL and would encourage others to do so.

The mail link is general@afl.com.au

> Well, the new Telstra AFL web site has been launched. And if I understand
> it correctly this year you will have to pay again to get the audio
> broadcast of the AFL.

> For about $50.00 AUS dollars you get the audio broadcasts and the
> complete game video of your favorite club's match each week beginning 24
> hours after it's completion. For $10.00 more you can add two add more
> teams.

> I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about this.

I tried reading what's on the AFL site and got mightily confused, not to mention a headache. Does this mean there are no live webcasts of the footy matches? And does it also mean unless one ponies up for adding two more teams, you can only listen to the one you pay for, and can't move from one match to another to another?
I was a member of the Premiers Club a couple of years back, and didn't feel then like I got my money's worth. Those who were in it know what I'm on about - dropped links, links going bad in the middle of a match, etc.

> Well, the new Telstra AFL web site has been launched. And if I understand
//
> I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about this.

I don't much care for the site it is a real dog to try to load.

I'm begining to think that the AFL is on a campaign to drive the fans off.

First Waverley,

Then Colonial,

Then The new TV deal, which means I get less footy and at a poorer quality than previouse years,

And now this damned new web site, as if the last upgrade wasn't bad-enough, they pull this woeful stunt.

The AFL commision and board needs be swept clean.

> I tried reading what's on the AFL site and got mightily confused, not to
> mention a headache. Does this mean there are no live webcasts of the footy
> matches? And does it also mean unless one ponies up for adding two more
> teams, you can only listen to the one you pay for, and can't move from one
> match to another to another?

Yep, it's definitely hard to figure out. There aren't live video webcasts but I think the audio (radio) will be live. And yes, so far as I can figure it, you get one club for the basic price and up to two more for more dollars. That probably means you can only move between matches of clubs you have paid for.

> I was a member of the Premiers Club a couple of years back, and didn't
> feel then like I got my money's worth. Those who were in it know what I'm
> on about - dropped links, links going bad in the middle of a match, etc.

The concept here is horribly conceived. It seems to be that the result of that exercise was so few subscribers that the concept failed. This offer seems worse and the result is likely to be the same.

In any case, none of this is based on anything official from Telstra or the AFL... maybe we'll get something this week.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFL Subscription page

Hi folks,

Well, we have a bit more information now posted at the AFL web site, here's an excerpt and you see if you can figure things out:
---------
Q: What is the AFL website product?
A: The AFL website at afl.com.au will be the official site for the Australian
Football League (AFL). The product is based around the central AFL portal
with sixteen sites for the AFL clubs. The site is developed, operated and
maintained by Telstra for the AFL. The AFL website will offer the customer a
choice of freely available content to all Internet users and subscription
packages with premium content, video, audio, news and chat options.

Q: What subscription choices are available to the subscriber?
A: Subscription packages include the following:
The Legend Package is $49.95 for a one (1) calender year subscription.
It includes:
· Watch all matches, complete or in part, when the customer wants to
· Listen to live radio broadcasts
· Watch footage from year's gone by
· Chat with AFL players and coaches
· View and listen to behind the scenes coverage
· Receive up to the minute news and information before everyone else

The Rookie Club Package is $19.95 for a one (1) calender year subscription.
This package gives the subscriber access to exclusive information and
activities for their selected club.
It includes:
· View and listen to behind the scenes video coverage
· Chat with AFL players and coaches
· Enter member only competitions with spectacular prizes
· Receive up to the minute news and information before everyone else

In either package, the customer may nominate up to two secondary clubs, at
an additional cost of $9.95 per club.

Q: How do I access the site?
A: In order to access the AFL website, go to http://afl.com.au. You will be able
to view most content, however to enjoy the full offering, you will need to
subscribe to one of the AFL packages available at the site. Customers are
able to subscribe online and immediately view content which is 'subscriber
only' content.

Q: Can I use my subscription from more than one computer?
A: You are able to use your telstra.com/AFL username and password to login
from any compatible computer with access to the Internet.
Please note, customers who subscribe to the AFL website will be able to use
their username & password to access telstra.com.

Q: What does the lock symbol mean?
A: This indicates that the content is available to subscribers only. If you are a
subscriber then login using your username and password to access this
content. If you are not a subscriber you will need to subscribe at the AFL site
to view the content.

Q: Can I use my subscription straight away?
A: Once your credit card or billing details has been validated online during the
subscription process, you will have access to your nominated AFL website
subscriber content.

OPTIONS

Q: What is the difference between a Rookie and a Legend package?
A: The Rookie Package gives you access to online content for your chosen
Club (or Clubs).
The Legend Package gives you access to exclusive AFL audio & video content
in addition to the content in the Rookie Package. For more details on the
content in each package go to www.afl.com.au. The Legends package costs
$49.95 per year and is accessible to customers with a Broadband connection
available at 256kbs or narrowband connection at 56kbs.
The Rookie package costs $19.95 and is accessible to customers with a
broadband and narrow band connection to the Internet.
Each package applies for one nominated AFL club. You can add up to 2 extra
clubs per subscription for an extra $9.95 per club each year.
Prices are paid for a 12 month period and cannot be paid monthly.

Q: How do I upgrade from a Rookie to a Legend package?
A: Login to the AFL site using your username and password. Go to the
"Manage My Subscription" section. Follow the instructions provided to
upgrade and receive confirmation of upgrade.

Q: Can I downgrade from a Legend to a Rookie package?
A: No, once you have subscribed to the Legend package, you are not able to
downgrade or receive a refund for the difference.

Q: Can I subscribe to more than one club?
A: Both Rookie and Legend subscriptions apply for only one nominates AFL
club. You can add up to 2 extra clubs per subscription for an extra $9.95 per
club each year.
Prices are paid for a 12 month period and cannot be paid monthly.

Q: Can I modify my subscription?
A: Yes, you can add up to 2 additional clubs for $9.95 each or upgrade from
Rookie to Legend. To do this, go to the "Upgrade my Subscription" page for
the AFL site.
These are the only modifications available.

So it appears that to get live radio coverage you must pay. It still is unclear if you are limited to listening to the club(s) you pay to subscribe to. Nor is the video situation clear at all. Sigh

Oh, the contact phone number for inquiries and problems is an Australia only toll free number... useless from the US and Canada. These people just don't get it.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFL Subscription FAQ page

I agree the new wehsite is the pits. As is having to pay to listen to gaems. As a general footy fan, I enjoy listening to various matches, regardless of who is playing. To have to select one club for $50.00 and then pay an extra $10 for 2 more teams is ridiculous. For those of us on limited budgets - $100 or more to be able to choose any given match on any given weekend is too much. Then there is the condideraion of the quality of the connections. Last year was a bit better than before, but I still had the occassional drop out (maybe its my ISP).

As for the the "free" part of the site, it leaves a lot to be desired. Having to click back to the main page for each story rather than having them available via a sidebar (like previous years) is also not ideal. How many fans are going to maybe read one or two and then quit?

Trying to find full match details last weekend was an arduous task to say the
least. And even by late Sunday, details such as BOG and injury were still not
complete.

I have said it before and I'll say it again. The AFL gives plenty of lip service to promoting the game overseas but little to no positive actions to do so. IF only Keven Sheedy and Ron Barassi were in charge......

Lisa

> Oh, the contact phone number for inquiries and problems is an Australia
> only toll free number... useless from the US and Canada.

A direct dial number that works, if you need to talk to Telstra about your subscription or the service is: +61-3-9638-0224. Most residents of the US and Canada will need to dial 011 before dialing this number. This is based on my own research and appears to work but it is not "official" information from the AFL or Telstra.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFANA Home Page