If they didn’t spend so much on acquiring sports rights, they might be able to spend more on the rest of their line up.
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Have they done anything illegal? Nope, not that it appears. They’ve just decided to pursue all the sports aggressively and have won. Government can’t step in and tell them how to run their network unless they’re doing something illegal. Just like they can’t tell me to stop spending my money at Macca’s and the like because they think it’s stupid.
Again, Hamish @ Logies:
“We build our network around sport”.
And that quote came from Seven execs, as he referenced their names in that acceptance speech.
Says a lot to me. Seven’s DNA, at least now, is sport. Who knows their long-term strategy/plans. They know Nine are biting at the heels (0.1% main channel difference come end of last year)! Although Seven are miles in front in all demos this year, but Nine and Ten at least will probably exclude Winter Olympics and Comm Games, making it closer.
It’s hardly “amazing” given…
So they’re just carrying out their strategy but they have lost Tennis Australia
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Yes, but hardly anyone thought that meant cricket.
I like most would’ve predicted Seven to have tennis and Nine to have cricket, at least for another broadcast deal. I thought it more meant investment in Olympics/Comm Games, and maybe other minor/niche sports.
Well, that all blew up.
I’m confused so now they’ve got cricket you think they should be investigated?
Well, because of how major it is, frankly yes.
But what exactly is there to investigate? What would you suggest regulators should be looking for and hoping to achieve?
they haven’t broken any laws. And Seven didn’t just “get” cricket. It was picked up (in a package with Foxtel) following a competitive process led by Cricket Australia. It’s not like they were the sole bidder or that nobody else was allowed to bid.
If anything does need to be investigated it is the anti-siphoning list which this deal seems to be in conflict with. But we have a communications minister who gleefully handed out $30 million to Foxtel for no apparent reason with no paper trail, so I think we know any investigation will not happen.
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Sounds like the “too big to fail” mentality that hit for Dick Smith and Angus and Robertson etc… Just because they’re institutions, doesn’t mean they can’t suffer the same fate as others.
Same with the sports, just because it’s always traditionally been tennis on Seven, cricket on Nine, these things change. There was shock when Seven lost the AFL to Nine and Ten and it was several years before they regained that. The motorsports has changed several times over the years as well as soccer. In a couple of years, the cricket on Nine will be forgotten, it’s just the initial surprise at the change.
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In case anyone was wondering, BT has actually called cricket.
BT should stick to AFL. Although I would prefer BT to Andy Maher.
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The NFL announced the 2018-19 season overnight. The league’s 99th season will stick with recent tradition and kick off with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting 2016 NFC champion Atlanta Falcons in the Thursday night opener on September 6. Most of Seven’s regular season coverage will again be on 7mate, including the season opener, the Thanksgiving Day triple header and NBC Sunday Night Football (which will kick off earlier at 8.20pm US Eastern Time). Given Seven is on cost cutting mode and just won the rights to show test cricket and most Big Bash League matches, could this be the last NFL season to air on Seven?
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World Series Rugby inks unprecedented broadcast deals with Channel 7 and Fox Sports
In a major feat for West Australian rugby, all seven World Series Rugby matches will be aired on Channel 7 and Fox Sports in 2018.
Sports fans across Australia can join the action as the Western Force take on regional rivals in seven fierce clashes at nib Stadium in Perth.
The sold-out Friday May 4 series opener against Fiji Warriors will be screened live and free to air in Western Australia on 7TWO and screened live nationwide on Fox Sports.
Sydney and Brisbane viewers can catch the game on delay on 7MATE, and it can be viewed in all markets (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and an encore in Perth) on 7TWO at 1pm local time on Saturday.
The historic Fiji match will be followed by games against Tonga, Melbourne Rebels, Canterbury Crusaders, Samoa, Hong Kong and, finally, a Japanese Top 14 side. Every game will be broadcast on Channel 7 and on Fox Sports.
Internationally renowned rugby commentator Gordon Bray is an integral part of the World Series Rugby broadcast and can’t wait to join the commentary team for game two.
“This is a major breakthrough for the game of rugby, players and spectators,” Bray says.
“It’s the first time this century we will have a provincial rugby competition live on free-to-air television in Australia.”
The special comments team will include former Australian captain Michael Lynagh and a host of other Wallabies including the larger than life Chris Handy. High-profile comedian Peter Rowsthorn will also bring his unique brand of entertainment to the commentary team.
“We are so pleased that Force games will continue to be hosted at the home of rugby in Australia – Fox Sports,” Western Force Commercial Manager Brad Paatsch said.
“We have worked collaboratively with Fox and Rugby Australia to bring this important broadcast deal to life and thank them for their support.
“That all seven World Series Rugby matches will also be broadcast live and free on Channel Seven in Perth and at other times right around the country is a major coup for the Western Force and the entire West Australian rugby community.
“This deal will not only provide exposure to a bold, new and exciting series it will also place the great game of rugby in front of thousands of potential new supporters. One of World Series Rugby’s major drivers is bringing this game to a new audience throughout our region and we are absolutely delighted Channel Seven is helping us achieve this mission.”
Mario D’Orazio, Managing Director, Channel 7 Perth said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Western Force in this world first sports event. Perth rugby fans can look forward to seeing some of the best teams and best players in the world strut their stuff,” D’Orazio said.
“We congratulate Western Force on their endeavours and are pleased to be helping them break new ground on the global stage.”
World Series Rugby was devised by mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest last year after the Western Force was dropped from the Australian conference of Super Rugby.
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So Bray’s left Ten?
I’m surprised seven aren’t interested in launching another sports channel. They seem to have everything at the moment bar the NRL.
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He’s freelance. Does work for Rugby Australia and World Rugby.
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I think he will still call Rugby Internationals from June onwards
The schedule for the X Games in Sydney this October was announced today. The event will be shown on 7mate and streamed on 7plus.
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The Australian Financial Review reports today that the Victoria Racing Club has put the broadcast rights to the Melbourne Cup Carnival up for tender for the first time in 16 years. This could see current holders Seven losing the rights to Ten (which broadcast the Melbourne Cup with great success until 2001) or worse still, Nine. The Cup carnival is one of marquee rights on Seven’s sporting calendar alongside the AFL and I think Seven won’t give it up without a fight.
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I know Ten had them for many years prior to Seven picking up the rights in 2002, but have Nine ever had the TV broadcasting rights to the Melbourne Cup Carnival?
Although since Nine will need a sport of national interest to sustain themselves during that 2 month or so gap between the NRL and (from 2020) tennis seasons, I wouldn’t be overly surprised if they try for the Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcasting rights.
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