Why the inconsistent start times?

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Does anyone know why the first three games of the season, all night games in the same city, started at three different times? Wednesday was 7.10pm, Thursday 7.25pm and Friday 7.50pm.

Seems a crazy way to run a business to me. Whether its an AFL or a Channel 7 decision, I would have thought consistency makes it easier for supporters who attend and TV viewers to commit to going or watching. 

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,083]

Because of the end times. If The Wednesday night game started at 7:50 it would have finished at 10:30 which is late for a workday

[MT64 1,144]

7 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Does anyone know why the first three games of the season, all night games in the same city, started at three different times? Wednesday was 7.10pm, Thursday 7.25pm and Friday 7.50pm.

Seems a crazy way to run a business to me. Whether its an AFL or a Channel 7 decision, I would have thought consistency makes it easier for supporters who attend and TV viewers to commit to going or watching. 

7:10 as they felt guilty kids had to go to school the next day. Saw a lot of families leave at half time. At least they got to see the unfurling of the flag. Those kids who saw it will brag for a while.

[Chook 15,012]

1 hour ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

Because of the end times. If The Wednesday night game started at 7:50 it would have finished at 10:30 which is late for a workday

Every night game should start at 7:10

[Gorgoroth 12,924]

Also with Daylight savings etc that affects our viewing times of games like the 8:10 start in QLD tonight.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,083]

I remember hearing somewhere that the 7.50 Friday start is due to the popularity of a program that finishes at 7.30. We hardly need any more proof that TV runs the game ... So I suspect the real reason is "TV schedules" more than anything else. 

[titan_uranus 24,974]

The answer to the OP's question is the same as the answer to many questions about current day AFL practices.

TV.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

12 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

The answer to the OP's question is the same as the answer to many questions about current day AFL practices.

TV.

Why would TV want three different start times? I accept that TV is probably the answer, but to me that suggests wholesale mis-management of the TV rights by the TV network. Surely there is a "right time" and that "right time" shouldn't chop and change because of the day of the week. I agree that different start times might impact on attendances, but how does it affect viewing audiences on TV?

[old dee 23,781]

5 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Why would TV want three different start times? I accept that TV is probably the answer, but to me that suggests wholesale mis-management of the TV rights by the TV network. Surely there is a "right time" and that "right time" shouldn't chop and change because of the day of the week. I agree that different start times might impact on attendances, but how does it affect viewing audiences on TV?

To fit in with their other best rating shows. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Whoa! I've just discovered our game tomorrow starts at 7.20pm not the usual Friday night start time of 7.50pm. I wonder how many people will turn up late or miss the first part of the game on TV?

I'm going, but had plans in place to get there with 10 minutes to spare...for a 7.50pm start. Thankfully, I can change my plans so will be there on time.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,777]

20 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Whoa! I've just discovered our game tomorrow starts at 7.20pm not the usual Friday night start time of 7.50pm.

 

To cater for the late starting Adelaide V Port game.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

7 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

To cater for the late starting Adelaide V Port game.

How does that help? By reducing overlap by 30 minutes?

I understand that the two Friday night games were to assist the AFLW when the Grand Final had been scheduled for this Saturday afternoon. But my point has always been a general one, and not just about tomorrow night - I believe start times being inconsistent are bad for football. People expect consistency in scheduling rather than irregularity.

I predict that the talkback shows on Saturday will have callers complaining about missing the start of our game because they had assumed it would start at 7.50pm.

[old dee 23,781]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

How does that help? By reducing overlap by 30 minutes?

I understand that the two Friday night games were to assist the AFLW when the Grand Final had been scheduled for this Saturday afternoon. But my point has always been a general one, and not just about tomorrow night - I believe start times being inconsistent are bad for football. People expect consistency in scheduling rather than irregularity.

I predict that the talkback shows on Saturday will have callers complaining about missing the start of our game because they had assumed it would start at 7.50pm.

Is there anyone in 2022 who assumes anything about which day a game is played or at what time? After the last two seasons I am never sure that a game will even happen. 

[Bendigo_Demon 391]

Hi Everyone, I am watching the footy tonight and Fox Footy are advertising the Melbourne vs Bombers game starting at 6.30pm followed by the Showdown at 8.30pm. My ticket says start time is 7.20pm. Can anyone confirm the start time for me please?

[praha 11,236]

It's definitely 7:20pm start. Power vs Crows is 8:20pm start. Melbourne time.

[BLWNBA 928]

36 minutes ago, Bendigo_Demon said:

Hi Everyone, I am watching the footy tonight and Fox Footy are advertising the Melbourne vs Bombers game starting at 6.30pm followed by the Showdown at 8.30pm. My ticket says start time is 7.20pm. Can anyone confirm the start time for me please?

Telecast begins at 6.30PM on Fox. 

[Ethan Tremblay 30,826]

It’s on at 5.20pm in Perth. But don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending. 

Edited March 31, 2022 by Ethan Tremblay

[58er 6,389]

6 hours ago, Bendigo_Demon said:

Hi Everyone, I am watching the footy tonight and Fox Footy are advertising the Melbourne vs Bombers game starting at 6.30pm followed by the Showdown at 8.30pm. My ticket says start time is 7.20pm. Can anyone confirm the start time for me please?

Fox Footy start their coverage at 6.30 pm after AFL Tonight.  That's their ploy to get viewers early and not go back to Ch 7 after news or whatever !! At 7 pm. 
If you look at the game day or MFC team listing the game time start is always given correctly. 
Don't be fooled the AFL also jump about with starting times just to keep us on our toes !!

[58er 6,389]

9 hours ago, old dee said:

Is there anyone in 2022 who assumes anything about which day a game is played or at what time? After the last two seasons I am never sure that a game will even happen. 

That's  very strange OD. 

Both 2020 and 2021 have been completed and signed off as "done and dustied" by the Tigers.

And you are well aware that despite the revelry and celebration of our Demon masses the games finished in 2021 on that last Saturday in September!! 

So your assertion that " a game will even happen " is totally incorrect.

What is more accurate is "when it will happen"  as we all understand what Covid ( sorry to mention) has affected even the AFL.

BTW have you actually  got to the G yet? 
Threatened  for late July etc. last year but no games had spectators. 

Did you get to the Grand Final replay in Round1  ?
Or even to the Dec 5 celebrations? 

[forever demons 2,220]

50 minutes ago, 58er said:

That's  very strange OD. 

Both 2020 and 2021 have been completed and signed off as "done and dustied" by the Tigers.

And you are well aware that despite the revelry and celebration of our Demon masses the games finished in 2021 on that last Saturday in September!! 

So your assertion that " a game will even happen " is totally incorrect.

What is more accurate is "when it will happen"  as we all understand what Covid ( sorry to mention) has affected even the AFL.

BTW have you actually  got to the G yet? 
Threatened  for late July etc. last year but no games had spectators. 

Did you get to the Grand Final replay in Round1  ?
Or even to the Dec 5 celebrations? 

Why are you always so testy

[MT64 1,144]

1 hour ago, 58er said:

Fox Footy start their coverage at 6.30 pm after AFL Tonight.  That's their ploy to get viewers early and not go back to Ch 7 after news or whatever !! At 7 pm. 
If you look at the game day or MFC team listing the game time start is always given correctly. 
Don't be fooled the AFL also jump about with starting times just to keep us on our toes !!

Who in their right mind, if watching Fox would turn to Ch 7 to watch the match. After a goal ADS ADS ADS whereas you get to see more celebrations, more commentary and speaking of which Fox's commentary is street's ahead of Ch 7's UNLESS of course they take direct feed from 7. UGH.

[Lucifers Hero 39,597]

1 hour ago, 58er said:

BTW have you actually  got to the G yet? 

Threatened  for late July etc. last year but no games had spectators. 

Did you get to the Grand Final replay in Round1  ?
Or even to the Dec 5 celebrations? 

Back off.  od has health issues and there are risks for him going to a football game/stadium.

Edited March 31, 2022 by Lucifers Hero

[old dee 23,781]

3 hours ago, 58er said:

That's  very strange OD. 

Both 2020 and 2021 have been completed and signed off as "done and dustied" by the Tigers.

And you are well aware that despite the revelry and celebration of our Demon masses the games finished in 2021 on that last Saturday in September!! 

So your assertion that " a game will even happen " is totally incorrect.

What is more accurate is "when it will happen"  as we all understand what Covid ( sorry to mention) has affected even the AFL.

BTW have you actually  got to the G yet? 
Threatened  for late July etc. last year but no games had spectators. 

Did you get to the Grand Final replay in Round1  ?
Or even to the Dec 5 celebrations? 

For your information I went to the Dec 5 shindig and enjoyed it. I went to the Roos Hawks game in round 1 with a good friend. But I still avoid big attendance games / night games. They are just not suitable for me. Have a nice day  

[58er 6,389]

4 hours ago, MT64 said:

Who in their right mind, if watching Fox would turn to Ch 7 to watch the match. After a goal ADS ADS ADS whereas you get to see more celebrations, more commentary and speaking of which Fox's commentary is street's ahead of Ch 7's UNLESS of course they take direct feed from 7. UGH.

Well Fox does On Thurs Fri and Sat night and 3.20 Sunday ( AEDT ) take the great commentaries from BT and Co. 

[MT64 1,144]

5 hours ago, 58er said:

Well Fox does On Thurs Fri and Sat night and 3.20 Sunday ( AEDT ) take the great commentaries from BT and Co. 

Your right now as we are the flavour of the month but previously when we were on 503 we had the Fox crew. Having said that I have noticed BT seems to have toned it down a bit this year Might be my selective hearing.