Fox Sports

[njr]

Would make sense. There’s enough cricket year round for Fox to broadcast, and Optus haven’t struggled with filling up a cricket channel on their fetch box. I wouldn’t oppose giving Fox access to replays and the back catalogue, like they did a few years ago.

That said, CA have their heads screwed on right when it comes to Pay TV. They’ve seen the damage its done to the game in England, and the effect that televising the BBL on Channel TEN exclusively has had on the tournament.

There’s a lot more money on the table now, and CA now have the option to go OTT when it comes to subscription services. I reckon that last option could be Fox Sport’s undoing.

Plus, Fox Sports need to sort out their merger with Foxtel soon, now that Sky News has been settled I reckon this’ll happen in the next few months, whether a deal is cut before then is the question…

Let’s also not forget that the ICC has been repositioning the way broadcast rights are being sold in order to make a cricket.tv streaming service, which could foreseeably allow fans to watch any cricket happening in the world.

[tihsamikah]

@cmo

Cricket Australia would do themselves a disservice involving themselves with fox sports.

actually, if it wasn’t the viewers on foxtel when the BBL started (which rated great on fox), it wouldn’t have have the leg up to FTA if it wasn’t so successful.

disservice?

so…not having Sheffield shield, and JTL cup broadcast ANYWHERE by channel 9… what is that doing exactly?

[tihsamikah]

@njr

Let’s also not forget that the ICC has been repositioning the way broadcast rights are being sold in order to make a cricket.tv streaming service, which could foreseeably allow fans to watch any cricket happening in the world.

If that happened - fantastic - have a streaming service to view all games, I would pay for that!
once a cricket game has been broadcast… you will most likely never see it again…

let fans pay for that access to view old games

[Jeffmister]

Interestingly, a Cricinfo interview with James Sutherland (CA’s chief executive) was published today dealing with both of the things raised in the past few posts

Regarding Fox Sports being a broadcast partner:

The question mark now is how much do they want, what do they want and what are they interested in. While we understand they may be interested, it is then a matter of how that fits with everything else. Clearly the observation I’d make right now is that cricket’s blessed to have all of our valuable content on free-to-air television and two partners in Nine and Ten who do it in their own special way and both attract huge audiences and are extremely professional and care a lot about their production of cricket. We’re in a really good position, hopefully the product is still sought after by them and others as well."

As to going OTT:

One option there is where we become a production house and produce it all, BCCI does some of that for international cricket but not the IPL. Tennis do their own production for the Australian Open. We could become the production and then sell the feed to the different broadcasters … That’s one option but you can then take it to the next level where you actually do the production and then you sell the option over the top direct to customer. Is it foreseeable? The first step is more foreseeable than the second one, the second one depends on how the market plays out.

---

Something else which the article reveals is that a further 14 BBL games will be played next year and the competition will stretch until mid-February so that the finals aren’t overshadowed by international ODI/Twenty20 matches which are held around where they’re currently scheduled at the end of January

[pelican]

(edit: aaand I just realised the comments I was replying to were 19 days old)

I’ve said time and time again over the last five years that free to air exposure is worth more than upfront pay TV money. I think the NRL, especially any team which isn’t the Broncos, is out at a disadvantage by having select games locked out of free coverage routinely. I think it would be much more viable for two commercial networks, like Nine and Ten, attempt to air all matches live on FTA, much like the AFL had with Nine and Ten back in the day.

Look at the A-League, which has been relegated to pay TV and subsequently failed to attract an audience. This isn’t the UK, where the Premier League can still attract massive audiences on Sky and BT. They need to attract an audience in the first place.

I know the Big Bash started out on Fox but it really didn’t get cemented as an early summer juggernaut until Ten Sport. Even so, T20 cricket is dispensible enough that no one will bother buying a Fox Sports package just for T20 either.

There’s also the problem that Foxtel’s marketplace relevance has fallen in the past few years. Streaming has overtaken it. You can bet that any bid on CA would mean further cutbacks against the already measly entertainment options. We already saw this with Foxtel trying to afford the AFL and NRL deals. Another top-tier sport is possible but Foxtel’s entertainment channels are a nightmare so they risk alienating non-sports subscribers even further (at which point you’d have to ask why they would bother with entertainment at all - merge Fox Sports and Foxtel and just turn Foxtel into a purely sport dedicated service).

CA shouldn’t bother tbh.

[stmookeyj027]

@Jeffmister

Something else which the article reveals is that a further 14 BBL games will be played next year and the competition will stretch until mid-February so that the finals aren’t overshadowed by international ODI/Twenty20 matches which are held around where they’re currently scheduled at the end of January

Although next year there will likely be 10 days in January where they wouldn’t be able to play owing to D/N test matches vs Sri Lanka (one is just about confirmed in Brisbane, the other seemingly likely in Canberra).

As for the possibility of a dedicated Fox Cricket channel, the way it will work is if the Australian O/S matches are all on it and they somehow find a way to get IPL rights (which are out of reach of most media outlets in Australia). With the new calendar and leagues about to take effect the period between March-May is a dedicated IPL window and without it there wouldn’t be content to show from anywhere.

[bacco007]

Fox need cricket more than CA need Fox - unless CA wants greater coverage of their ‘fringe’ competitions that they currently webcast then Fox is probably a likely location but CA are going to have to throw something in with a bit of meat to make it worthwhile.

[Frankie]

I’d be more interested to know what’s behind Optus Sport’s cricket channel and their future plans in taking on Fox Sports.

[sammy123]

@Frankie

Optus Sport’s cricket channel

Also note that it is only available during summer.

[JohnsonTV]

HSBC Sydney Rugby Sevens

Every game across both competitions exclusively live on FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel
Cam Clark and Nicole Beck make FOX SPORTS commentary debuts
LIVE coverage of classic Wallabies v Classic Fiji featuring Drew Mitchell and Radike Samo
Fans taken closer to the action with certain players mic’d up on the field

The fast and furious HSBC Sevens World Series returns to Sydney over the Australia Day long weekend, and FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel, will be the only place to watch the action unfold LIVE.

Coverage begins from 9.30am EDT on Friday (January 26), and continues across the weekend, with every game from both the men’s and women’s competitions LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD on FOX SPORTS 506.

And with Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now, fans can be signed up and streaming all the action LIVE within minutes. To try two weeks for free, go to www.getfoxsports.com.au.

Former Rio Olympian and Waratahs’ winger Cam Clark and the Olympic gold-medal winning Nicole Beck will make their FOX SPORTS commentary debuts, offering their expert insight and analysis on the pre and post-game panel with Nick McArdle and Rod Kafer.

Greg Clark, Sean Maloney, Scott Stevenson, Karl Te Nana and Willie Lose will team up to call the men’s action, with Louise Ransome delivering updates from the sideline.

The women’s commentary box will feature Tiana Penitani, Sue Day, Hugh Cahill and Ken Laban, with Natalie Yoannidis capturing all the reaction from the players on the field.

In addition to LIVE coverage of every game across the weekend, rugby fans will also witness a collection of former rugby stars in action, including Drew Mitchell, Adam Freier and Radike Samo, for a Classic Wallabies v Classic Fiji clash, kicking off at 6.20pm on Sunday.

The FOX SPORTS player mic will also return, with players from an unprecedented seven teams, including the Aussie men’s and women’s teams, wearing a microphone in various games throughout the weekend.

The footage will be broadcast on FOX SPORTS across the three day competition, offering fans a unique perspective of the on-field action.

FOX SPORTS is exclusively available on Foxtel.

HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS BROADCAST SCHEDULE:
FRI 26 JAN: LIVE from 9.30am on FOX SPORTS 506
SAT 27 JAN: LIVE from 8.30am on FOX SPORTS 506
SUN 28 JAN: LIVE from 9.30am on FOX SPORTS 506

[Frankie]

@sammy123

Also note that it is only available during summer

Yes, but it signals some interest but TBH I’d have thought they might have secured an overseas tour or two by now.

[JohnsonTV]

Brisbane Global Rugby Tens return live and only on Fox Sports

Expanded competition with four-team women’s tournament
Every men’s and women’s game LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and with no ad-breaks during play on FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel
Friday 9 – Saturday 10 February, 2018

Rugby’s best local and international stars descend on Suncorp Stadium today (Friday 9 February) for the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens, and FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel, will be the only place to watch the action unfold.

The two day rugby extravaganza will feature all nine Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, along with the Fijian national team, Top 14 heavyweights Pau, and Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights.

Plus, Rugby fans will be able to watch Australia’s best female players LIVE in action with all four Super W teams squaring off in the women’s competition.

FOX SPORTS will show all the explosive rugby action LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD, including every game from both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

A number of big names will feature throughout the competition, including current champions Will Genia, Rory Arnold and Julian Savea, along with Rugby legends Conrad Smith and FOX SPORTS’ Drew Mitchell, who will lace on the boots as a wildcard for the Waratahs.

FOX SPORTS’ expert commentary team will be on hand to guide viewers through the action, which kicks off at 2.30pm EDT today and continues from 1.30pm EDT on Saturday.

Nick McArdle and Rod Kafer will host FOX SPORTS’ coverage, offering their expert insight and analysis across the two day tournament.

Tim Horan, Greg Martin, Stephen Hoiles and Kafer step into the commentary box alongside Greg Clark, Sean Maloney and Andrew Swain, with Louise Ransome stationed on the sideline.

And with Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now, fans can be signed up and streaming all the action LIVE within minutes. To try two weeks for free, head to www.getfoxsports.com.au.

In addition, Australia’s number one multi-sports website, foxsports.com.au, will provide the best analysis, opinion and video highlights.

FOX SPORTS is EXCLUSIVELY available on Foxtel.

FOX SPORTS’ BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Brisbane Global Rugby Tens
Friday 9 February: LIVE from 2.30pm EDT on FOX SPORTS 505
Saturday 10 February: LIVE from 1.30pm EDT on FOX SPORTS 505

The full tournament schedule can be found here (Brisbane times)

[JohnsonTV]

Full-On Footy Tour 2018

News Corp Australia will combine the power of its television network, newspapers and websites to launch the NRL and AFL seasons by undertaking a regional roadshow across three states showcasing its top footy commentators and columnists, launching this month.

NRL icons Matty Johns, Gorden Tallis, Justin Hodges, Michael Ennis, Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh along with League Life hosts Lara Pitt, Jess Yates and Hannah Hollis will visit Queensland and New South Wales fans on the NRL tour.

Some of AFL’s biggest names, including Jonathan Brown, Dermott Brereton, Nick Riewoldt, Garry Lyon, Jason Dunstall, David King and Paul Roos will join FOX FOOTY’s Sarah Jones and Kelli Underwood to hit the Victorian roads for the AFL tour.

Plus some of the leading footy writers from The Daily Telegraph in NSW, The Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post and Sunshine Coast Daily in QLD, and the Herald Sun and Geelong Advertiser will join the tour.

Each Sportsman’s Night will feature a number of the footy stars and journalists for an evening talking footy!

Sportsman’s Night dates
QUEENSLAND AND NEW SOUTH WALES
Newcastle
Tuesday February 20 7.00pm
NEX – The Extra

Wollongong
Wednesday February 21 7.00pm
Cabbage Tree Hotel

Bathurst
Thursday February 22 7.00pm
Bathurst Panthers

Cairns
Wednesday February 28 7.00pm
The Jack Hotel

Townsville
Thursday March 1 7.00pm
The Brewery

Sunshine Coast
Friday March 2 7.00pm
Nambour RSL

VICTORIA
Geelong
Thursday March 8 7.00pm
TBC

Ballarat
Tuesday March 13 7.00pm
The Sporting Globe

Bendigo
Wednesday March 14 7.00pm
Quality Resort All Seasons

Melbourne
Thursday March 15 6.30pm
Flying Duck Hotel

Go to the Full-On Footy Tour page and follow the links to register.

[littlegezzybear]

@JohnsonTV

Plus some of the leading footy writers from The Daily Telegraph in NSW

Phil Rothfield demoted to a nameless ‘leading footy writer’?

Is the Sportsman’s Night a plug for News Corp’s racing paper The Sportsman, I wonder.

[JohnsonTV]

Gillette T20 International Series

Three pool games, plus the Final LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel

Australia, New Zealand and England cross the ditch for the New Zealand leg of the Gillette T20 International Series from tomorrow (February 13), and FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel, will be the only place to watch the action unfold LIVE.

Australia has already booked their spot in the Final on February 21, following an impressive, undefeated run in the Australian leg of the series.

The Final, plus the three remaining pool clashes will be broadcast LIVE, in HD and only on FOX SPORTS.

The action continues tomorrow, when New Zealand take on England, before Australia face their final pool clash against the Black Caps on Friday (February 16).

And with Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now, fans can be signed up and streaming all the action LIVE within minutes. To try two weeks for free, go to www.getfoxsports.com.au.

Former Australian cricket Captain and FOX SPORTS commentator, Allan Border will feature in an expert commentary team to guide viewers through the action.

Border will be joined in the commentary box by former England captain Nasser Hussain and former English all-rounder David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, along with a selection of Kiwi cricketing legends including Ian Smith, Simon Doull, Craig Cumming, Scott Styris and Mark Richardson.

FOX SPORTS is EXCLUSIVELY available on Foxtel.

FOX SPORTS’ BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Tue 13 Feb: New Zealand v England, LIVE at 4.30pm on FOX SPORTS 505
Fri 16 Feb: New Zealand v Australia, LIVE at 4.30pm on FOX SPORTS 505
Sun 18 Feb: New Zealand v England, LIVE at 4.30pm on FOX SPORTS 505
Wed 21 Feb: Final, Australia v TBA, LIVE at 4.30pm on FOX SPORTS 507
*Times listed as AEDT

[JohnsonTV]

The 2018 Supercars season was launched at Sydney’s Moore Park on Valentine’s Day (Wednesday). Fox Sports used the event to announce that panel show Inside Supercars had been renamed Supercars Trackside. It will move from Wednesday to Thursdays and be taken on location from the Fox Sports studios in Sydney to Supercars events. There will also be a Sunday episode of Supercars Trackside wrapping each race weekend, once the regular telecast is complete.
http://www.supercars.com/news/championship/fox-sports-announces-new-supercars-shows/?sf182189361=1

[JohnsonTV]

New Look Super Rugby Returns Live On Fox Sports

Every game EXCLUSIVELY LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD on FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel
Super Rugby: Kick & Chase season premiere on Wednesday (February 21) in new timeslot of 7.30pm EDT
Brand new Super Saturday launches February 24
#somethingSuper

The 2018 Vodafone Super Rugby season launches this weekend, and FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel, will be the only place to watch every game LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.

Super Rugby returns to a 15-team, three conference model in 2018, with the Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies and Rebels all featuring in the Australian conference alongside Japan’s Sunwolves.

The re-vamped competition will feature more Australian derbies, with local rivalries once again coming to the fore.

Round 1 kicked off this weekend, with a South African only round. A LIVE, ad-break free during play and HD double header kicked off from midnight on Sunday (February 18), with the Stormers at home to the Jaguares, before the Lions clash with the Sharks.

The Australian teams take to the field in Round 2, with the Rebels in action against the Reds on February 23, before the Sunwolves clash with the Brumbies and the Waratahs host the Stormers the following day.

FOX SPORTS will complement its unrivalled on-field coverage with the best entertainment and analysis.

Super Rugby: Kick & Chase returns in 2018 in the new timeslot of Wednesdays at 7.30pm, with the season premiere launching next week (Wednesday 21 February).

Nick McArdle returns to the hosting chair alongside an expert panel featuring Drew Mitchell, George Gregan and Brendan Cannon.

Each week, the team will review the week’s biggest stories and offer their expert opinion and analysis, plus sit down with some of the biggest names in the game.

Then on Saturdays, Rugby fans have their day sorted, with up to four LIVE games, ad-break free and back-to-back on the all-new Super Saturday.

Rod Kafer and George Gregan will offer their expert insight and analysis alongside host McArdle, while Louise Ransome joins the team to deliver the latest and breaking news from around the grounds.

The voice of Rugby, Greg Clark returns to lead a team of Wallabies legends and rugby experts. Clark is joined by Tim Horan, Greg Martin, Stephen Hoiles, Mitchell, Kafer and Gregan, alongside Rugby pundits Sean Maloney, Andrew Swain, McArdle, Natalie Yoannidis and Ransome to guide viewers through the action each week.

And with Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now, fans can be signed up and streaming all the action LIVE within minutes. To try two weeks for free, head to www.getfoxsports.com.au.

Australia’s only 24/7 sports news channel, FOX SPORTS News 500 will be the place to stay across all the latest news and developments in the lead up to the weekend’s action with a full wrap up of all the results and highlights following each round.

The country’s number one multi-sport website Foxsports.com.au will be the online destination for fans with a Super Rugby Match Centre featuring live scores, stats and video highlights.

Fans can share their excitement for the new Vodafone Super Rugby season and join the conversation by using the hashtag #somethingSuper.

FOX SPORTS is EXCLUSIVELY available on Foxtel.

FOX SPORTS’ BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Vodafone Super Rugby
All LIVE, ad-break free during play and in HD on FOX SPORTS 505

ROUND 2
Fri 23 Feb: Highlanders v Blues, LIVE at 5.00pm
Fri 23 Feb: Rebels v Reds, LIVE at 7.30pm
Sat 24 Feb: Sunwolves v Brumbies, LIVE at 3.00pm
Sat 24 Feb: Crusaders v Chiefs, LIVE at 5.30pm
Sat 24 Feb: Waratahs v Stormers, LIVE at 7.30pm
Sun 25 Feb: Lions v Jaguares, LIVE at 12.00am
Sun 25 Feb: Bulls v Hurricanes, LIVE at 2.15am

[JohnsonTV]

Every Super W Game On Fox Sports (Women’s Rugby)

Every game of the inaugural Super W ad-break free during play on FOX SPORTS’ platforms
Wallaroo Mollie Gray joins Super Rugby: Kick & Chase

FOX SPORTS will be the only place to watch every game of the inaugural Super W season, in a new partnership announced today (Tuesday 20 February).

The brand new competition, which features five clubs aligned to each of the Super Rugby franchises, plus a Western Force side, will run for five weeks, kicking off on March 10.

The competition will feature a number of double-headers with the men’s Super Rugby games, plus a selection of stand-alone fixtures.

The matches will be broadcast on FOX SPORTS, on Foxtel, or foxsports.com.au on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the five-week season.

In more good news for women’s Rugby, Wallaroo Mollie Gray will join Nick McArdle, George Gregan, Drew Mitchell and Brendan Cannon as a regular panellist on Super Rugby: Kick & Chase to talk all things Rugby.

Super Rugby: Kick & Chase returns tomorrow (Wednesday 21 February) at 7.30pm EDT for the season premiere.

Commenting on the new broadcast deal, Gray said: “This is such an exciting time for women’s rugby – both the new competition and the fact that rugby fans will be able to watch every game on FOX SPORTS. Exposure is really important to grow the game and I can’t wait for the girls to show everyone what they can do on the field.”

On her role on Kick & Chase, she added: “I’m also really looking forward to joining the Kick & Chase team. Nick (McArdle), George (Gregan), Drew (Mitchell) and Brendan (Cannon) are some of the most respected names in Rugby, and to get the chance to analyse the game alongside them each week is a very exciting.”

With Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now, fans can be signed up and streaming the action within minutes. To try two weeks for free, head to www.getfoxsports.com.au.

FOX SPORTS is EXCLUSIVELY available on Foxtel.

[Jeffmister]

Fox Sports has today relaunched its on-air presentation look by adopting the package Fox League has used since last year:

[killy06]

Fox Sports has a new graphics package for their Supercars coverage this year, it also brings it into line with their Fox Footy / Leauge channels.

FOX Motorsport