Coverage to Return to FOX Sports in 2003

Footy Is Back!

As we have been reporting since November, AFANA learned that FOX Sports World (US) (FSWLD) dropped coverage of Australian football. We are now able to report that a tentative deal was reached in the past week. We first heard this a few days ago but have held this news so that we could confirm the deal with all parties concerned. It appears that once contracts are signed we may see the same coverage as last year on FOX Sports World, FOX Sports World Canada (FSWC), and on MHz Networks, the parent of WNVC and WNVT in Washington, DC.

Recent Developments

Our first clues came in reports late last week that FSWC had resumed negotiations for TV coverage in Canada. Recent notes to fans included this to Paul W.: "... in addition we were notified today that FSWC will be getting the broadcast rights to air Aussie Rules Football, negotiations are currently taking place." and this from Jon Goodspeed at FSWC to Robert D.: "We are in negotiations to acquire the broadcasting rights for Aussie Rules Football. Please contact as the season approaches to confirm the status of our negotiations." Then this week we received word that a possible deal had been reached thru sources in touch with FSI and USfooty. Within minutes of that word, the AFL contacted our representative in Melbourne to tell us that: "I have received confirmation from [FSI]...[they have] received written confirmation from the guy who is signing the contract that it will be going ahead exactly the same as last year...". The following day brought a direct message from FSI to AFANA: "It does look like things have been worked out with World and World Canada (I can't speak for MHz). I will be able to confirm once contracts are signed."

AFANA subsequently contacted all of the networks. FOX Sports World responded by telling AFANA when we asked if a deal was close: "It is looking that way but the deal is not 100% confirmed. I would say barring any major changes we will be airing highlights and matches as in the past." FOX Sports World Canada replied by saying: "Yes. I was pleased to receive a call last week asking if we were still interested in acquiring the new season. Of course we were. There are still a few issues to be resolved, but I am "cautiously optimistic" as they say." We've not yet received an official response from MHz networks however they told fan Michael W: "I checked with our program director, and we are planning to carry the Aussie Rules Football this year. It will start around the first week in April. I'll definitely alert viewers in the e-mail newsletter."

Early indications from FOX Sports World are that the two hour Match of the Week will air Thursdays 11:00 pm ET (same as last year) with repeats at 2:00 pm ET on Friday. The one hour highlight show will generally run at 4:00 am ET Friday and repeated at 4:00 pm ET.

Support from high in the FOX organization undoubtedly helped our cause. According to a post by Andrew Butcher of NewsCorp at:
http://www.matesupover.com/Mates_Board_New/webbbs_config.cgi?read=27447
"...Lachlan Murdoch knew nothing about the footy being taken off and was very keen to get it back on. There will also be Rugby League coverage thanks to his input." We have our doubts though the poster's comment that "...It had slipped through a crack..." is entirely accurate.

Just before press time the AFL added this: "Where we stand at the moment is that we have written confirmation from Fox, although no contract has been signed as yet. [FSI] believes that short of a disaster there will be no problems and they [FSWLD and FSWC] will continue to receive the same programs as last year. We are all delighted at the outcome and [we] should really make mention of the hard work that Sonya [from FSI] has done to achieve this end. She tried every possible scenario and finally came up with one that worked." The AFL also asked us to mention that they worked very hard with FSI to resolve the problem.

Fans Support Crucial

Fans have played a significant role in keeping this issue alive and in pushing the various parties toward an agreement. From earlier reports we felt that the AFL had taken a hands off attitude toward the situation. This was reinforced by reports of a meeting involving some top AFL officials including Ross Smith, head of game development and Ben Buckley, head of commercial operations (under which international TV is handled). Comments relayed to us about this meeting included comments that "they (the AFL) had been paid by FOX Sports International (FSI) and whether FSI telecast AFL through its affiliate stations is up to them, the AFL has the money and that's the end of it... The outcome was that there didn't seem to be much interest in broadcasting the AFL into North America."

In fairness, at the same time AFANA received was told by the AFL the following: "...We fully appreciate your concern and frustration regarding the situation of non-TV coverage in North America and I assure you that it is being treated as a priority issue here at the AFL. ... we, along with FSI are working very hard to get something in place and are still hopeful we will be able to secure a deal before the commencement of the 2003 Premiership Season. ...Also should any fans feel inclined, letters of support for AFL being aired on Fox, could be sent directly to Fox Sports World. ... we appreciate the potential setback to the development of the game in North America without TV coverage and we really are pulling out all stops to rectify the situation...".

Fan reaction to the decision by FSWLD to drop footy and launch a sports themed soap opera called "Dream Team" was predictably intense. Some of the recent messages to FOX included these excerpts: " ... I was very unhappy with interspersing the almost-X-rated "Girls Gone Wild" commercials in between halves of rugby games. It's unfortunate that I can't leave the room with my nine-year-old son watching a rugby game. Now, your new "Dream Team" series comes on. I understand the need for ratings, but is it really necessary to show semi-pornographic "dramas" on a network that is supposed to be dedicated to sports? My estimation of Fox Sports World has always been a clean sports network that doesn't bring in the sexually-oriented features (e.g. barely- clad XFL-style cheerleaders) of other networks. It is unfortunate if your wonderful network will become just one of the others...." from fans Gary B.

Fan Beverley H. wrote: "I pay a premium to get your channel in order to watch Australian football. I hear you are replacing it with a soap opera. Why on earth should I pay to see the same drivel that is on all the free stations? Australian football is worth watching and without it I don't intend to continue paying for your channel." and fan John F. told FSWLD: "I've just learned that FSW has decided to drop Aussie Rules in favor of some idiotic sports soap opera. I find this unbelievable. ... The addition of fake pseudo- sports programming is a big step backward--especially when it comes at the expense of eliminating coverage of an entire sport to do so."

Background and What Fans Should Do:

FSI (based in London, UK) has the worldwide syndication rights thru the 2006 season as part of the AFL's 2002-2006 domestic TV contract. It is FSI that is immediately responsible (not the AFL) for finding a new home for footy in the US. It continues to be important for fans to make their voices heard until we know that contracts have been signed. Messages should now thank the networks for restoring coverage. Further critical messages will not be helpful. We suggest that fans:

a.) Contact FOX Sports World or FSWC and let them know you are glad footy is back. b.) Contact the AFL and let them know fans in the US and Canada appreciate getting their footy in 2003!

To make things easier we have a new contact page with all the info you need to do this (opens in a separate window):
http://www.afana.com/2003contacts.shtml
or save time and use our easy online mailing service to e- mail any and all networks and the AFL:
http://www.afana.com/af_getfooty03.shtml

Please copy (cc:) AFANA on your e-mail messages and send us copies of any responses. This is very important so that we can coordinate everyone's actions and narrow our focus as we go forward. It also helps us identify if broadcasters or the AFL are giving out different stories to different fans. Every message or contact is seen as the equivalent of 1,000 viewers so your voice counts!

Please be courteous and polite in any messages.

Internet Coverage

Once again this season, the AFL web site will again offer an audio and video subscription package.  We're gathering more details on this but at present we can tell you that the annual cost is A$49.95 or about US$30.00 for the season and that will go up A$10 next month. There are new subscription packages in 2003. The Audio / Video Pass will give you access to all audio and video across the AFL and all Club sites. With this package you have the option to sign up for one week (7 days), one month (calendar month, e.g. 15 Jan to 15 Feb), or one year. This package most closely resembles the Legend Package from last year. The second offering is the Audio Pass, which gives you access to all audio across the AFL and all Club sites. With this package, there is only an annual option available. This package did not exist last year, but was added based on feedback from fans who are just interested in the audio, specifically radio broadcasts. Match audio will be available live, but full video replays of matches will be available on a twenty-four hour delay only. Users who subscribe now get immediate access including the Wizard Home Loan competition. The audio only or partial year packages will be available beginning in mid-March. As last year, the main package includes access to highlights of the weekend action and a summary of the weekend games, interviews with players and coaches, behind the scenes video plus live radio coverage of games. This season the video will be produced by AFL Films. Reportedly, Telstra has upgraded it's server support to avoid the connection problems of last season.

AFANA's concern with this as an alternative to TV coverage is not that the product isn't good or the price is unfair. Rather it doesn't solve the problem of the average fan. According to a recent UCLA study just 14% of US residents have high speed connections, without which the online video is useless. Canada isn't much better. Further, for many fans watching 2 hours of a small, choppy video on a computer monitor is tedious at best. If you have a suitable computer and a broadband connection the packages are probably a good deal. (And memberships in AFANA are even cheaper!)

Thanks!

AFANA wishes to thank all of the fans who contacted the networks and the AFL expressing their desire for footy on TV this season. We'd also like to thank our staff including Ann Solomon, Lisa Harris and Jane Woolard (both in Melbourne), and members of our board for their help and support. Thanks go to FSI and USfooty for their cooperation. Once again the footy community demonstrated that we are powerful voice for the sport we love.