Would depend on how much DAZN sees in bidding for them. However, given that my understanding is some contracts (at least Fox Sports) ended this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if some broadcasters have already signed new deals.
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Not sure DAZN will get the global rights just for the sake of it - or sign global deals for everything because it might benefit their Australian operations.
However, they will presumably have to operate WatchAFL and the NRL equivalent as Foxtel have. They do have experience doing this with NFL GamePass (mostly) worldwide.
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I’d assume the value would be in a way of boosting the headline figure - if DAZN would chuck $20m more for the global rights, then they’ve got the “biggest deal ever” even if the local component falls or stays the same, and potentially have even less total cash.
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There will be a report on changes to Saturday night AFL coverage on the ABC’s 7.30 tonight, featuring an interview with Mick Malthouse.
Here is the accompanying article.
Edit: video
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Seven shrugs off missing matches as AFL kicks off
Tonight, Seven is entering year one of the biggest TV rights deal in Australian sporting history with the AFL kickoff.
But this is no simple rights-make-might situation. Seven and Foxtel have a split deal worth a combined $4.5 billion over seven years. In carving up the big cost, both networks lost significant bragging rights and ensured a messy situation for viewers.
Not surprisingly, both networks are focused on what they have gained.
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At the end of the day, Fox is delivering the growth in payments for broadcast rights so any FTA partner must slowly trade off what it has to maintain their position. Fox has been a fantastic partner to the competition over the past two decades regardless of what some may think of their ownership.
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Left the announcement until the last minute, although it was obvious that the status quo would mostly remain (an exception being 3AW getting an extra game).
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Just confirming every single game is 4K this year on Kayo/ Fox?
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Thanks.
So every single game except the GF.
Fans can’t be happy about that?
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Well, the replay will be in 4K with Fox commentary.
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Has anyone said that they are actually going to be able to record their own commentary, or will they just use the Seven one?
Regardless, the replay will be in 4k as all AFL games are now broadcasted with 4K trucks.
They do their own commentary for the NRL Grand Final & State of Origin replays on Fox League, so there is precedent. They don’t use their own graphics for those games, though.
Edit: Garry Lyon has said Fox will record their own commentary for the GF when he was interviewed by Tom Morris last year about the new TV deal.
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Also, 3AW match commentary will be available again on the AFL app under the new deal (it was left out of the app in the previous agreement). Nine Radio will also be making AFL match broadcasts available across the 2GB and 4BC apps for the first time.
Interesting that NIRS and NEMBC are not mentioned in the new radio deal.
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SCA INKS NEW AFL PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER EVERY MATCH LIVE ON TRIPLE M AND LISTNR
SCA and the AFL have announced a new three-year partnership that will see every game, of every round, delivered live to fans on Triple M and LiSTNR throughout the 2025, 2026 and 2027 AFL seasons.
The agreement cements SCA as the go-to destination for AFL fans. LiSTNR and the Triple M network’s radio stations around Australia will deliver more than 850 hours of live match coverage per season. This unparalleled coverage will be enhanced by greater integration of AFL-related content within SCA’s flagship shows and across Triple M and LiSTNR’s digital assets, as well as increased editorial support in key AFL development markets in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
With commentary teams on the ground in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, SCA will deliver unparalleled footy coverage to bring fans closer to the action. Led by an experienced team of footy’s finest voices, the team will provide expert insights, banter and top-tier analysis. Fans can also look forward to unique access to players for pre and post match interviews during the season, establishing a premier destination for footy fans.
SCA continues its commitment to supporting AFLW, with extensive coverage of the competition, including finals, while creating pathways for players off the field. The introduction of an annual AFLW internship will provide invaluable learning opportunities for a player with aspirations of a broadcasting career, furthering SCA’s dedication to elevating women’s football both on and off the air.
SCA CEO John Kelly said: “Southern Cross Austereo is proud to extend our partnership with the AFL, reaffirming SCA’s position as Australia’s leading AFL audio broadcaster. As the season begins tonight, we’re excited to continue delivering the most passionate, insightful, and entertaining footy coverage across Triple M and LiSTNR. Our long-standing relationship with the AFL allows us to bring fans closer to the game they love, and we look forward to another incredible season of footy.”
AFL Executive General Manager of Finance, Clubs and Infrastructure, Matthew Chun, said: “The priority of the AFL was to provide fans with quality content and unrivalled free access to footy across radio platforms. Our radio partners will service more AFL and AFLW fans across the nation than ever before. It is important to us that our fans are able to consume live football all weekend, particularly when they aren’t able to get to a game.
“We want all Australians to have the best possible match experience on any platform of their choice, and we are proud to be partnering with Southern Cross Austereo and thank them for their continued support and commitment to delivering unparalleled content for our fans.”
Triple M holds the top spot as the #1 AFL station in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, while also building a strong following in the emerging markets of Sydney and Brisbane. With Australia’s most loved game continuing to thrive, this partnership guarantees that AFL fans won’t miss a moment of the action – whether they’re listening at home, on the go, or on LiSTNR.
This agreement showcases SCA’s enduring dedication to connecting fans with the game they love, while paving the way for exciting developments across the AFL and AFLW landscapes.
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Mr Allen said the situation had presented a “huge opportunity” for the state leagues to increase their viewers, “which the VFL has taken up with Channel 7, like the SANFL.”
The WAFL is introducing several Saturday night matches in its 2025 fixture, and five matches will be played on April 5 alone.
WA Football Commission head of WAFL Competitions Luke Sander said that while the traditional time slot of Saturday afternoon would continue, the night matches would “help expose the competition to more fans”.
SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said it was televising two matches in prime evening time slots in the opening three rounds of the season, one on Saturday and one on Good Friday.
“We will look to schedule more broadcast games at night in the second half of the season,” Mr Chandler said.
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