(Ed. note to web surfers: This discussion thread is dated and most of the information from 2008 no longer applies. For the latest on TV coverage including online see our TV Info page.)
As an australian, and a big Aussie Rules fan... having just moved to the US, I'm keen to find out the ins and outs of downloading full AFL games off the internet... does anyone have any advice etc? would love to know more... cheers.
What you can and can't do
Welcome to afana.com and the USA. You'll find some reports on this site about other fans experiences using the afl.com.au web site. Search for that or "download" or other terms related to this to find these. Beyond that, there isn't much we can tell you.
While I wouldn't suggest that you want to do this, anyone thinking of using tools such as Torrent tools to distribute AFL matches should know that it is likely illegal in both the US and Australia and any such distribution is unauthorized. So, we can't help people do that without making ourselves accessories. It would also irreparably damage our relationships with the AFL, TV networks, DVD manufacturers, and others. All of whom we have to work with in order to get TV coverage of the AFL for fans in the USA and Canada. And our goal is to help fans in any (legal) way we can to get more footy.
We understand why people want to do this. However, we think that with ITVN and Setanta there is minimal reason to do this, and the subscription fee is a lot cheaper than the potential consequences if you do so illegally.
See our FAQ item on this:
http://www.afana.com/drupal/tvfaq#12
See my other comment...
What you can and can't do....
When home video recorders first became available in Oz, we were informed it was illegal to record most TV material with the exception of sporting events, live programming and news etc. This information was also quoted on video cassettes for years. It appears that all changed in 2006....I missed it. I am old school.
Swans500.
Difference between what you do for yourself and downloading
Re: What you can and can't do
However, we think that with ITVN and Setanta...
A word of warning from this Yank Aussie Rules fan. ITVN is about to go belly up. I was a subscriber until 3 weeks ago. Currently they take subscriptions and your money, but do not seem to be shipping boxes. You can't reach them by phone or email. Service has become intermittent.
Unfortunately, Setanta Broadband does not have the IP rights for Aussie footy, so that avenue is closed off. If you can get DirecTV or DishNetwork you're good to go, but the rest of us will just have to cry in our beer(s)--which I am currently doing.
Think I'll have another-----
As noted elsewhere...
See my post on the situation, they are still "on the air" and appear to be at least somewhat alive.
If they fail, then we will be working with Setanta and the AFL on an alternative.
Footy Show
Re: Footy Show: Unlikely
More likely we can get another football related program from Ten, Seven, or Foxtel but at this stage I doubt we'll get it during the first half of 2008, if at all. Sorry.
AFANA knows that some fans want this; we're just think that getting all 8 games each week is a higher priority right now. But we'll pursue it as soon as there is a opening to do so.
Yeah I definitely think the
I like how it's sort of mixture between a late-night talk show, a sports magazine show, and a comedy act. There really isn't a show like that for North American sports.
Will it sell here?
http://www.afana.com/drupal/tvfaq#32
The days when I was the odd American fan among dozens of ex-pat fans of the sport here are gone (which means that AFANA is succeeding, by the way!). Today, over three quarters of the fans are American or Canadian born and that makes it even more unlikely we would go for a humor based show over a purely football based show. It has to be sold to the network as a way to help get subscribers. Thus the Footy Show might work or it might not. To get the network to take the risk I'd have to show that the money risked was offset by the potential viewership gain.
Re: Downloading AFL Games
You can get international access on the AFL website they have full access to games you can watch love stream or replays https://www.watchafl.com.au/ hope this helps
Re: Downloading AFL Games
Thanks, Tracey. You'll find that info is widely available on this site. Just check our TV Info and TV schedule pages.
The message you replied to was 7 years old so back then, it wouldn't have been an option and I doubt anyone is still reading that thread.
-Rob
AFANA Chairman and Site Admin
Swans500,
Pittsburgh.