More of the disastrous consequences of this new rights deal. It’s been terrible from the get go and has become much worse in practice. The AFL is not getting premium coverage for their content. It’s cheap and nasty.
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I thought they said they will be at all games this season with the new rights deal
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Stop it with the theatrics. We all get it, you don’t like the new arrangement.
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Fox was stuck on the wide angle for a good couple of minutes around the 13.5m mark of the fourth quarter of the NM v MEL match.
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Comm box for Fox at marvel is a bit bigger than at the MCG. No glass separating the callers and special comments.
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I thought Fox mentioned before the season that they would be at the ground for all the matches this year. But looks like they aren’t doing that
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First time in an AFL telecast that I can recall Adam Papalia being in front of camera for a very long time, if ever, in the form of a camera shot of the commentary box at quarter time of the Eagles v Dockers match.
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I’m guessing part of it would be due to Seven having access (or first choice) to the massive MCG TV studio/commentary box, as the host broadcaster. Surprised Fox are even allowed inside the media centre as not host.
This must’ve all changed in the new contact with Fox now allowed to produce their own feed, in the same way Seven are allowed to do so as well of Fox hosted broadcasts they air outside of Vic, such as tonight’s Derby at Optus.
It’s great to see though, nothing beats being at the ground.
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Wouldn’t be surprised if all AFL stadiums are now obligated to have a second TV box so Fox & 7 can call the same game. How good that 2nd box is will vary; obviously the AFL making more of an effort than the MCC, and Lyon was critical of the facility at the SCG, which afaik didn’t even make it on camera during Opening Round.
Also noticed Fox is using generic Sunday Ticket mics at Perth Stadium, even though they could use Fox branded mics since 7WA, the only other broadcaster, is doing their own coverage.
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I reckon tonight’s Derby is the first big hole in Fox’s AFL deal, Seven would be over the moon, Fox would be pissed.
But this could be the new contract, extra sweeteners for both broadcasters.
I mean, 7Plus will be great for Seven finally and they do get more Thursdays & have each Sunday back (essentially every round for both) plus a few marquee specials like Sunday nights and the traditional Anzac Day, DreamTime, Anzac Eve. And produce the finals and exclusive Brownlow and GF.
But IMO Foxtel have the better deal, picking up another Saturday and having entire Saturdays exclusive in Melbourne as well as nationally for the first 8 weeks plus getting to make their own feeds every game and they retain their streaming on Go and Kayo. And they get their own shows, pre/post/break coverage and telecast things like the pre season, Grand Final parade, awards nights, etc.
I do wonder how both networks are getting along now, what used to be a constructive collaborative relationship with the revolutionary 2012 deal… Now paints a picture of being more bitter rivals and the race for eyeballs more than ever. Only Patrick Delany and Jeff Howard would know. Let alone the barrage of media articles lately especially with Seven’s new weekly shows.
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To me, the 7/Fox relationship has always been tit-for-tat.
Even from the Fox Footy Channel days, when 7 was suing everyone for the death of C7 Sport, Fox would cover up any mention of 7Sport from vintage footage; ABC footage was left untouched.
Then there was the whole Sandy Roberts thing in 2013/14, which lead to changes at both 7 (no more generic AFL branding, back to 7Sport) & Fox (no more full ch7 simulcasts, only the actual match).
Eventually 7 stopped commentating after goals to try and screw over Fox.
And now 7WA gets to do their own coverage for Fox Perth sunday matches, and we only hear about this just as the season starts? bit odd
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And what about SAS-7 Adelaide, not going to do their own for Crows and/or Power Fox simulcasts on Sundays or from R9 Saturdays?
Wonder if they’d ever bother with non-AFL markets, like Queensland where AFL has never been stronger, thanks in no small part to reigning premiers the Lions? Say for finals? Is local Bill McDonald still around doing footy stuff anywhere, former Ten AFL boundary rider in Brisbane and long-time 5pm news anchor, later Seven.
He now hosts Mornings on 4BC in Brisbane. Don’t think he’s doing anything footy related at this stage but I could be wrong.
I guess Perth are getting it because they have additional resources from The West Australian.
Adelaide still got the odd match where there is local pre-game, half-time, and post-game, though haven’t checked if they are doing it this year for delayed games so far.
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Fox definitely not at Adelaide Oval yesterday can confirm as I was there. There was an empty tv box for them. Mark Riccutio was at the ground.
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I think that’s the written journalism room. Not sure what that says about the Advertiser but anyway.
There is another TV studio at Adelaide Oval but it’s in the Riverbank Stand behind the bowler’s arm (also a duplicate set of radio boxes and written journalist room, maybe some print journos were in there). Still agree that Fox weren’t there on the weekend.
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At least twice, I have seen Anthony Hudson at Sydney Showground Stadium, once for a Sydney Derby in 2015 and another for (I think it was) GWS vs Carlton in 2016.
There was also one instance where the exact same commentary team were used for two matches in 2016: GWS vs Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans (in both cases, Huddo was the lead caller, and I remember Dermott Brereton and Alastair Lynch were the analysts) in round six.
Is there any proof in the Broadcast contract that Fox actually has to be there? If so, they’ve breached it multiple times already this season. I watched the HAW vs GWS game and you could tell that Dwayne Russel & Nathan Buckley weren’t present in Tasmania, as they spoke over Jordan Lewis who was actually there on several occasions.
Mark Ricciuto also gives it away too when talking to the lads ‘upstairs’
I was referring to the 2 empty radio boxes which is what Fox uses at every other ground when they are not the host broadcaster.
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I don’t know about the contract but Fox with their own press release and stuff made it seem like they are going to be at the grounds for all matches
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