Agree. At the moment, TNF comes at the expense of the Sunday 3:20pm game when it’s a round where Seven only airs 3 games.
If Seven (if Foxtel and them do retain the rights) can’t increase the total number of home and away games they show, reckon they would much prefer:
So maybe Thursday Nights and Sunday Arvo on Seven, then Friday and Saturday nights on Ten?
Yes, they did the pre-game presentation and half time at ground level.
When the double header is played, yes played in Perth or Brisbane (during daylight times).
Of course it would have to be played in Perth.
Another option for a Perth unique timeslot would be 6-7pm eastern on a Sunday night. As long as it starts before 4.40pm local, it’s no worse than we cop here in Melbourne.
Potential Fixture (based on 18min Qs which allow for a game every 2.5 hours, all times Melbourne local):
Thursday 7.20pm
Friday 6.50pm (7.20pm if no double header)
Friday 9.20pm (WA game, this or Sunday 5.30pm)
Saturday 12.30pm (moved for PH games)
Saturday 3pm (2.10pm if no 12.30pm game)
Saturday 5.30pm (4.40pm if no 12.30pm game)
Saturday 8pm (7.20pm if no 12.30pm game)
Sunday 12.30pm (1pm if no 5.30pm game)
Sunday 3pm (3.30pm if no 5.30pm game)
Sunday 5.30pm (WA game, this or Friday 9.20pm)
I’m not sure how you got 66. But 23 rounds would equal 69 games. Then you would have public holiday games which would increase it slightly. And the I’m sure 7 would have their 5 extra games (like they did for Thursdays) in the Saturday slot.
Because for the 7/Fox split, the three bye rounds are considered to be two normal rounds, giving a total of 22, not 23. Public holidays and special matches eg season opener, are included in that 77 (3.5 games/ week) count.
Realistically, if Saturday was blocked out for Seven, there are only three ways for Seven to make up the 11 game difference.
Firstly, double headers on Friday Nights, something that seems unlikely to happen in a large way given the logistical problems for not only broadcasters but also the fans. And would Seven even want this?
Secondly, Public holiday and one off matches not replacing normal Seven matches. eg Seven show Easter Monday and their regular Sunday match on Easter Sunday (something currently not done).
Thirdly, I’ve left off extra Sunday matches as the times just don’t really work although maybe Sunday Night matches could be viable?
I suppose Seven could scrape to 77 without Saturdays, I just find it unlikely. Although gaining regular Thursday nights and a bunch of big Sunday night matches could please 7.
But my point still is, there will be a huge amount of fans unhappy if there are less games available for free, and I suspect not having any football on FTA on a Saturday will piss them off too.
Edit: Another idea would be for Seven to show their 3 games/ week during the byes.
Solution … 7 + FOXTEL merger.
I think it will be 7 get all Thursday, Friday and Sunday games. They would get public holidays (3 ANZAC, queens birthday and Easter Monday). They would probably then get special matches like dream time etc. it would add up to being the same amount of matches.
The hysteria about no Saturday matches is a bit silly if permanent Thursdays come into play. 7 will have to lose something to gain that.
If Seven get to 77 matches per year it does make it an easier sell. More ANZAC matches may help but as I said, generally speaking public holiday matches are included already so on their own can’t be used as a new way to get Seven to 77 in a new deal. Exceptions like Dreamtime would help though.
Just on the 7 having to give something up to get TNF, I’d be interested to know what Fox are willing to give up to have exclusive Saturdays. More money? Streaming of Seven matches?
I know they currently pay more than Seven but their percentage of the total deal would need to significantly increase one would think to justify the AFL putting their busiest day of the week entirely behind a paywall.
I think ‘hysteria’ is a bit of an exaggeration for most people’s reaction. It’s more along the lines of ‘stupid idea, hope it doesn’t happen’, something that given the long history of FTA Saturday Night football and before it the replays on Saturday nights, is, at the very least, understandable.
7 could get Saturday night footy in the last rounds of the season
I just don’t think its an exaggeration at all. It is complete hysteria if you don’t look at the facts. Thursday night football is likely to be an all year round thing. That is 23 games there for 7. Fact is 7 have a good deal with fox. They are allowed to show all interstate games (often without using their own commentary) into local markets. Of course Fox are going to ask for more when they are paying the most, investing the most and have more to offer than FTA.
Ok fair enough mate - we just have differing opinions on this and I don’t think either of us is going to win the other one over 
I think we probably do have the same opinion in it being a shit deal for FTA. But possibly you are blaming Fox and I am blaming 7. Personally I believe 7 need to pick up their game. The way they promote the brand is shocking and they have invested very little. Whereas Fox continually have more to offer.
I don’t really have an issue with Fox asking for it, I’d have a problem with the AFL accepting it, whoever the had the FTA component. Seven’s coverage is absolutely tired and unimaginative though and imo that should count against them. Common ground haha 
I agree the AFL seem a little afraid of Fox. I guess Murdoch isn’t someone you want as your enemy.
Not when he commands a media empire that dominates our news offerings.
I’d also imagine that the AFL would also be concerned that not considering what Fox is asking for could have a significant impact on the size of any deal - if the AFL is going to go down the path of 7/Fox over alternates, they need to get as much money they can out of Fox because its unlikely to come from 7
Exactly, they need some leverage to offer Fox in order to increase the deal. I think each of the key bargaining chips raised so far are reasonable, however if people are against them - what would you propose instead to boost the value of the deal?
I think there is a huge risk in moving to Paramount+ as the streaming platform hasn’t exactly proven itself to be reliable. I think there would also have to be an encrypted satellite feed of the games to ensure coverage for remote areas.
In what way is Paramount+ not reliable? I have both P+ and Foxtel Now and Kayo and I have more “problems” with FN and Kayo! Both FN and Kayo occassionally buffer. No other streaming service does this. Also I’ve had no problems with P+ Football coverage all last ALeague season.
I would love Paramount+ and 10 to get AFL rights but I’m almost certain it will be Foxtel, 7 again. I watch all my AFL on Kayo and NEVER 7, so I really don’t care who gets which days as long as I can watch my Demons. I do think all coverage needs a big shakeup even before the new rights come into play. Fox Sports is becoming far too “boy’s clubby” similar to how SEN radio has been ruined! As for 7 I gave up on them a LONG time ago!
Just my personal experience… the show tiles never load, shows cut out or go back to the start when you exit the app. Live A-League games are very hard to find and can’t be paused/rewound. All things I never had happen with other services like Netflix and Stan.
Other than your suggestions, a couple of ideas I had:
23 TNF matches, half of which are exclusive to Fox. Seven keep Saturday nights and air the other TNF matches (along with Fox). The new TNF matches replace one of the overlapping Saturday afternoon matches Fox show.
23 TNF mtches all shown on Seven (and Fox). Rnd 1 and Rnd 14-23 Saturday nights shown on Seven (and Fox). Rnd 2-13 Saturdays exclusively on Fox. Ensures the same number of matches on FTA as currently and gives Fox a big drawcard.
Fox get ‘bigger’ matches for their exclusive timeslots eg Saturday afternoon/ twilight or the Thursday nights they’d potentially have.
Don’t know how much it’d be worth but Brownlow and GF simulcast rights.
Something they’ve reportedly already done - leverage the (again) reported 10/P+ bid against Fox.
Don’t know how I feel about the first three but they are alternatives. I think something getting lost in the talk as well is that whilst TNF would be very attractive to 7, Fox will be licking their lips at the thought of it also.
I agree about concerns about 10/P+ and their capabilities. If their bid and Fox/ 7’s were for the same monetary amount though and 10 were offering more FTA coverage, I personally think it is worth the risk of switching broadcasters.
I still think the biggest thing though, as was mentioned before, is that the AFL don’t want to upset uncle Rupert and the reach he has with his news outlets.