ABC TV signs 3 year deal with SANFL

[PhilH]

more details to follow soon

[PhilH]

Official Media Release from SANFL

ABC TV & SANFL PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES

The SANFL is delighted to announce that ABC TV has committed to a new three
year partnership to broadcast SANFL football.

ABC TV’s new three year deal to broadcast SANFL matches is a strong endorsement of the quality
of the SANFL competition and follows another year of ratings success for the broadcasts. Near
two million viewers tuned in to the ABC coverage of SANFL matches in 2005, a 17% increase on
2004. The partnership is now secured for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Head of TV Sport at the ABC, Iain Knight said, “It’s great news for the ABC to be signing this deal.
It’s a sign of maturity of the relationship between the two organisations and is a great chance for
the ABC to serve the needs of viewers and fans of footy in South Australia”.

SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker said “The SANFL regards this as a wonderful
outcome following very constructive negotiations with ABC Television. It ensures that both
metropolitan and regional viewers will continue to have great television coverage of SANFL
football. The new three year commitment gives us greater security in our efforts to continually
showcase and promote the best State League Football competition in Australia. We are delighted
with ABC TV’s commitment to us”.

The SANFL looks forward to another successful year of football coverage in 2006 and in years to
come.

SANFL match coverage can be seen each Saturday afternoon on ABC Television during the SANFL
minor rounds and on Sunday afternoons during the Finals. SANFL Round 1 matches commence
31st March 2006.

end of release

[old blue]

That's excellent news Phil, thanks for posting it.

[doggies4eva]

Please broadcast these matches in the NT, ABC - like you used to.

[MightyEagles]

I just hope that there is a even spread of the teams on the TV so more people go to the Eagles games.

[TroyGFC]

SANFL match coverage can be seen each Saturday afternoon on ABC Television during the SANFL
minor rounds and on Sunday afternoons during the Finals. SANFL Round 1 matches commence
31st March 2006.

Does that mean ABC will broadcast the Glenelg Norwood game Friday night?

[Wedgie]

Excellent news, really good to get a 3 year deal and not have to worry about a deal every year.
Doggies 4 Eva, there's a good chance the games will be on ABC2 weekly like last year, get a set top box or Foxtel/Austar digital.
TroyGFC, no, its just saying the SANFL Rd 1 commences then, nice try though.

[Jimmy]

excellent news :D:D

[Wedgie]

Near two million viewers tuned in to the ABC coverage of SANFL matches in 2005, a 17% increase on
2004.

Its only when discussing this further at work with Manny today how I realised how damn impressive this is.

2 million in a year works out at approx 70,000 per game

And as a comparison 85,000 people watched Deal or No Deal last night and 46,000 watch Bert Newton's Family Feud.

Considering these games are almost always up against a live AFL game its doubly impressive.

I think someone should show these figures to the head honchos at the Advertiser!

[spell_check]

I suppose the ABC have already considered it and would have "binned" the idea, but in order to solve the occasional Saturday game that comes up against the AFL, why don't the ABC cover the Friday night game on that round (provided there is one) and show that in the Saturday afternoon spot. Then we don't have to have a Saturday game against the AFL.

[Wedgie]

I suppose the ABC have already considered it and would have "binned" the idea, but in order to solve the occasional Saturday game that comes up against the AFL, why don't the ABC cover the Friday night game on that round (provided there is one) and show that in the Saturday afternoon spot. Then we don't have to have a Saturday game against the AFL.

Why have a match from the night before up against an AFL match as opposed to an almost live game?

[Wedgie]

I wonder how the ABC plans to cover the Rd 3 double header? Hopefully it'll be something like the finals when both games get a gig, if not, I wonder if they just delay the 1st game (Central v Glenelg) or only show the 2nd game live (Norwood v Eagles).

This is how I see the ABC coverage pan out of the first few weeks:

Rd 1 North v Eagles
Rd 2 Port v Central
Rd 3 one of the double header
Rd 4 West v Norwood (possibly Port v South) and Anzac Day game
Rd 5 South v Sturt
Rd 6 Sturt v West
Rd 7 North v Port

The rest are too far ahead for my crystal ball to pick up.

[spell_check]

Well yes, I know that but it would solve a minor problem on the SANFLs' behalf, without straying out of the ABC comfort zone.

[Wedgie]

Well yes, I know that but it would solve a minor problem on the SANFLs' behalf, without straying out of the ABC comfort zone.

What problem?

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Great News for me. since i am Moving to Y.P. next Month !
Be able to Watch the Cocks nearly every Week , since they Show the Game of the Week ?
They should be on at least 10 times again, Like Last Year !

[Wedgie]

:) Great News for me. since i am Moving to Y.P. next Month !
Be able to Watch the Cocks nearly every Week , since they Show the Game of the Week ?
They should be on at least 10 times again, Like Last Year !

Bad luck RRTW, they show what they deem the best game of Saturday and not Sunday or Fri night games hence if North are lucky you'll get 2 games to watch in the first 2 months!

Looking at the draw I think there'll be about 6 North games on during the minor round, you'll have to get off your ass and get back to the city for the rest!

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Looks like ill be doing lots of Driving then, Doesnt it !

[Wedgie]

Looks like ill be doing lots of Driving then, Doesnt it !

Nah, you own a Holden, it looks like you'll be doing lots of walking!
Probably quicker to swim half the distance too.

[Hazydog]

Great news for the SANFL, however balancing the programming may become more difficult if the trend towards night footy takes off even further.
The temptation may be to program the "bigger games" at night to maximise attendances, leaving an inferior product for the ABC to telecast on a Saturday.
It's a shame that the majority of footy followers in the state have been brainwashed into believing that watching Western Bulldogs v Kangaroos on a Friday night is more appetising than say Centrals v North.
Having said that it might be an interesting test case?

[Coorong]

Moving to YP, Think I can hear the cheering from many Adelaide residents way over here.