The AFL don't get it. They are busy trying to develop New Coke while other sports are simply getting the basics right.

No changes other than one less game on FTA and more money for the AFL.

Foxtel can sell on the Saturday afternoon game to another network whenever they want.

No progress with any digital platforms.

When asked about the possibility of broadcasting in HD on FTA, Stokes said "Yes", then said they'd look into it, technical issues blah blah.

WILL FOOTY BE BROADCAST IN HD?

Yes. Foxtel has made high definition coverage available to subscribers for a number of seasons and now the Seven Network has joined the party.

Network chairman Kerry Stokes said HD would be introduced "certainly" from the start of 2017, with a slight possibility it may start next season.

- See more at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-18/fans-fiveminute-guide-to-broadcast-deal#sthash.UH6oJe4Q.dpuf

Would love a proper streaming service but the AFL are still a while away from leaving the dark ages. Im glad we get it in HD finally. The fact that we've been able to watch a central coast mariners and perth glory A-league game in stunning HD on SBS for years while watching blocky grainy vision of the countries premiers sport has been a joke.

Fox have the option of renting the Saturday arvo (3:20) timeslot game to a FTA carrier (interestingly I think it's only this game they can rent to another network).

Expect a bidding war between 9 and 10 and for us to get the additional FTA game on Saturday afternoon back at some stage.

Edited August 19, 201510 yr by ChaserJ

Expect a bidding war between 9 and 10 and for us to get the additional FTA game on Saturday afternoon back at some stage.

It will most likely go to Channel Ten as Foxtel are now a shareholder of them.

it's been a big day.

the devil, as they say, will be in the detail.

i also believe the $2B will be for a 6yr deal instead of 5yr deal as before

so the value compared to previous deal is $1.67B vs $1.25B (over 5 years) effectively a 1/3rd increase

So $2.5bn for 6 yrs compared with $1.25bn for 4 yrs (2012-2016). That's $416m a year compared to $312m a year.

Very handy increase and being for longer provides a lot more certainty. Just have to stop pizzing it up against the wall on GWS and GC.

Stokes and Murdoch looked simply over the moon, full of joie de vive,and the thrill of big business.

Wonder if they made money angels on the carpet after the presser?

As expected, Telstra have the digital rights.

I can't find the details on if it's just the digital MOBILE rights, which they currently have and use as an excuse not to stream in anything not resembling a pixellated blur, or FULL digital rights.

I hope that Foxtel/Newscorp elect to sell those Saturday games to Channel 10/Newscorp.

WILL FOOTY BE BROADCAST IN HD?

Yes. Foxtel has made high definition coverage available to subscribers for a number of seasons and now the Seven Network has joined the party.

Network chairman Kerry Stokes said HD would be introduced "certainly" from the start of 2017, with a slight possibility it may start next season.

- See more at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-18/fans-fiveminute-guide-to-broadcast-deal#sthash.UH6oJe4Q.dpuf

From Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Communications yesterday on Twitter:

The Gov wants to give TV networks the option to b'cast the #afl and #nrl grandfinals in HD on their main channel

If anyone can work out what that means, please enlighten me. "Wants to give..." What does that mean? That it needs the support of the Parliament?

So $2.5bn for 6 yrs compared with $1.25bn for 4 yrs (2012-2016). That's $416m a year compared to $312m a year.

Very handy increase and being for longer provides a lot more certainty. Just have to stop pizzing it up against the wall on GWS and GC.

don't hold your breath jnr

BUY ETIHAD STADIUM AFL

NOW...

From Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Communications yesterday on Twitter:

The Gov wants to give TV networks the option to b'cast the #afl and #nrl grandfinals in HD on their main channel

If anyone can work out what that means, please enlighten me. "Wants to give..." What does that mean? That it needs the support of the Parliament?

gov regulators had some rule (supposedly) that the private tv channels had to keep their main channel at SD due to many customer receivers not being able to receive HD in the initial stages of the changeover to digital-only.

obviously this is now less of a concern due to the small no. of SD-capable only customer so the regulators are relaxing the restriction

at least this what they are saying. I'd never heard of this regulation previously

As expected, Telstra have the digital rights.

I can't find the details on if it's just the digital MOBILE rights, which they currently have and use as an excuse not to stream in anything not resembling a pixellated blur, or FULL digital rights.

I hope that Foxtel/Newscorp elect to sell those Saturday games to Channel 10/Newscorp.

It looks like they will do both mobile and TV - from the Age:-

"Telstra will pay about $300 million of the record deal over the six years, and broadcast AFL matches over its planned Telstra TV service and to handsets and digital devices"

It will probably be for Bigpond/T-box/Smart TV customers and will have a fee.

But all this and the competition in other pay-tv area like Netflix, Presto etc may 'force' Foxtel to repackage its sports products to be more accessible.

So, without predicting technology and service changes, I think that come 2017 we will have a lot more options to watch all AFL games on a TV.

Edited August 19, 201510 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Thanks dc. Reading between the lines, because it's an independent regulator's decision the Minister realises he can't instruct the regulator what to do so has couched his expression as a "want" rather than an instruction. Makes sense now.

gov regulators had some rule (supposedly) that the private tv channels had to keep their main channel at SD due to many customer receivers not being able to receive HD in the initial stages of the changeover to digital-only.

obviously this is now less of a concern due to the small no. of SD-capable only customer so the regulators are relaxing the restriction

at least this what they are saying. I'd never heard of this regulation previously

Not sure how it's even an issue.

Do SD on the main channel, and simulcast in HD on 7Two or whatever.

Stick a little occasional notice on the main channel saying "go to 7Two for HD" and off we go.

Everybody wins.

Happy that they will be doing HD soon though. They should have done it a long long time ago.

Not sure how it's even an issue.

Do SD on the main channel, and simulcast in HD on 7Two or whatever.

Stick a little occasional notice on the main channel saying "go to 7Two for HD" and off we go.

Everybody wins.

Happy that they will be doing HD soon though. They should have done it a long long time ago.

choke, i think that tv content that comes under the anti-siphoning umbrella has to be available on the prime channel

Not sure how it's even an issue.

Do SD on the main channel, and simulcast in HD on 7Two or whatever.

Stick a little occasional notice on the main channel saying "go to 7Two for HD" and off we go.

Everybody wins.

Happy that they will be doing HD soon though. They should have done it a long long time ago.

So have two of the three channels playing the same thing?

I don't think that is a winning argument.

choke, i think that tv content that comes under the anti-siphoning umbrella has to be available on the prime channel

Not if you are in a weaker market...

i hope this doesn't affect re-runs of Black Gold and Ice-Road Truckers.

i hope this doesn't affect re-runs of Black Gold and Ice-Road Truckers.

or tattoo rescue and embarrassing bodies

So have two of the three channels playing the same thing?

I don't think that is a winning argument.

Why not?

If the laws won't let Channel 7 do the grand final in HD on the main channel, simulcasting on 7Two with HD seems the perfect solution to me.

or tattoo rescue and embarrassing bodies

What annoys me most is when Brandon just walks off the rig whenever he feels like it.

So $2.5bn for 6 yrs compared with $1.25bn for 4 yrs (2012-2016). That's $416m a year compared to $312m a year.

Very handy increase and being for longer provides a lot more certainty. Just have to stop pizzing it up against the wall on GWS and GC.

It's doubtful the deal would have been done if these teams were not part of the AFL.

Not saying I like it but it is the reality.

It seems that legislation is needed to allow HD broadcasts of the AFL and NRL Grand Finals after all. From Malcolm Turnbull's Twitter a few minutes ago:

Malcolm Turnbull ‏@TurnbullMalcolm 9m9 minutes ago

Introducing the Bill which will enable main TV channels to be in HD in time for the grand finals #AFL #NRL http://malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/second-reading-broadcasting-legislation-amendment-bill-2015 …

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