SANFL talks with Eddie McGuire about shifting TV deal
Via ABC Updated June 12, 2013, 8:38 am
The SANFL has had talks with Eddie McGuire’s media company about broadcasting league matches on Channel 9.
The ABC is the current broadcaster but the contract runs out after this season.
The SANFL said it was reviewing its options because of high production costs.
SANFL general manager of football Chris Davies said keeping South Australian games on television was its priority.
“We’ve spoken to a number of people in regard to the production costs of getting our competition on TV longer-term we’ve certainly had an initial chat with McGuire Media about this, yes,” he said.
I still don’t understand why it costs abc tv 30 to 40 grand to broadcast each match? Surely someone’s havin’ a laugh quoting figures of that nature in the news report? If the figure was stated as 2 or 3 thousand I could understand. How is the remainder of the figure calculated I wonder because it sounds highly fanciful.
Apparently this being official.
The SANFL has just announced its commercial TV partner for the 2014 season. The Seven Network will broadcast SANFL league games live each week under a proposed three-year agreement. The agreement would see one SANFL league match broadcast live each round on the network from the 2014 season.
The League has negotiated with McGuire Media, which would rotate around the SANFL’s suburban venues.
The proposal includes:
a)Five to six cameras at every broadcast game.
b) Guaranteed media and cross-promotion across the Seven Network.
c) Coverage of SANFL Finals.
Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker said the league was now seeking partners to fund the agreement.
“We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of partnering with Channel 7 and have had exploratory talks with corporate partners keen to become involved,” Mr Whicker said.
“The flexibility of the commercial broadcast platform gives us scope to showcase the competition to a wider audience.
“We are also discussing some very exciting ideas with Channel 7 and McGuire Media including blockbuster matches and the possibility of night finals.”
I notice talks have suddenly gone quiet in WA. Is our weak kneed commission simply going to follow suit? With the once great wafl competition nows just a farce, it wouldn’t matter!