MHz Networks

Brief Update on 2012 TV Coverage

admincms — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:02:30 -0600

This is a brief update on the expected TV coverage of the AFL in North America in 2012. For US viewers, we can advise that at this time we do not expect any coverage on ESPN affiliated networks in 2012 based on information from ESPN. However negotiations are on-going according to the AFL. (This has no bearing on whether ESPN covers the sport in other parts of the world.) Coverage on MHz Networks will likely continue however, no agreement has been concluded. We understand negotiations are continuing but beyond that we do not have further information at this time. For Canadian fans, we are awaiting word but with the loss of ESPN it would be reasonable to assume that coverage on TSN is endangered. [Ed. note: this article has been slightly revised following a request by the AFL to remove it. AFANA has determined that it accurately reflects the information we have received and we are re-publishing it.]

Fans are encouraged to be patient as AFANA is seeking additional information from the AFL and the TV networks. We still have about 8 weeks until the AFL season is underway. We will, as always, keep you informed with updates as things progress and advise if we think fans should take action.

Foxtel Big Winner In New Broadcast Deal

johnson — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:41:46 -0500

Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA from Melbourne with additional contributions from our US based staff

Pay TV provider Foxtel and its half-owner Telstra have emerged as the biggest winners of the new AFL domestic broadcast deal, as Channel Seven retains the free-to-air rights to the competition. For the first time since 1997, the primary broadcaster will not change. In the biggest media deal in Australian sporting history, Foxtel and country Pay-TV provider Austar have won the right to televise every game (except the Grand Final) live , while Seven has the right to broadcast a minimum of four matches each round during the regular season and the Grand Final live.

We have a full report and analysis of the impact on US and Canadian fans. The main points of the 2012-2016 broadcast deal include:

Foxtel will televise every game of the regular season live. Foxtel will revive its 24-hour AFL channel, to be renamed Fox Sports AFL, to provide live coverage, with some matches to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 on Saturdays and Sundays if two matches overlap. The channel is not expected to be available in the USA or Canada.
Seven will televise a minimum of four matches each week during the regular season, on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
The Friday night game will be broadcast live in Victoria for the first time, and on reduced delay into South Australia and Western Australia (currently the delay is between 1 hour and 3 hours). The kickoff time has been pushed back by 10 minutes to 7.50pm for matches in Melbourne, but remains at 8.40pm AEST for matches held in Adelaide and Perth.
The Saturday afternoon match will be broadcast live on Foxtel, starting at the earlier time of 1.45pm AEST, and on a 90-minute delay on Seven. The Sunday match to be broadcast on Seven will start at 3.15pm AEST, leading in to the 6pm news.
All matches involving the Crows, Power, Eagles, Dockers, Lions, Suns, Swans and new team GWS Giants will be broadcast into their home state on Foxtel and Seven.
Foxtel and Seven will televise every game live during the first three weeks of the Finals series, with the Grand Final to be shown live on Seven only.
Foxtel will televise every game of the pre-season competition live, with the pre-season Grand Final to be simulcast with Seven.
For the first time, Telstra will stream every match including the Grand Final live over its Next G cellular network to smartphones and tablet devices and at least one live game per week to T-Box customers using IPTV (internet protocol television) technology. The telco firm has also secured a deal with Foxtel to stream every match live if T-Box customers subscribe to Foxtel in a service due to start in May. It is not known how this will alter international coverage though AFANA does not expect that any streaming to North American fans would be free so if it is available to non-Australian smartphones and tablets, it is likely there will be a subscription fee.
Telstra and Foxtel will simulcast Seven's matches and carry all of Seven's pictures, commentary and commercials. Foxtel will also carry Seven's commercials during quarter breaks, as well as before and after each match. As with the present coverage, these commercials will not be shown to foreign audiences due to restrictions in talent contracts.
Foxtel and Seven will televise the Brownlow Medal live. Foxtel's coverage of the Brownlow Medal ceremony will also contain Seven's commercials.
Telstra will continue to manage the AFL official website and club websites.

The final deal is worth A$1.253 billion (US$1.37 billion), of which A$1.18 billion is in cash and the rest in contributed benefits ("contra") such as advertising and promotion. The deal is A$369 million higher than the A$780 million Seven and Ten paid for the 2007-2011 rights contract, of which A$749 million was in cash. The total value comprises A$534.5 million in cash and A$85 million contra from Foxtel, A$425 million cash and A$50 million contra from Seven, and $155 million from Telstra. The cash contributions from Foxtel and Telstra are up from the previous deal (A$315 million and A$60 million respectively) but Seven's contribution is A$40 million less.

The fact that Seven paid less cash for the free-to-air rights, and that a minimum four matches per week will be broadcast on Seven's digital channel 7mate into New South Wales and Queensland in the new agreement, paves the way for Seven to bid for the National Rugby League broadcast rights. The current rights deal with Channel Nine and Foxtel expire at the end of 2011.

The AFL has abandoned experiments with Thursday and Monday night football after broadcasters argued it made the weekend too long, despite Foxtel's ratings success with the NRL on Monday nights. The AFL also dismissed Seven's ambition to look at a twilight or night Grand Final.

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the deal was driven not by financial motives, but by what the fans want: more live football on TV. "This is a landmark agreement that will take the game to more people than ever before, in ways never seen before," he said. "It is a great deal for football and a great deal for football supporters who remain the heart and soul of our game."

Seven West Media Chief Executive David Leckie was delighted with the deal. Seven West Media was formed in early April from the merger of Seven Media Group, which owns Channel Seven, and the West Australian Newspapers Holdings, publisher of The West Australian in Perth. "It's in our DNA, AFL," Leckie said. ''It's been a lot of hard-at-the-ball (discussions) for the past two years and certainly for the last year it's been a day-by-day all-in brawl, it's been very tough, but we're very happy and it's a great deal … While we've been very aggressive, the AFL deal is going to cement Channel Seven as No. 1 (network) for many years in a row, many, many years in a row, and that's why we aggressively chased it.'' Under the current deal, Seven and Ten each televise two games each week. Seven and Ten again partnered to bid for the 2012-2016 rights last year before Ten withdrew in late March. Leckie maintained Seven still had a good working relationship with Ten, and said Seven could on-sell games to Ten or even Channel Nine if the price was right.

Telstra Chief Executive David Thodey said delivering more live matches and content through cell phones was ''a watershed moment'' for the game. He said: ''It's 89 years since the game was first broadcast on radio, and Telstra is delighted to be bringing live AFL to the digital world ... This agreement represents the coming of age for mobile technology and IPTV. No longer do Australians need to be tied to the lounge-room to catch Australia's favourite sporting code live."

Foxtel is hoping the comprehensive AFL coverage will provide a much-needed boost to subscription rates in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Its market penetration in Sydney is about 39 per cent, around 31 per cent in Melbourne, and even lower in Adelaide and Perth. When Foxtel Chief Executive Kim Williams was asked if his company paid too much for its part of the deal, he said: "If people think we go into something like this and make the investment we have made on the basis of whim, they don't understand our company … Our company is a very rigorously run enterprise that pays extremely close attention to all the metrics that are relevant to our performance."

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said the deal was an important result for the fans because it would allow them to watch matches via different methods. He said that players, clubs and fans would receive some rewards from the broadcast deal, but warned the 18 clubs that the contract should not be seen as the windfall that would guarantee their prosperity. While Demetriou assured that the 18-team competition will be maintained until 2016, he conceded the league needed to work harder to reduce the gap in revenue streams that allow richer clubs to spend more on football departments. He also added that the money to be distributed to poorer clubs from the new deal should not only be used to wipe out their massive debts. Demetriou alluded to increased spending in other areas including international development but no specifics were given and it wasn't clear if this was football development only or included better international marketing. Historically, the AFL effort in growing the game internationally has not included significant spending in growing the fan base except for television thus leaving the task to AFANA in North America.

Negotiations for the 2012-2016 deal took more than 18 months, with an AFL subcommittee comprising Fitzpatrick, Demetriou, Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLachlan and Commissioner Chris Lynch involved in the talks. Negotiations were stalled late last year due to uncertainties over changes to the Federal Government's "anti-siphoning" scheme, which has granted Foxtel the power to bid independently for five regular season games. There were still last-minute talks in the past two weeks, right up to the day of the announcement (April 28), on the finer details of the deal, such as the broadcast arrangements of the Brownlow Medal and game coverage into NSW and Queensland. Anti-siphoning laws restrict the availability of live sporting events to over the air broadcasters such as Seven and Ten. Similar laws exist in other countries but not in the USA and Canada.

Nine, which won the 2002-2006 rights with Ten and Foxtel back in December 2000 and was always determined to reclaim the rights after losing the 2007-2011 rights to Seven and Ten, first committed to televise four matches per week during the regular season. But it was Nine Network chief Jeff Browne, a former AFL executive, who aggressively pushed the idea of giving Foxtel the right to broadcast all games live. The proposal was ratified by the boards of Foxtel and its 25 per cent shareholder Consolidated Media Holdings in October. Foxtel then told the AFL it was prepared to pay A$500 million for the rights, but only if its product included all nine regular season games live.

Seven took some time to accept Foxtel's bid, as the network feared that a simulcast of the Friday night match would dilute Seven's audience to the degree that it could lose the week's ratings war with Nine because of it. After Seven Executive Chairman Kerry Stokes - who holds an indirect interest in Foxtel through his shares in Consolidated Media Holdings - accepted that Foxtel's Williams would not give up the live rights, things began to take shape.

Seven and Ten made a presentation to the AFL on March 24, just hours before the season opener between Carlton and Richmond was held at the MCG. Their bid was believed to consist of A$400 million in cash and A$50 million in contra. However Ten withdrew from the bid a few days later when Acting Chief Executive Lachlan Murdoch (the son of Rupert Murdoch, Chairman of News Corporation, News Corp owning 25 per cent of Foxtel), who bought a large share in Ten in October last year, argued the network would lose too much money as part of the joint bid. Citigroup analyst Justin Diddams estimates both networks lose about A$18 million a year on the deal compared with the amount of advertising the AFL generates.

Both Seven and Ten denied the lawsuits related to Seven Sales Director James Warburton's appointment as Ten's new Chief Executive led to Ten pulling out of negotiations. Warburton was due to begin his new role in July, after his predecessor Grant Brackley resigned on March 2. A few days later Seven launched a lawsuit in the New South Wales Supreme Court against Ten and Warburton over an apparent breach of his contractual obligations. Seven's lawsuit against Ten was dismissed on April 1, however the network's lawsuit against Warburton is still proceeding and a judgment will be handed down on May 12.

Nine lodged a last-ditch bid just hours before AFL Commission met in Melbourne on April 18 to discuss the deal, but pulled out five days later when Seven raised its cash offer from A$400 million to A$425 million.

The AFL Players Association is set to demand a bigger share of revenue from the 2012-1016 deal as part of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the League, which could include a pension scheme and better welfare benefits for players. Collingwood premiership star Dale Thomas said the players would not be ''bullied around'' by the AFL and were united in their claim for a substantial pay rise including a demand of a fixed guarantee of 27% of revenue. However, Demetriou stated that AFLPA might be doing its members a disservice by locking themselves into a fixed percentage. Later AFLPA leadership sounded a more conciliatory tone. Negotiations are due to begin later this year.

North American Impact and Analysis

Television rights in North America are also due to expire at the end of this season. While neither ESPN nor MHz Networks have publicly indicated that they intend to continue, AFANA expects that they will. The new Australian rights deal will not result in any immediate changes to the situation in North America as the deals are independent. Any changes would happen with the start of the 2012 season. The most immediate issues likely to occur are the availability of HD or high definition, television feeds. At present, Seven does not do AFL matches in true HD so any matches aired here in true HD (not simulated or upconverted) originate with Ten and sometimes Foxtel. If Seven does not begin doing AFL matches in HD next season (and they have not yet made a public commitment on the issue) then US and Canadian viewers will lose all HD coverage unless the match is produced by Foxtel in HD. This should become clearer over time.

The advent of the return of the Foxtel 24 hour AFL channel is not expected to have any impact on US viewers aside from the continued availability of the "AFL Winners" show now aired by MHz Networks in lieu of the no longer produced AFL Highlights show. It is unlikely the AFL channel will be available to US viewers any time in the near future.

The retention by Telstra of the AFL web site and worldwide internet rights is going to be greatly disappointing to most North American fans. The long-running complaints about the AFL web site on our comments areas, fora, and in e-mails as well as the poor quality and unreliability do not look to change. This season has seen improvement due to non-Windows computers again being able to use the site and LiveAFL.tv. AFANA analysis suggests that it is quite likely Telstra paid much more than the rights are likely to generate in revenue over the next five years just as they did in the past two contracts. By using the AFL rights as a loss leader to generate Australian revenue and paying a massive premium for them, Telstra has locked out other companies which would better serve internet dependent fans such as those in North America.

AFANA will continue to work with the AFL and Telstra to resolve issues but there is no reason for optimism in the near term. The good news, if any, is that ESPN3 and TSN.ca have been doing an excellent job for the three matches per round available through those sources. That can be expected to continue.

This article will be revised if additional information important to North American fans comes to light.

Sources: Herald Sun, The Age, The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, author's notes, AFANA internal analysis

Late Change Announced to AFL Highlights and Internet Coverage

admincms — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:57:15 -0500

(Revised 3/23/2011 to add more detail, correct typos, and clarify which matches are covered.)
Major changes have been announced to the AFL weekly highlights programs and online coverage by the AFL. Details were made available to AFANA in the past 24 hours. (There are no other changes we are aware of besides what is reported here.) The traditional AFL highlights programs have been replaced by a FOX Sports produced program called "AFL Winners" and the the online service previously provided by Aussie Sport TV (ASTV) has been replaced by LiveAFL.TV. The new service is supposed to support platforms other than the Windows based PC's including Apple Mac's. (We have not tested this as yet but there are at least two reports that it does work on Macs.)

The new weekly AFL wrap is called "AFL Winners". This new highlights show continues to be available in North America only via MHz Networks. Thus, all access options for MHz as detailed on our TV Info page apply to this program. The new show is described as follows (we have not seen a preview at AFANA yet): "Hosted by former Geelong Cats player Dwayne Russell, AFL Winners offers a comprehensive wrap of the completed round of AFL matches, including all the weekend results, highlights, injury updates and tribunal reports from the 17 AFL teams, plus the picks for mark, goal and play of the week." Our TV schedules page will have a schedule for coverage via MHz posted shortly.

The new online service has replaced ASTV and all accounts have been moved (or so we have been told). Season subscription costs are also rising. The service is sending out e-mails that read as follows:

"AFL video coverage on Aussie Sport TV has moved - Watch Live AFL on LIVEAFL.TV

LIVEAFL.TV is the new home of AFL video online with official live coverage of over 200* AFL games each season plus full match replays and interviews.

What's more unlike Aussie Sport TV, LIVEAFL.TV is available on both PC & Mac.

By subscribing today you'll be able to watch live* action from the long anticipated opening weekend of the 2011 Toyota Premiership.

As an existing Aussie Sport TV registrant your registration details have been moved from Aussie Sport TV to LIVEAFL.TV so subscribing is easy, simply click here and sign in using your existing username & password (below) and select a new subscription plan.

Username: XXXXXXXX
Password Hint: XXXXXXXX

Click here to visit LIVEAFL.TV and watch the best of the action from round 1 of the 2011 Toyota Premiership Live.

We hope you enjoy the new season and look forward to seeing you on LIVEAFL.TV.

*Subject to your geographical location click here for more information."

We will post more details and revise this article as we receive them including prices, etc. The matches available in North America will be the 5 each week NOT available through ESPN3.com. It's AFANA's belief that the underlying service is still being provided by Perform, Ltd. under contract to the AFL and Telstra/BigPond but on a dedicated domain name and with updated Adobe Flash technology. Our TV pages will also be revised in the next day or so to reflect this.

2010 Television Coverage for US and Canada Announced

admincms — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:43:01 -0600

The 2010 season TV coverage for North America is finally becoming clear. For the most part, coverage will not be different than what was the case in August and September of last season. The primary US coverage will be via internet broadband on ESPN360.com. This is free if your ISP has a deal with ESPN [about 50% of US homes including internet providers Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications, etc. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks].

We will be posting round by round schedules for virtually the entire AFL season shortly. Round 1 will have Richmond v Carlton, Geelong v Essendon, and Western B. v Collingwood live. [There is no NAB Cup coverage.] Three matches will be live per round for the balance of the AFL season on ESPN360. In April ESPN360 will change names to ESPN3.com and have upgraded web services but otherwise remain the same. ESPN2, the cable and satellite channel, will carry 4 AFL matches during the course of the season including the Grand Final (live). The first match will be the Round 15 Geelong v Hawthorn match on a delayed basis. Two more will be selected at a later date.

Secondary coverage will be on MHz Networks. MHz affiliates are now in over half of the major US TV markets and they just added Los Angeles. MHz will announce more cities soon and we will update the list on our TV Info page as they are announced. MHz will provide a 3-hour match each week, delayed one week from ESPN360 and likely selected from one of the 3 ESPN matches. More details are due to be announced by MHz soon. Coverage begins April 5th at 9:00 PM US EDT and repeated 3 hours later. Match to be aired TBA. MHz is also now available on the Roku Digital Video Player (we will have more on Roku soon).

Coverage via Bigpond TV, Aussie Sport TV, and Omnisport TV are yet to be fully detailed by the AFL and we will post more on those options soon. .

Canadian coverage will continue on TSN2. We are told to expect similar coverage to that of last August / September however we are still awaiting word from TSN management and the AFL.

Back To The Future: Why AFANA Matters

admincms — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:20:44 -0500

About three years ago, I wrote an entry on my blog here at AFANA.com on "Why AFANA Is Important Even If You Don't Get The Footy Now". My argument then, in a nutshell, was this: If the only time you support what we do is when you are happy with the coverage, we might not be there on the day when you are not. Or alternately, if you only visit our site when you feel you need us, don't be surprised if we aren't able to help you. Despite years of complaints about Fox Sports, as soon as Fox dropped the sport and Setanta picked it up, we saw a plunge in our financial support as fans unhappy they couldn't get Setanta no longer contributed. Ironically, now that Setanta has left and ESPN / TSN have returned, much the same thing is happening.

As with the situation three years ago, we've had a change in coverage in 2009. One we didn't necessarily want and which we were hoping would not happen. Judging from the e-mail and surveys we continue to receive, many fans out there are surprised and unhappy about the change in TV networks. Not a day goes by that we don't get a message that "I couldn't find the AFL on TV, so I went to your site and found Setanta had dropped the sport. Why did they do that?". (That's the family rated version, I can't print some of the language we've seen.) We published four major stories over several months about Setanta's problems yet so many fans tell us that they didn't know -- probably because they don't use this site except when they are desperate. So it seems my blog from 2006 bears repeating and rewording now.

AFANA exists for the fans. AFANA is a group of fans who volunteer their time and money to make this work. We will only be here if you support what we do (we do not receive any AFL funding!). We will only be here if you support us when you don't get the coverage and when you do. We will only be here if you support us when you like the network and the coverage and when you don't. We will only be here if you regularly check our web site and patronize our advertisers and sponsors when times are good and when times are not so good. You can't be a "fair weather" supporter of AFANA and expect us to be able to make your footy world "right" whenever you have a problem. We are only as effective as our numbers of donors and numbers of regular web site visitors make us.

I know that as sports fans we think it is our universal right to complain about TV coverage, TV networks, the AFL, etc. but the reality is that crescendo of complaints does reach the AFL and networks eventually. Our voices can be voices for positive or negative change. Many of you also blame AFANA when you can't get the footy and cheer us when you can (but don't send us a donation in either case!). The cumulative damage of this I mentioned to in my earlier blog post on The ESPN Deal and History. AFL fans in North America are vocal and you have been the backbone of AFANA's effectiveness in the past 15 seasons. However, there is a time and place to complain and there is a time to be supportive of what you have.

We are at a crossroads in the USA and Canada now. The future of the AFL coverage hangs in the balance. ESPN and TSN have thrown us a lifeline, MHz and America One are determined to continue showing the AFL. If we (the fans) step up and the streams on ESPN360 / TSN.ca do well, the ratings for TSN & ESPN2 are good, and the coverage on MHz and America gains popularity, we will get better coverage. I am confident of that. However, if we fail to watch the sport on ESPN, TSN, MHz, and America One the prospects beyond 2011 are grim. If we spend most of our energy complaining about the coverage and not supporting the coverage or supporting AFANA, the outcome will be poor. Do not misunderstand me here in any way: the time is now. If we fail as fans at this stage, the prospects of ever getting back to multiple games of full match coverage, some or most live, is extremely poor over the next decade.

As Kimber Smith, our new co-Chair has written, we must take a different approach. Let me outline a few suggestions:

Support AFANA. Donate, volunteer, and help Kimber when she asks for help. If you don't know where you can help, write us and tell us what skills you have and are willing to offer, and we'll try to find a place to use you.
We are your most reliable source for TV schedules. Don't rely on your on-screen guide for that information. Sooner or later, you'll be caught short. Support what we do so we can continue to be the first stop for dependable schedule information.
If you get ESPN360 and TSN.ca, use it and watch matches
If you don't get ESPN360, ask your ISP to add it and do so in a courteous and polite manner. Explain why you like footy but do not run down other sports and if you are an ex-pat, remember that is not relevant to your ISP or ESPN or TSN so don't mention it, it will not help the cause.
If you are in an area served by MHz or America One, watch it and support it and let them know you are out there. If you don't get MHz watch for an announcement from Kimber soon about what you can do to get it added to a local channel in your area.
For US fans, when matches are aired on ESPN2 get everyone you know to watch. Make it an "event". If you are in Canada, record TSN or TSN2 and have "viewing" parties several times a season.
Remember, not every fan is in your situation. Others have it better, some have it worse. We are all in this together and we may never have a situation when 100% of fans in North America have exactly what they want.
Live coverage, other than online, is not likely to return unless we show we have the fans to support it and we "put our money where our mouth is". Before you complain that you aren't getting 3 or more matches a week, be thankful you have any at all.
The AFL is not perfect but they are not the enemy. Nonconstructive criticism about their efforts to get coverage in North America will only convince them it isn't worth it. Tell them courteously where and why you think it could be better. Specifics are better than broad sweeping complaints. If you are an ex-pat remember they do not owe you or anyone else coverage here.
Be informed about the facts on the coverage. There is much misinformation out there. We still had fans early this season telling others that the sport was on Fox or ESPN when it had not been for years. Read our TV Info page and if you have questions, ask us first. (Not only will we try to get you an answer, we might clarify our web page as a result!) Once you know the facts, be a missionary for the sport and get your friends to watch and get them to visit afana.com

In return I promise, on behalf of the new leadership of AFANA, we will be in there fighting for you with the AFL and working with the networks. We will get our footy in 2009 and beyond!

TV Coverage Returns to ESPN and TSN

admincms — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:57:43 -0500

Begins with Round 19 for USA and Canada

For the first time since 1997, the Australian Football League will be on an ESPN network in North America. Following the demise of the sport on Setanta, the AFL has struck a deal for live coverage on ESPN360 of 3 matches per round (weekly) now and beginning in 2010, additional coverage of at least four matches per season (year) on ESPN2. Canadian fans will get one match per week (delayed) on TSN and repeats on TSN2.

AFANA worked closely with the AFL and the networks to support this unprecedented mid-season change. Coverage of the Grand Final will be on ESPN2 through 2011 and we are informed it will be live. Given ESPN's baseball contracts, we remain concerned about this. We do not know what the Grand Final situation on TSN will be for Canada. Unlike Setanta, this coverage will not require a subscription fee from fans. ESPN2 is in over 80% of US homes but aside from the Grand Final it will not have coverage until next season. ESPN360 is the "broadband" channel of ESPN and delivered by computer and it will carry matches live. This service may prove superior for some fans to the existing service on Aussie Sport TV (the Telstra/Big Pond/afl.com.au service by another name). Please note: ESPN360 will not cover all 8 AFL matches each week so you will still need to subscribe to Aussie Sport TV if you wish to get every match on a delayed basis. For those fans without ESPN360, coverage will be limited unless they have MHz Worldview or America One.

As AFANA gets more details, we will post that information on our TV Info and TV schedules pages. AFANA will be revising our TV schedules page as soon as possible with new schedules from ESPN, and TSN, as well as MHz and America One. For the first week or two, there may be some lag time as AFANA, the AFL, ESPN, and TSN work out the schedule logistics. Those pages will be revised to reflect this new coverage so please be patient while we "catch up". As always, AFANA will remain your one stop location to get all AFL TV coverage information and schedules for the USA and Canada.

Delayed free to air coverage of one match per week will continue by MHz Networks and America One. Together, MHz Networks and America One reach over half of the TV markets in North America. (See our TV Info for details on MHz and America One and to find out if your city or town has this free coverage.) MHz has agreed to continue as an AFL broadcaster through the 2011 season. They will carry the Grand Final on a 48 hour delayed basis. (Ed. note: America One will also continue and AFL matches through America One are shown on MSG+, available nationally as DirecTV ch. 635.)

Fans who watch coverage on ESPN360 may wish to register for an account at the ESPN web site in order to take full advantage of the coverage. You will also need to insure your browser and computer can support the service. To determine if your computer works with ESPN360 go to: ESPN360 System Requirements. There are also links there to install the "Move Player" add-in required for most browsers. (Ed. note: ESPN360 does not support all internet providers and if your ISP is not signed up this will impede your access. Please see the comments below for hints on what other fans have done. A list of providers for ESPN360 is here.) (Ed. note: (8/21/09) Matches on ESPN360 will be available for replay for only 48 hours following the starting time of the match.) (Ed. note: 5/2010: With the change to ESPN3, the service no longer requires the Move Player and now uses Adobe Flash. Flash must be installed on your computer.)

AFANA Interim Co-Chairman Kimber Smith has a statement here on the situation. Also, see her comment below. (Ed. note: Coverage on Setanta ended because of Setanta's financial difficulty. The AFL did not take their carriage rights away and the loss of coverage on Setanta could not have been stopped.)
Read the former Chairman's blog post on how we got to this point: The ESPN Deal And History

The press release from the AFL states: (Ed. note: ESPN copy of the press release is here.)

"ESPN and the Australian Football League (AFL) have reached a multiyear rights deal for live multi-platform coverage in the United States and Canada. The agreement brings fans in the U.S. and Canada access to up to three live matches in each round of the home and away season for the remainder of this season and through the end of 2011. It also includes a number of Finals Series matches, including the 2009 Toyota AFL Grand Final from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in September.

In the United States, matches will be streamed live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature live sports broadband network, as well as select AFL matches – including the Grand Final - being televised on ESPN2. In Canada, TSN or TSN2 will televise at least one live or delayed match per week.

The AFL’s agreement with ESPN in the U.S. and Canada follows last week’s confirmation that the league had secured ESPN as its broadcast rights partner in the UK and Ireland. ESPN also delivers the AFL to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean region.

AFL Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLachlan said, “We are extremely pleased that ESPN will be working with us in the United States and Canada. They are a global leader in multimedia sports entertainment and the collaboration will ensure our expanding supporter base in the U.S. and Canada enjoy the highest standards in live AFL broadcast coverage going forward.

McLachlan also said the shift towards digital media coverage reflected the growing demand from sports consumers around the globe for live online content: “ESPN360.com has quickly become an online destination of choice for American sports fans and we are delighted that AFL will have a strong presence on the platform.”

Added Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of programming, ESPN International, “AFL presents a great opportunity for us as a company and is in line with our commitment to covering the world sports scene through our media platforms. The AFL and ESPN have a long relationship, stretching back to the early years of our company. We look forward to bringing the excitement and passion of Australian football back to fans in North America.”

Coverage will begin Friday, August 7 live in the U.S. and on delay Saturday, August 8 in Canada, with the Round 19 clash between finals aspirants Carlton and Geelong from the MCG.

ESPN – AFL United States and Canada Rights Deal Coverage Summary

United States
• Live streaming coverage of three matches per round and finals matches on ESPN360.com.
• At least four matches per regular season in 2010 and 2011 and both Grand Finals live.
• Live coverage of the 2009 Grand Final on ESPN2.

Canada
• At least one match per week live or delayed on TSN or TSN2."

(Disclaimer: AFANA is paid a commission on all subscriptions to Aussie Sport TV made through our links. )

The ESPN Deal And History

admincms — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:43:59 -0500

One of the luxuries of being the "Chairman Emeritus" is that I get to help but I'm no longer responsible for the nitty gritty between the AFL, networks, and AFANA on TV issues. I can also offer my perspective as the "old man" on the block -- the gray haired veteran with (hopefully) sage wisdom. Now that the details are finally being published on the new AFL contract with ESPN and TSN in North America, I can also talk more freely without jeopardizing contract negotiations.

Fans are already starting to weigh in and predictably, reaction is mixed. For slightly less than 3 1/2 seasons, Setanta Sports was the main network and offered live AFL coverage. For that entire length of time, AFANA was the recipient of many, many messages from unhappy fans. Unhappy because they didn't get Setanta, or it was $14.99 a month, or they were a "lower tier" network and wrong for growth of the sport, and more. It's amazing how many writers today are telling Kimber Smith, the new co-chair, how angry they are that Setanta is gone. It all reminds me of a mask with one side white and the other dark.

From our founding in 1996, we heard from fans via our surveys, e-mail, telephone calls, and letters that they wanted the games live more than anything. We tried to do it ourselves several times in the late 90's and early 00's without success. There simply weren't enough fans willing to pay the high cost of pay per view. When Setanta came along, with their subscription model, a door opened. With our encouragement, the AFL walked through that door and we finally achieved live coverage in 2006. All along though, we had warned fans that if we got live coverage, it wouldn't be free, and it would be on a secondary network. Not that too many remember that right now. The economics of the US sports media market simply don't allow a sport like Australian football to break into the "big time" without major sponsors or lots of capital. That's the reality folks. This isn't Australia.

When Setanta debuted, AFANA also let fans know that this was our test. Would we, after 11 years of begging, step up to the plate and support live coverage on Setanta in sufficient numbers to make it work? The verdict after 3 years is now in: no, we didn't. The problem isn't that Setanta wasn't widely available. Setanta is now available to about 45% of US viewers. Among footy fans, our current survey seems to be tracking toward the result that over 55% of fans can get Setanta. Of those, about 40% didn't subscribe. Many thought 2-4 live matches a week wasn't enough (compared to what? zero?), the cost was too high, or you couldn't be bothered because it had other sports on it, or didn't like the times, etc. Instead of the 50,000 plus subscribers the footy community should have delivered, our subscription numbers at Setanta probably peaked at less than 15,000. So, when times got tough for Setanta (and they are), the expense of AFL coverage was too much. That is what happened this week. (Neither the AFL, nor AFANA, wanted to drop Setanta. Setanta dropped the sport.). Even at 2 matches per round, that $14.99 works out to $1.87 per match. Is live footy not worth that to you?

Setanta was a historic breakthrough for the AFL and AFANA in the US and Canada. They were good to work with and mostly straight with AFANA (in an industry where truth is a nicety). The coverage had a real impact on the clubs around the country and got lots of exposure in pubs. We did prove that live footy can work. It just didn't work well enough. We warned fans that if we lost Setanta, no other network would step up to the plate, and can you blame them? So ESPN has thrown us a lifeline and a second chance. But be careful what you wish for.

ESPN is the big kahuna of sports worldwide. They have lots of channels in lots of places. Clearly, being on ESPN is an achievement for any minor sport. However, this isn't 1982 any longer. They cover every major US sport with big dollar contracts. For those that remember, footy left ESPN after 1986 and returned, ever so briefly for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. In part, AFANA exists because of ESPN. The early 80's exposure created the first serious fan base and the mid-90's were the motivation for creating AFANA. When the AFL lost coverage on Prime Sports after the 1995 season (the channels were being sold to Fox Sports and became the backbone of Fox Sports Net) fans organized a lobbying campaign to get footy back. We succeeded, against all odds, at getting the AFL and ESPN to do a deal for weekly highlights on the then new ESPN2. It was anything but a happy marriage. In 1996, ESPN declined to air the Grand Final even on a delayed basis, so AFANA stepped in and did the national pay per view telecast that year with the help of the AACC of Southern California. In 1997, despite promises all year, the Grand Final went from live to delayed just 30 hours before bouncedown. Fans were furious and we buried the phone and fax machines in Bristol with complaints. The AFL was furious and canceled the contract after that season. The next year footy moved to the new Fox Sports World channel with the help of AFANA and Wade Hinkle, then AFANA President. Now let me be clear, I hold no grudges against ESPN. The management personnel responsible for those problems no longer work at ESPN and it was 12 years ago. The lesson though was that given a choice, ESPN will opt to delay, reschedule, or not air footy if it gets in the way of baseball or American football We're the goldfish and those sports are the whales.

In the intervening years, I've heard many fans say "you should get this on ESPN" or "if the AFL knew what it was doing footy would be on ESPN not [fill in the blank: Fox, Setanta, etc.]. The underlying assumption was that the AFL, AFANA, and ESPN never talked to each other. Nothing could be further from the truth. At every opening where a new contract could be negotiated, ESPN was asked if they were interested. The answer, through almost all of the last 12 years, was always "no". For a deal to occur, all parties must buy in. The primary reason the AFL was not on ESPN has not been AFL or AFANA incompetence. It was economic reality.

Since about 2001, AFANA has followed a very clear strategy when advising the AFL on TV coverage. Get live coverage on a more limited network where it can get fair attention, and push free to air coverage through local markets. The second part is now coming to fruition with MHz Networks and America One. Together, the two reach half of all local TV markets in the USA, large and small. There is a ways to go, but within a year or two, footy might have a full match, one week delayed, available on a local TV station virtually everywhere in the US. The first part was fulfilled by Setanta and from here forward, will have to be filled by ESPN360 and to a limited degree by ESPN2.

In a perfect world, the AFL wouldn't have been in a situation where it had to change networks mid-season but since it did, the new contract was an excellent deal under the circumstances. It gets the sport back on ESPN where fans say they want it. But and this is BIG: the fate of the sport on ESPN2 after 2011 probably depends heavily on ratings. Fans must help sell it when it does air and get everyone they know to watch otherwise the AFL won't be a position to get any deal, let alone a better one, for 2012.

Is AFANA doing cartwheels over the new deal? No, and we realize it has serious limitations and having to get most matches via the internet is less than perfect. (Time to get an internet ready TV??) Canada has suffered an even greater loss in coverage. To go forward, we all have to go back to the spirit we had in 1995-1996 where we said "we will get our footy!". We will succeed collectively or fail collectively. Everyone: AFANA members, local clubs, the USAFL, AFL Canada, and AFANA leadership teams, etc. must be on the same page with this. Sniping about how this deal isn't right for you might seem harmless but it isn't. It's partly why are where we are. Sure, if I don't get footy on my cable system Friday night at midnight, I am disappointed. Whinging might make you feel better, but it won't guarantee the future of AFL coverage on TV in North America and it won't help footy grow in your community.

Under our new leadership team, I am confident that AFANA will go forward as the best voice for the footy fan anywhere. They will carefully listen to your messages to us, study the survey results, and tell the AFL what they see as the best future on TV for the sport in North America. You should do your part: study our TV pages, know the facts about the TV coverage, and be a voice that is positive for the sport in your community. Oh, and please watch the coverage wherever you can!

-Rob de Santos
Chairman Emeritus and 2nd assistant senior Grumpy Guy

Which Match Should Be Match of the Week on MHz Networks Next Week?

admincms — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:16:38 -0600

Voting for the 2009 season has now concluded.

Each week, MHz Worldview & MHz Network 1 will show a "Match of the Week" voted on by you, the viewer! Fans choose which match they want to see by simply voting in the weekly survey. Matches are taken from the live or delayed matches aired for that round by Setanta Sports. (MHz Worldview/MHz Networks 1 matches are aired with a one-week delay.)

We encourage you to vote for the match you would most like to see on MHz Networks, either because you feel it will be the best, most exciting, interesting, or important. You decide…and fans rule! We'll tally your results here at AFANA and let MHz Worldview/MHz Networks 1 know which match is the one requested by popular demand. Two matches will open for voting each week this season (and the match not selected may air between October and December). Voting closes each Thursday night prior to each round, US time. (Please note: If technical issues occur that are beyond MHz Worldview/MHz Networks 1 control, the channel reserves the right to air a substitute match for that week.)

Television Coverage Q & A

admincms — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:13:24 -0500

Here are some answers to questions and comments we get frequently here at AFANA.

If you have a question please let us know by contacting us and if your question seems relevant to others, we may add it here. This information in this FAQ has not been fully updated in a long time. Some old questions are kept for reference purposes.

Contents:
1. I can't find the network or the times Aussie Rules is on the TV!

2. We got no warning that footy was leaving Fox!

3. Will Setanta show more than one live game per week?

4. There are too many commercials on Setanta and all they do is promote their own programs. They should show interviews and other halftime coverage, too.

5. Why can't we get the Fox Footy Channel in the US (or Canada)?

6. When will Canada get live coverage?(Now!)

7. Why is there no coverage on (my) cable systems?

8. When will Setanta or MHz Networks be on Comcast (or Time Warner, etc.)?
I don't get satellite OR can't have it OR don't want it.

9. How does ITVN work? How can I get it? Does it work in Canada, too? (ITVN and Setanta Broadband No Longer Available but NexTV and GekTV are)

10. Will the live coverage continue next season (2009)? Do they have a long term contract?

11. Setanta is too expensive for what you get.

12. Does Setanta Broadband carry AFL matches? (Discontinued)

13. The match selection is awful. Why are we seeing {fill in the teams} all the time?

14. The matches should be on at better times.

15. The announcers should be American so Americans can understand the game better.

16. I'd use the afl.com.au service but the quality is low. BitTorrents is better.

17. Why does the AFL charge for access to the online video? It should be free.

18. If the AFL (or AFANA) was doing it's job we wouldn't have lost coverage on Fox Soccer Channel!

19. The AFL doesn't care about fans in North America or they would fix things. They should be on TV nationally.

20. We need footy to get back on Fox (or ESPN). And what about OLN or Spike? or IN DEMAND pay per view? or Comcast On Demand?

21. Why can't Fox Soccer Channel show footy? Fox Sports World Canada did in 2006!

22. The AFL should pay their way onto a major US network.

23. If ESPN Asia-Pacific win the pay-tv (cable/satellite) rights in Australia does that mean they will begin airing in the US again?

24. Why isn't Setanta part of the sports channel packages?

25. If only the AFL didn't want so much money they could get on ESPN, right?

26. Why do I have to pay for footy? It should be free.

27. Why can't we get The Footy Show?

28. The quality of footy on MHz Worldview / MHz Networks via Globecast satellite or my local cable is terrible.

29. Is Setanta Sports shown in any bars or pubs?

30. Will HD (High Definition) telecasts of the AFL be available soon? For the Grand Final?

31. Will there be another exhibition in North America after the 2008 season?

32. Why was information so sparse from AFANA regarding the lead up to the exhibition?

33. AFANA was too critical of the exhibition. You wanted it to be something it wasn't.

34. You have no clout with the AFL. You didn't {fill in the blank} like I expected you to.

I can't find the network or the times Aussie Rules is on the TV!

AFANA provides the schedules at this web site four ways: on the left hand column (half way down) of every page is a 7 to 10 day summary of the schedule. Our TV schedule page has a full schedule as far out as we know it. Our Calendar has a full summary (current and historical) of the schedule in a monthly format. To find out which networks cover the sport, see our TV Info page for a summary.

We got no warning that footy was leaving Fox!

AFANA reported extensively on the pending demise of coverage on Fox Soccer Channel (formerly Fox Sports World) and Fox Sports Net in our TV and Media newsletter. We reported as far back as the summer of 2004 (we helped break the story in the TV industry) that FSWLD would become FSC and planned to drop all non-soccer coverage. We got a one season reprieve in 2005 and again we told our readers that it wouldn't continue into 2006. So if you didn't know, then maybe (hint, hint!) you should be reading our web site.

At the beginning of the 2007 season Fox Sports World Canada lost coverage due to the new live deal with Setanta that included Canada. However, when Setanta Canada couldn't get launched in time, some coverage was moved to Rogers Sportsnet. Now that Setanta Canada is up and running, all coverage in Canada is on Setanta Canada only.

Will Setanta show more than one live game per week?

Yes, Setanta has said they will air at least three games per week, time permitting in their schedule, and subscription support being sufficient. The other five matches will be aired on a delayed basis as scheduling permits. The remaining games will be added to the schedule on a gradual basis when scheduling allows. Given the cost of getting the feed for a match (even delayed) and editing it for repeats, additional matches beyond 3 won't be aired until schedule time permits at least two airings of each match. Setanta is committed to air all the matches live by the end of their contract with the AFL in 2011.

There are too many commercials on Setanta and all they do is promote their own programs. They should show interviews and other halftime coverage, too.

Setanta is a pay per view channel and as such does not have the same need to sell advertising so naturally they promote their own programming. When they air these "commercials" it is in a break in the live programming by the originating network. They don't add any time or shorten any breaks in live programming, they just fill the gaps. You get the live programs just as they are aired by the originating broadcaster in Australia and with their commentators (good or bad!). As of 2007, Setanta has reached agreement with the host networks and the AFL to air most of the pre-game, half time, and post-game comments when their scheduling allows sufficient time to do so. You will not see the Australian commercials due to copyright issues (as well as the fact they advertise products you can't buy in many cases).

Why can't we get the Fox Footy Channel in the US (or Canada)?

Foxtel closed the Fox Footy Channel at the end of the 2006 season and any future AFL coverage on Fox cable in Australia will be on the new Fox Sports 3 channel. Since there is significant overlap between the Fox Sports 1, 2, and 3 channels with what they air in the US and on their Canadian affiliates it is highly unlikely that Fox Sports 3 will ever air in the US or Canada.

When will Canada get live coverage?(Now!)

Without much notice, Setanta Canada went on the air on 9 August 2007. Canadian footy fans can now get live coverage on a very similar schedule as US fans. Setanta does have live rights for Canada in 2007-11. Costs in Canada are similar to the US: CAN$14.99. The channel is available on many cable and satellite systems including Bell ExpressVu ch. 420, Shaw Direct (formerly Star Choice), Shaw, Rogers, EastLink, Cogeco, and SaskTel. See our TV schedule page for more details.

Why is there no coverage on (my) cable systems?

Contrary to what you may think, there is limited coverage on cable but only on those systems which carry MHz Worldview and now some Cox, Comcast, RCN, Verizon FiOS, and AT&T U-verse cable systems. Both Setanta Sports and MHz Worldview are newer channels and as such, have limited but growing distribution. The management of both channels have assured AFANA that they are working to improve this situation. We went through similar adjustments with Prime Sports in 1988, ESPN2 in 1996, and Fox Sports World in 1998 (and even with then new ESPN on the new fangled thing called cable in 1980). AFANA understands though, that if you don't get it this year, that is all that matters at this moment. See the next question.

When will Setanta or MHz Networks be on Comcast (or Time Warner, etc.)?
I don't get satellite OR can't have it OR don't want it.

Setanta and MHz Networks management have assured us they are working hard to get on cable. However, a subscription sports channel is still a foreign concept to many of these companies so it may take some time for Setanta. Even though cable has had single pay channels for years in the form of HBO, etc. the concept is perceived as "a-la-carte" programming and they are skittish about it. The Setanta business model means they have to negotiate not only carriage on the cable system but revenue sharing with the cable company which is more complex. The good news is that if it works on DirecTV, DISH Network (as of Aug. 1st, 2007); Cox Communications (as of Oct. 8, 2008 in limited areas of the country initially), the others will follow sooner rather than later. (In November, 2008, some "all digital" Comcast and RCN Cable systems added Setanta Sports, AT&T U-verse did likewise in December, 2008, and most recently Verizon FiOS. Home2US satellite has also added Setanta). See our TV Info page for more on all the sources of coverage. If you subscribe to Cox, Comcast, RCN, Verizon, or AT&T U-verse call your local cable system office and ask if you can subscribe to Setanta Sports. If they don't know, ask them to find out or to add service in your area.

For MHz Networks it is simply that they are new and their programming is different so it takes time to introduce it to local stations and cable companies and gain distribution. As the digital conversion moves forward, they are adding many new outlets. As of February 2010, MHz is on local TV or cable in these cities with the same schedule as we list for MHz Worldview: on WNVC (digital ch. 30.1), Comcast, Cox and RCN cable, as well as Verizon FiOS in Washington, DC; and on MPS on Time Warner ch. 76 in Minneapolis, MN and Comcast Ch. 20 / St. Paul Neighborhood Network in St. Paul, MN; WEIU (digital ch. 50-2) in Charleston, IL; KCSM (digital ch. 43.2) in San Francisco, CA; KBTC in Seattle / Tacoma, WA (digital ch. 28.4) or Centralia, WA (digital ch. 15.4); WYCC-TV (digital ch. 20.3) in Chicago, IL; WHTJ-TV (digital ch. 41.3) in Charlottesville, VA; KUEN-TV (digital ch. 9.2) in Salt Lake City, UT; KBDI-TV (digital ch. 12.3) in Denver, CO; WDCQ-TV (digital ch. 19.1 or Charter Cable ch. 433) in Flint, MI; WCVE-TV (digital ch. 23.3 and Comcast ch. 202) in Richmond, VA; Student Cable ch. 182 at Stanford Univ, CA; WCEU-TV (digital ch. 15.3 and Brighthouse Cable ch. 1153) in Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Melbourne, FL; KLVX-TV (digital ch. 10.1) and Cox Cable (ch. 114) in Las Vegas, NV; KMOS-TV (digital ch. 6.3) in Warrensburg, MO; KSMQ-TV (digital ch. 15.2) in Austin / Rochester, MN; WLAE-TV (digital ch. 32.2) in New Orleans, LA; KTWU-TV (digital ch. 11.2) and Cox Cable (ch. 671) in Topeka, KS; WYBE-TV (digital ch. 34.3 and 35.3) in Philadelphia, PA; WNEO-TV (digital ch. 45.3) and Time Warner (ch. 367) in Youngstown, OH; WEAO-TV (digital ch. 49.3) and Time Warner (ch. 367) in Akron, Canton, and Cleveland, OH and Time Warner (ch.85) in Massillon, OH; WGPT-TV (digital ch. 24.2) in Moline and Quad Cities, IL; KVCR-TV (digital ch. 26) in Los Angeles, CA; in Miami, FL on Adelphia, Atlantic, Bellsouth, Comcast, and Strategic Tech cable; and DirecTV (international package only, ch. 2183 and requires special dish); all with the same schedule as MHz Worldview. More schedule info on these outlets will be added as it becomes available. Please check http://www.mhznetworks.org/mhzworldview/carriage/ for the latest in affiliate updates.

How does ITVN work? How can I get it? Does it work in Canada, too? (ITVN and Setanta Broadband No Longer Available but NexTV and GekTV are available)

(As of mid-February 2008 it appears that ITVN has ceased operations and is no longer an option for footy fans. Sorry. Setanta Broadband is no longer carrying the AFL either due to rights issues. Setanta is now available via NexTV, GekTV, and ConnecTV all at similar terms using similar technology to ITVN -- see the TV Info page for more details.This item will be updated shortly.) ITVN delivers it's television signals over broadband (DSL, cable, etc.) Internet: (Internet TV Network). When you subscribe, ITVN ships you a box to connect to your broadband router and to your television and a remote control. The router and box are connected by an ethernet cable just the way a PC would be. Then you use either a standard audio and video cable or an S-video cable to connect the box and TV. Once everything is connected and configured (sometimes manual configuration of your router is required but their US based telephone tech support is generally good.) you can choose to subscribe only to Setanta Sports or add some of their other services such as other TV channels, radio stations (US, Canadian, and international including Australia). The cost for football via ITVN is identical to that on DirecTV, about $14.99 per month and the first month is currently free. (The radio package is about $9.99 per month). You do not connect this box to your computer, it is for television to your TV set from the internet. (Although if your computer video card has a TV input that would probably work.)

To get it use our links to ITVN. The service is available to Canadian fans, too, but be sure to check on customs issues with the shipping of the box.

Reports on the quality of the signal have generally been positive but quality is dependent on the speed of your broadband connection and the load on their servers. Quality matched what we expect on cable but wasn't quite up to DirecTV. The speed is adjustable. ITVN may affect the speed at which other users in your household can use other internet services including the web however in one home with 3 PCs including 2 in active use, we did not notice much effect at all unless someone tried to make another streaming connection or download a large file. Some users have noted that the box may not respond to the remote instantly but instead has a slight lag. You can turn off or disconnect the system when not in use. Since this is a "cutting edge" technology, it works well for most fans but not in every situation and on every internet connection. AFANA welcomes other reports of user's experiences with ITVN and we have several user comment threads on the site from subscribers. The quality is dependent not just on their signal but on the speed and quality of the internet service provided by your internet provider. Buying your provider's fastest service will help.

Will the live coverage continue next season (2009)? Do they have a long term contract?

Setanta has a five year contract for the current coverage (through 2011) and Setanta has said if the subscriber growth justifies it, they want to continue. The flip side is that if growth isn't sufficient we may lose the coverage. Like any deal, both parties (AFL and Setanta) will reassess it at the end of each season. If they get sufficient subscription growth it will continue, if not it won't. If there is one thing AFANA has learned since we started in 1995, there is never certainty in the coverage of any sport. Reports suggest that Setanta paid about US$8 million for the rights for 5 years in North America, Ireland, the UK, and territories. That would be a record amount for the AFL for foreign coverage.

Setanta is too expensive for what you get.

AFANA understands that fans don't want to pay for footy. We have been doing it though from the very first day footy appeared on ESPN in 1980. However, Setanta is a bargain relative to the standalone cost of live coverage. Roughly speaking, to cover over 75 games a season (22 weeks including an extra week in the split round plus 4 weeks of finals, the NAB Cup, and the 150th Year match) and feed about 225 hours of live video from Australia to the USA, redistribute it via satellite, cover the ground staff costs, etc. simply can't be done for much less than $20 a minute. And probably more.

Figure that you will pay a 100% markup to the pay per view distributor for their profit and operating costs in collecting the pay per view fees and the fees for each cable or satellite company that participates. Now take all that, add a small profit margin and divide by the number of footy fans that will subscribe in the US. AFANA guarantees that it is vastly more than the $105 (~$15 x 7 mos) per season it is costing you to subscribe to Setanta.

AFANA worked on several live packages over the years, even tried to market several. There never was any way we or any reputable TV company could have been doing this as cheap as Setanta is doing it now. So, while three matches per week may seem too little at $3.75 per week, it isn't. Ask Premier League fans how much they pay per week and you'll see what we mean. We benefit from the fact that Setanta can spread the fixed costs over all their live programming in multiple countries thereby reducing the cost of the product to footy fans.

Does Setanta Broadband carry AFL matches? (Discontinued)

Update 3-28-08: Setanta Broadband now carries AFL coverage Update: As of early July, 2008 coverage on Setanta Broadband ceased due to rights issues. Effective with Round 1, 2008, Setanta Broadband now carries the same live, delayed, and repeated matches as shown on Setanta USA (refer to the Setanta US schedule on our TV pages for that information). Subscriptions cost US$14.99 per month or $149.99 annually and may be purchased by following the highlighted link. Setanta Broadband can be viewed via computer or fed via a media center to your television. Available download speeds are 300 kbps or 600 kbps.

The match selection is awful. Why are we seeing {fill in the teams} all the time?

Since the live coverage on Setanta is new they are still finding their way with match selection. To a large degree though the choice is dictated by which matches fit their available time slots. AFANA will continue to share with both the AFL and Setanta our feedback on match choices all season. Our 2006 fan survey reaffirmed that every AFL club has a substantial following in North America. Other scheduling considerations include: ladder position at that point in the season and which clubs were on the previous one to three weeks. Even if Geelong is top of the ladder, we don't want them aired *every* week and Melbourne, at the bottom, never on. This isn't fair to anyone. Another consideration is the traditional rivalries and "blockbusters" which many fans wish to see. AFANA continuously monitors the clubs chosen, the source networks used, and the time slots selected and that information is fed back to the AFL.

For the Highlights and Match of the Week, match selection has traditionally been done by AFL Films on the Sunday (US time) prior to the next round or about 13 days before we see it. Effective with 2007, AFANA and the fans began choosing which matches MHz Networks airs on the Match of the Week chosen from the three that Setanta aired live or on delay. For the AFL Films produced Highlights, beginning with 2007, no longer features a particular match but instead cover all 8 matches in more depth and have more news of the league and the clubs than in the past.

Remember though, you may not want to see a particular club again, but we can assure you there are fans that do. Even those on the bottom of the ladder.

The matches should be on at better times.

There is no question that the better the time slot, the more people watch. Unfortunately, prime time coverage of footy will always be hard. With live matches, the AFL will cater to the home audience and that means more night matches which are on during the middle of the night US time. With taped coverage, MHz Networks schedules their matches and repeats in prime time and during the day. A peek at this year's schedule should convince you they are doing a good job of this now. MHz Networks will be airing the Match of the Week during prime time in 2008. AFANA is working with Setanta to see that the repeats are on at more reasonable times.

The announcers should be American so Americans can understand the game better.

We agree but it seems it will be a long time coming. First we have to show the coverage is self supporting and then we may be able to convince the AFL and the networks that having an American doing commentary would benefit selling the game to fans here.

I'd use the afl.com.au service but the quality is low. BitTorrents is better.

AFANA has continuously raised the quality issues with the AFL and will continue to do so. We can't endorse illegal sharing of match video by BitTorrents but we understand why frustrated fans are doing it. The best thing you can do to help us get improvements is to also tell the AFL and Telstra BigPond that the quality needs to improve if they want you as a subscriber. AFANA has made the AFL aware, and will do so again, that the changes to the service in 2006 and 2007 have made it unreliable for non-Windows XP and non-Windows Media Player users. Audio listeners with non Windows based computers should search our site for references to VLC and read the comments with those threads for help. Fans should also consider NexTV or GekTV.

Why does the AFL charge for access to the online video? It should be free.

Unfortunately, since the AFL has contracted out the operation of it's web site to Telstra and Telstra paid three cows, two chickens, and many millions of dollars for the rights, the money has to be made back somehow. Further, Telstra has guaranteed the AFL and all the clubs (except Essendon which opted out) so much per year in revenue (reportedly about A$500,000 per club per season) so that means advertising and subscriptions. Thus the charge for overseas fans. There is the legitimate need to pay for the server cost which is substantial, particularly to feed the video. AFANA does appreciate this is a problem for some fans. We'd also note that the if they made it free, then foreign TV networks such as Setanta might want it for free, too.

For now there is an alternative, you can get Setanta's coverage via GekTV, NexTV, or ConnecTV at $14.99 per month. Follow the links on our TV info page. There is one other option: if you live in the area of an America One affilaite, their coverage is mostly over the air and therefore free.

If the AFL (or AFANA) was doing it's job we wouldn't have lost coverage on Fox Soccer Channel!

It wouldn't have mattered what the AFL or AFANA did, Fox wanted FSC to be all soccer so all other sports were going to go. They said so publicly before they changed the channel name (back in February of 2005) and we reported that in our TV and Media newsletter as early as the summer of 2004. Whether changing to all soccer was a good business decision doesn't matter. Even if it was wrong, it is unlikely FSC will revert to the old format or take footy back. Their management isn't fond of Aussie Rules and has made it clear to AFANA and the AFL they didn't want it any longer. The loss of footy on FSC was not a decision made by Rupert Murdoch to slight AFL fans, it was a decision of his management at FSC that top management at News Corp decided not to override.

The AFL doesn't care about fans in North America or they would fix things. They should be on TV nationally.

While there are still folks at the AFL who think any money spent on promoting footy outside Australia is wasted, there are fewer and fewer of them. AFANA was founded in 1996, in part, due to the realization that North American footy fans cannot rely solely on the AFL to make things happen here. Fans have an obligation, too, to let networks and the AFL know we want our footy. We are one of your ways to do that and that's why we ask for your support.

The AFL would prefer to be more widely distributed on US TV but the reality is that this isn't Australia and to most network programmers here they are a niche sport from a country far away. They aren't on satellite because they (the AFL) don't care about us, but because the bigger TV networks here aren't interested (and yes they have been asked). Things won't get better until we build the fan base to several times what it is now -- and that's what AFANA is trying to do.

Both Setanta and MHz Worldview are national just not in very many homes. But then when footy went on ESPN2 in 1996 it was in 2% of American homes. When footy then went to FOX Sports World in 1998 it was in 1% of American homes. And AFANA heard pretty much the same complaints then as we hear now about Setanta and MHz. So we have to be patient and see if things improve or not and what choices are out there for future seasons.

If AFANA feels the AFL has a better chance somewhere else, you can trust we'll lobby hard to get them to do just that. We also work directly with the AFL to make sure no stone is left unturned so if tomorrow we felt some channel with better distribution was a real chance, we'd bring it to the attention of the AFL right away. Our recent efforts to find a temporary home in Canada for footy in 2007 (when Setanta Canada's launch was delayed), should be evidence of this.

We need footy to get back on Fox (or ESPN). And what about OLN or Spike? or IN DEMAND pay per view? or Comcast On Demand?

Unfortunately, none of those channels is interested in the sport at the moment. All of them were approached in 2005-2006 and all declined. AFANA works closely with the AFL to make sure no stone is left unturned. And we'll do it again next time it is necessary. For each of the past several seasons we have provided the AFL with lists of all of the potential channels that might carry footy. All were contacted and in 2006, only Setanta and MHz were interested.

Much as older fans want a return to the early days of ESPN and the coverage of those years, it isn't going to happen anytime soon. In Demand (or Comcast On Demand or Time Warner On Demand) are always a possibility but at this point we think it unlikely Setanta will on-sell the live matches to anyone else. If they did, the single game price would probably be almost as much as a full month of Setanta since In Demand or the cable company would take half of the revenue. (Note: As of November, 2008 some Comcast systems now carry Setanta Sports).

Why can't Fox Soccer Channel show footy? Fox Sports World Canada did in 2006!

(Note: FSWC chose not to continue coverage in 2007 and the rights to Canadian coverage are now held by Setanta.) Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) (formerly Fox Sports World) is owned by Fox Sports, a subsidiary of News Corp. Fox Sports World Canada (FSWC) is owned by Global TV, a subsidiary of CanWest MediaWorks. Global licenses the Fox Sports World name and content from FSC but makes their own programming decisions and follows Canadian content guidelines and regulations. Even though FSC dropped footy, the Global management likes the sport and decided to continue airing the sport and get the programs via another source rather than from FSC. So while it may seem that they are simply two sides of the same coin, they are in fact different channels controlled and programmed by different people in different countries. Further, the AFL licenses the programming by country so the AFL itself could choose not to license one or the other. In this case, FSC chose to drop the sport after the 2005 season, but FSWC chose to continue thru 2006.

The AFL should pay their way onto a major US network.

The suggestion for the AFL to pay their way on ("time-buy" in TV parlance) might work and has been thought of except that the cost would be so prohibitive the AFL would have to abandon promoting footy anywhere else in the world, and they aren't going to do that. Now if they had a sponsor to pay for it, that would solve the problem, but again they don't. So time buys are out, too, for now -- unless you happen to know a wealthy sponsor (please tell us!). Given what the AFL can now get in rights fees for North America and the UK (US$1.6 million per season), it would be foolish for them to go this route.

If ESPN Asia-Pacific win the pay-tv (cable/satellite) rights in Australia does that mean they will begin airing in the US again?

No. While it might make it somewhat more likely, the rights for each region and country are negotiated separately and just because ESPN Asia-Pacific wants footy in Australia (who doesn't??) it doesn't mean the managers of ESPN in Bristol, CT want it for the USA. In fact, they don't. So, while it makes it easier and more likely, it doesn't make it very much more likely at all. (Note: Foxtel and Austar kept the Australian rights for 2007-2011 so this question is now moot.)

Why isn't Setanta part of the sports channel packages?

Setanta has chosen as it's business model a subscription service. It's dollars and sense. If a channel is part of the "Sports Pack" then the revenue is only five to twenty five cents per subscriber per month. If however, they are subscription they get half of the monthly take or about US$7.50 per subscriber. It's easy to see that it takes a lot fewer subscribers to be viable at seven dollars than at seven cents.

If only the AFL didn't want so much money they could get on ESPN, right?

Nope. The issue isn't just money. The AFL historically lost money on the international TV coverage and only recently have the rights fees become significant. The problem is that networks such as ESPN want to either show a) the core American sports such as American football, baseball, ice hockey, and basketball or b) show something they own and keep 100% of the revenue for. Programs such as BASS fishing or internally produced programs, for example. The card game (e.g. p*ker) programs as one example, are money generators so they get air time even though some people don't consider it to be a sport. The AFL would need significant sponsorship to get on ESPN which it does not have -- even if ESPN was interested and they aren't. Yes, they have been asked every year for several years through to 2006 and consistently have said no.

Why do I have to pay for footy? It should be free.

We get this a lot, particularly from Australian ex-pats. Unfortunately, sport television here is different than down under. We've been paying for footy coverage in the US ever since it first appeared on US television in 1980 on ESPN. (And yes, you pay a hefty chunk of your basic cable or satellite fee for ESPN.). What has changed is that we now pay explicitly for Setanta. It was AFANA's assessment, which we published (and later shared with both fans and the AFL as far back as 2001) that sooner or later we would end up with footy as pay per view. There never was any chance we would get live coverage any other way. The costs of feeding the signal over to North America and then distributing it make it impossible to avoid charging for it unless you happen to know some generous sponsors. If you do, let us know, too.

Why can't we get The Footy Show?

We could get The Footy Show if a network here thought it would have a sufficient audience to justify the cost of licensing it. Remember, unlike the AFL highlight programs, it is a commercial program and it's not going to be given away for free. There is also the likely concern about the humor in the program being understood by North American audiences. Since over 70% of the viewers of the AFL programs are now American or Canadian born, any potential network would look at that. AFANA has always had this and other football programs on the table as possible future items for our "wish list" but with so many years of fighting just to keep any coverage at all, it hasn't made sense to push for this just yet. We may sometime in the next few seasons.

The quality of footy on MHz Worldview / MHz Networks via Globecast satellite or my local cable is terrible.

When MHz Worldview / MHz Networks first began distribution on a national basis the service was at too low a bit rate or too compressed so that matches sufferred from substantial digital pixellation and digital artifacts. AFANA brought this to the attention of MHz management on several occasions. Subsequently, the bit rate was increased early in 2007 on the MHz Worldview channel. If you still experience this problem, please let AFANA know and we will pass that on to MHz Networks.

Is Setanta Sports shown in any bars or pubs?

Yes, it is, though most of the bars and pubs may not know the channel carries Australian football. They may also be confused by the difference between Setanta Sports (via DirecTV) and the Setanta pay per view choices. If the bar gets Setanta Sports via DirecTV or DISH Network then they get the Aussie rules coverage and don't have to pay anything more. Remember, you don't have to sell the pub on Australian football, you just need them to put Setanta up on a TV at the right times. Setanta has a Venue Finder online you can check for a local establishments where you can watch footy. AFANA will have a package of downloadable materials available soon to assist you in dealing with local pubs and getting them on-board.

Will HD (High Definition) telecasts of the AFL be available soon? For the Grand Final?

We do not expect HD coverage of the AFL to be available this year, including of the Grand Final. Once the HD transition is further along in the US and begins to take further hold in Australia, we imagine that HD coverage of the AFL will happen in due course. Setanta may well launch an HD feed in the next year or two. Many of the matches are recorded in high resolution digital now so it is feasible. One obstacle to live HD is the increased transmission cost of the signal in HD. Given how expensive live coverage is, it's not financially feasible for 2008 but perhaps is more likely for 2009 or 2010.

Will there be another exhibition in North America after the 2008 season?

The AFL discussed a possible exhibition for January, 2008, in Los Angeles but the logistics and financing weren't there. There was some discussion of an exhibition in 2009, possibly in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida but nothing was announced. After the Los Angeles match in 2006, we were told that it might be 2 to 4 years before another match is held in North America. We can't confirm that an exhibition will be played in the US in 2009 or 2010 and the AFL hasn't made any official announcement.

Why was information so sparse from AFANA regarding the lead up to the exhibition?

AFANA did not receive full cooperation from the organizers either before or during the 2006 exhibition and despite repeated requests, information was hard to come by. Hopefully, the organizers will be better listeners next time around and be more cooperative with media outlets including AFANA.

AFANA was too critical of the exhibition. You wanted it to be something it wasn't.

What we were critical of was the poor organization, terrible cooperation with the media, and that the organizers ignored our warnings of potential problems, some of which we published 2 or more years earlier. We were not alone in our assessment, but only we published the criticism. Other web sites and some major Australian media wouldn't publish what they really thought for fear of offending the AFL. You count on AFANA for being straight with you and we were. We would also point out that we felt that some of the rumored fees paid to UCLA for hosting the event were enough to fund footy in North America for several seasons. If that much was to be spent, more should have been expected and achieved. We don't believe holding an exhibition just to placate a few Los Angeles based Aussie ex-pats is, by itself, enough to justify the costs involved. The future of footy in North America deserves more than that. If $1 million is to be spent, then we should see real, tangible benefits to the sport here not just expensive entertainment for a few.

You have no clout with the AFL. You didn't {fill in the blank} like I expected you to.

We only have as much clout as our members and supporters give us. To get the AFL or anyone else to pay attention to fans requires that you support what we do, including financially. Even then, if the AFL or media companies do not see any value in working with us or the fans agenda doesn't match their own, they may choose to ignore us. The good news is that the AFL does listen to us, but that doesn't mean they always do what we want them to. It's getting better slowly. Today, AFANA has a better working relationship with the AFL than at anytime in our history.

Television Info - Aussie Rules TV Coverage for North America in 2011

admincms — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 10:29:59 -0500

Australian Rules Football Television Coverage in 2011

We have full schedules at this link.
We have our TV Q & A at the TV FAQ page.
We have weekly radio listings for the AFL at our AFL Radio page

This page will give you the basic facts you need to know about TV Coverage in the USA and Canada in 2011. (Information will be updated as necessary throughout the 2011 season.) For the latest schedules see the TV schedules page. Nationwide coverage of Aussie rules in 2011 for North American fans is as follows: (Updates for 2011 now in progress, so check back around the season start for any changes.)

ESPN3, ESPN2, and ESPN Classic (nationally in USA - for Canada see below). Most coverage is on ESPN3. ESPN3.com is the broadband internet service of ESPN. It is available to users with a broadband connection and suitable computer (Adobe Flash required) and is free if your internet service provider (ISP) supports it. About 50% of US homes can get this free service (go to ESPN3 ISP List to see if your internet provider is included). ESPN3 is also free over college campus networks and to the military. (On 4 April 2010, ESPN3.com changed names from ESPN360.com but coverage didn't change.) ESPN3 has 3 matches live per week and matches are available for replay for 48 hours following the starting time of the original netcast, after that they will not be listed or available on the ESPN3 web site. ESPN2 is one of the broadcast channels of ESPN and available on most cable and satellite systems. ESPN2 will have the 2011 Grand Final live and 3 selected matches live or nearly live during the course of the season. See our TV schedules page for the latest schedules.

There is AFL coverage also on...
MHz Worldview (nationally in USA by satellite, locally by cable, or digital TV in cities listed, and on the Roku digital TV box). It is also available on free to air satellite on Galaxy 19, Transponder 27, channel 949 (see MHz on Galaxy). Schedules are the same nationally, so adjust for your time zone. Coverage on MHz Worldview, and MHz Networks 1 consists of taped one hour FOX Sports "AFL Winners" program (replaces AFL Highlights shown in earlier years) and taped 3 hour "Match of the Week" edited matches running one week behind. Cities where MHz Worldview is available include (corrections and updates welcome):
WNVC (digital ch. 30.1), Comcast cable (ch. 271), Cox cable (ch.430), RCN cable (ch.30), and Verizon FiOS (ch. 451) in Washington, DC;

Comcast cable (ch. 76) in Minneapolis, MN and Comcast cable (ch. 20) in St. Paul, MN;

WEIU (digital ch. 51.2), Comcast cable (ch. 418), and Time Warner cable (ch. 351) in Charleston, IL;

KCSM (digital ch. 43.2) in San Francisco, CA;

KBTC in Seattle / Tacoma, WA (digital ch. 28.2) and on Click! Network cable (ch. 454) or Centralia, WA (digital ch. 15.4);

WYCC-TV (digital ch. 20.3) in Chicago, IL;

WHTJ-TV (digital ch. 41.3) and Comcast cable (ch. 201) in Charlottesville, VA;

KUEN-TV (digital ch. 9.2) and Comcast cable (ch. 114) in Salt Lake City, UT (weekends overnight only);

KBDI-TV (digital ch. 12.3) in Denver, CO;

WDCQ-TV (digital ch. 19.1) and Charter Cable (ch. 433) in Flint, MI;

WCVE-TV (digital ch. 23.3) and Comcast cable (ch. 202) in Richmond, VA;

Student Cable (ch. 182) at Stanford Univ, Palo Alto, CA;

WDSC-TV (digital ch. 15.3) and Brighthouse Cable (ch. 1153) in Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Melbourne, FL (6P-6A and weekends only);

Cox Cable (ch. 114) in Las Vegas, NV;

KMOS-TV (digital ch. 6.3) and Mediacom cable (ch. 86) in Warrensburg, MO;

KSMQ-TV (digital ch. 15.2) and Charter cable (ch. 397) in Austin / Rochester, MN;

WLAE-TV (digital ch. 32.2) in New Orleans, LA;

KTWU-TV (digital ch. 11.2) and Cox cable (ch. 671) in Topeka, KS;

WNEO-TV (digital ch. 45.3) and Time Warner cable (ch. 369) in Youngstown, OH;

WEAO-TV (digital ch. 49.3), Time Warner cable (ch. 369), Armstrong cable (ch. 417),.in Akron, Canton, and Cleveland, OH and Massillon cable (ch.85) in Massillon, OH;

WGVU-TV (ch. 35.2) / WGVK-TV (ch. 52.3) and Charter cable (ch. 137) in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek, MI;

WGPT-TV (digital ch. 24.2) and Mediacom cable (ch. 116) in Moline and Quad Cities, IL (overnight and weekends only);

KCET-TV (digital ch. 28.4), Charter cable (ch. 311), Comcast cable (126), Cox cable (ch. 105), and Time Warner cable (ch. 236) in Los Angeles, CA;

WTVI-TV (digital ch. 42.2) and Time Warner (ch. 175) in Charlotte, NC;

Comcast cable (ch. 15 and 31) in Lansing, MI;

WNPT-TV (digital ch. 8.2), Comcast cable (ch. 241), and Charter cable (ch. 176) in Nashville, TN;

WCFE-TV (digital ch. 57.2) in Plattsburgh, NY;

KWSU-TV (digital ch. 10.1), KTNW-TV (digital ch. 31.3), Time Warner cable (ch. 10, 710), and Comcast cable (ch. 18) in Spokane, Pullman, and Yakima, WA;

KVCR-TV (digital ch. 24.2) in San Bernardino, CA;

WYBE-TV aka MiNDTV (digital ch. 35.3) in Philadelphia, PA;

Atlantic cable (ch. 79) and Comcast cable (ch. 79) in Miami, FL (overnight and weekends only);

and DirecTV (international package only, ch. 2183 and requires special dish); all with the same schedule as MHz Worldview.

MHz Worldview is also available on the Roku Digital Video Player. For $59.95 to $99.95, depending on the model, you can get Mhz for free over Roku. Go to the Roku site to learn more.

We try to keep this listing current but please check http://www.mhznetworks.org/mhzworldview/carriage/ for the latest in affiliate updates.
Washington DC area viewers (only) on MHz Networks 1 via WNVC-TV (digital 30.1) over the air and via digital cable. For more information on where to find MHz in the DC area see: http://www.mhznetworks.org/how-to-watch-mhz/
TSN Canada (TSN2 and TSN,ca) (nationally in Canada) carries one match per week on TSN2 on a live or delayed basis. That match is then available on demand on TSN.ca but only for 48 hours following the match start time. TSN2 is available on many cable and satellite systems in Canada. Coverage of the Grand Final will probably be live on TSN2.
Internet coverage: In addition to ESPN3 mentioned above, there is delayed coverage of all 8 matches per round via the LiveAFL TV service (which replaced Aussie Sport TV which in turn replaced the old Telstra / BigPond service for international fans but has similar content). Matches not aired on ESPN3 are available live. This is a subscription service for video and fans can sign up here. Subscriptions can be by round, month, or annual (US$79.95). Matches are available no earlier than 12 hours after the conclusion of a match though fans report longer delays in many cases. Early reports indicate the service does work on non-Windows PC's including Macs now. (Disclaimer: AFANA benefits from subscriptions made through the links on our site to ASTV and it helps support what we do for fans.)
ESPN3 and TSN.ca matches on demand are available only for 48 hours after the starting time of the match (by the clock). This means that if the match begins at 5:00 AM Friday US time, it will only be available until 5:00 AM Sunday US time.

Some fans are connecting their computers to the their televisions to watch the matches from the online services on a bigger screen. (Sorry, we cannot offer technical advice on how to do this but feel free to ask for assistance from other fans in our discussion forums by clicking on "Talking Footy" on the drop down menu and following the links.)

Fans on the extreme west coast of North America and in Hawaii may be able to access the Australian Broadcasting Company's Australia Network. The Australia Network provides live coverage of 5 or more AFL games per week. This games are available "free to air" (FTA) however a very large (up to 9 ft diameter) pointable dish is required on the US west coast due to the low angle of the satellites on the horizon and the weak signal. Access in Hawaii is possible with 3 ft diameter dishes. For more information and schedules see the ABC web site. For more information on FTA satellite reception see the links below. As far as we know, the Australia Network is not available on any US or Canadian cable or satellite system nor is distribution planned.

There is no coverage on Fox Sports Net, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports World Canada, and Setanta Sports in 2011. The coverage schedules on ESPN, TSN, and MHz Worldview are the same everywhere in the USA and Canada respectively. There are no regional feeds of those channels. In other words, you get the same programs at the same times (adjusted for your time zone) regardless of what state, province, or city you live in.

To get Roku check out this link
Roku

To get DirecTV check out this link:
DirecTV

To get DISH Network check out this link:
DISH

To get Free to Air satellite check out these links:
MHz on Galaxy 19
Sadoun Sales (installer and hardware provider): http://www.sadoun.com/
Aeonsat (hardware provider) http://www.aeonsat.com
A FTA system installed will cost about $200 or so.