SANFL games with no Radio - TV coverage

[Sojourner]

I notice that this weekends game between Westies and North will not be covered on either of the SANFL radio stations nor the ABC. No doubt this will get several responses suggesting that this is because of the positioning of the clubs on the ladder, yet my information is that the match scheduling is done well in advance when positions on the ladder are unlikley to be known.

I am worried that this is likely to become more common with games being missed out because of lack of resources to go around to cover each match.

The problem could be solved if a third radio station was able to join with the current two, yet that is unlikely to happen in the medium term.

Yet what could happen is Life Fm covering two games on the weekend rather than just one on a regular basis and the same for 5RPH.

South are keen for Games on Sundays, various SANFL clashes are popular on Friday nights and if Glenelg do get their lights project working that will expand that area a little.

With that in mind maybe the SANFL, 5RPH and LifeFM could meet together and have a discussion on what needs to be done to enable full coverage of the SANFL on radio.

If LifeFM were prepared to do the additional coverage if the programming could be split so that could happen, maybe the SANFL could look into how they might be able to assist LifeFM to make that happen in the interest of promoting the SANFL.

Games that are played with no coverage on the media only serves to place a perception in the eye of the public that the SANFL in general is the also rans of Aussie Rules football. Yet if we can get out on the front foot and promote the leauge the best way we can, there is no reason that we cant both increase our attendances and have our Grand Final each year as a sell out. They key is to be proactive and do something rather than just sitting back and doing nothing as seems to be the case at present with the current situation.

[LPH]

Sojo... this will be a point that I intend to add to a proposal I am coming up with for season 2008.
This is NOT the 1st time that such a problem has come up.
Even an 'around the grounds' update/score service would suffice @ worst.

Am currently seeking financial backers for a project... drafting has begun

[smac]

You may want to get an avatar that keeps it's pants on if you wish to be taken seriously by potential sponsors, LEH.

You raise some good points Sojourner and some weeks, radio commentary teams do broadcast 2 games.

Perhaps it is simply the expected excitement of the North/West game being too much for the comms equipment they use in the broadcasts?

[Benchwarmer]

I agree with your last paragraph, Sojourner.

We are fortunate over in the West that we have four radio stations (6WF - ABC, Information Radio - 990 AM, Sport FM - 90.5FM, Radio Fremantle 107.9FM) and one TV network to cover the four WAFL matches each week. It allows full access to what is going on at all grounds without the hope that eventually the coverage of your match goes to a particular ground for a score update.

The fact that three of the four are community or "minor" stations means that they are more eager to cover matches than a ratings-minded, commercial station who are more worried about dollars and ratings rather than providing a service (which is why radio exists!).

On the odd occasion where the ABC radio coverage on Saturday is a 12.00/2.30 AFL double header, the WAFL usually makes sure that the four matches are covered by 3 radio and 1 TV with no double up at the one venue to eliminate any blackouts.

[smac]

Not entirely sure what this adds to this discussion but I didn't see a new thread needed for it.

Of the 22 games covered so far this season by ABC (they covered 2 in round 4 due to ANZAC day game on the Wednesday), the spread between the clubs is as follows:

Code: Select all

South.......7
North.......6
Sturt.......6
Centrals....5
Port........5
Eagles......5
Norwood.....4
Glenelg.....3
West........3

Given South have been as disappointing as West this year, it certainly isn't based on performance and it isn't based on numbers of supporters either.

Does anyone have stats for games not covered by radio or TV? Would be interesting to see if there are similar weightings toward or against any clubs.

[PhilH]

I do have all the radio allocation for the year .... give me a few days

At LifeFM We have had from time to time people SMS score updates from non radio games live to the commentary team. Will try to do the same for the North v West game this week (Any volunteers to help?)

Also what we did at LifeFM over last few weeks is try to give better coverage on radio of the ABC TV game

Two weeks ago we had Peter Argent live from Woodville as the final siren went with Eagles winning by 3pts over North.
Last week I bought a mini TV set and was able to give live updates literally as they happened of the second half of Port v Norwood.

Will be able to do the same for Sturt v Glenelg match this week (will be of interest to North & Eagles listeners after their match finishes).

When doing Saturday games LifeFM is committed to keeping the footy broadcast on air until the ABC TV game is done so make sure you tune in after the early games are concluded.

[smac]

Should have guessed you would have it Phil!

I look forward to seeing the info. Cheers.

[Aerie]

It would be great if all games could be covered, but understand there may not be the resources to go around. Great effort by RPH to do two games last Saturday.

With regards to 5rph coverage - I may be mistaken - but at the start of the season they went right through to 5pm didn't they? For the last month or so they've been off air usually by 4.45pm. I wish either LifeFM or 5rph would stay on till at least 5pm as it's always good to listen about the games when you get back in the car and I reckon if they stayed on an extra half hour they may get a bigger audience than those that actually listen to the game given approx 10,000 people are all getting in their cars and switching the radio on at the same time after a game.

[bosvit]

Basically Westies get about 75% of their games covered at best.

Just recently we went
No coverage
No coverage
Coverage RPH
No coverage
Coverage Life FM
and now No coverage again

I have been unlucky enough to miss 3 games recently due to other commitments and only the Glenelg game was covered.

Guess thats what you get when you are the smallest supporter base and have finished bottom 3 years in a row.

[PhilH]

To be fair to RPH in the past two weeks they have had to dash off from Norwood then Prospect to get to Elizabeth to set up for going live to air at 6.15pm. They only have one broadcast kit and it does take some time to pack up, get to the car, unpack car and set up so I think you need to accept its a very fair tradeoff to lose some afternoon post game in return for getting the night game in full.

As said earlier LifeFM on Saturday, will stay on until all games are done and wrapped up which usually takes us close to 5pm.

[MightyEagles]

What I hate is that 5aa claims to be the best, but only picks and chooses the SANFL games as they see fit, all because of this AFL bid that they have that they broadcast all these AFL games when games here in SA don't have any TV or radio coverage.

[JAS]

As one of the minority that rely solely on the online radio coverage I have to say that I think LifeFM and RPH do a fantastic job...much better than the barrage of screaming from KG or Rex that you get with AFL (but that's been covered in other threads). However, no matter how many live scoreboard thingys appear on web sites and how often we try to help each other on here by posting scores it really is no substitute for a live commentary. In an ideal world I would love to see every game covered by radio including the one on TV...in fact in an ideal world I would love to see every game broadcast live online (even as pay-per-view) Just my 2 cents worth

Regards
JAS

[Wedgie]

When John Nankivill is in the studio of RPH they usually give comprehensive around the grounds reports, well they have for the one's I've covered for them which has been 2 or 3 times this year.
At least with this week's Westies v North game there's the NAFC.com.au live scoreboard, I usually post some comments on the Roost like ressies scores, goalscorers, etc using my phone.

[bosvit]

When John Nankivill is in the studio of RPH they usually give comprehensive around the grounds reports, well they have for the one's I've covered for them which has been 2 or 3 times this year.
At least with this week's Westies v North game there's the NAFC.com.au live scoreboard, I usually post some comments on the Roost like ressies scores, goalscorers, etc using my phone.

Your the best Wedgie,

If it wasn't for you the washing just wouldn't be the same....

[PhilH]

OK, got home & found the sheets straight away.

NB - Allocation for Rd 23 to be finalised

From round 1-22 (86 games)
- 64 (75%) were on radio (42 RPH, 22 Life FM, 0 fiveaa)
- 23 have been on TV

Broken Up Further
- 51 - Radio only
- 13 - TV and Radio
- 10 - TV no radio
- 12 - No Radio or TV

On Radio &/or TV in 2007 (Out of 19 games each except 20 for Central)
- 18 times - Norwood, Port, Central, South
- 17 times - Eagles
- 16 times - Glenelg
- 15 times - North & Sturt
- 14 times - West

On Radio in 2007 (Out of 19 games, each except 20 for Central)
- 16 times - Port & Norwood
- 15 times - South & Central
- 14 times - Eagles & Glenelg
- 13 times - Sturt & North
- 12 times - West

Of the 12 games not on either radio or TV
- 5 could only be covered with a 3rd radio station involved
- 5 could have been covered if RPH &/or LifeFM had picked up an extra game
- 2 could have been covered if radio was allocated the non broadcast game instead of ABC TV game.

Cheers
Phil

[Sojourner]

What I hate is that 5aa claims to be the best, but only picks and chooses the SANFL games as they see fit, all because of this AFL bid that they have that they broadcast all these AFL games when games here in SA don't have any TV or radio coverage.

I agree, 5AA rarely broadcast SANFL football and the sports show has less and less SANFL content each year.

This is said out of anger and perhaps isnt the best idea, yet I do feel like it might be better if 5AA were told that only the radio stations that have supported and broadcasted the SANFL minor round games get to broadcast the SANFL Grand Final and as 5AA do with 3AW, they can rebroadcast the 5RPH / LifeFM coverage.

[saintal]

Good work Phil

[Thiele]

When John Nankivill is in the studio of RPH they usually give comprehensive around the grounds reports, well they have for the one's I've covered for them which has been 2 or 3 times this year.
At least with this week's Westies v North game there's the NAFC.com.au live scoreboard, I usually post some comments on the Roost like ressies scores, goalscorers, etc using my phone.

Hail Sir Wedgie

[Wedgie]

Crikey, Port, South and Norwood get a good run considering they're not even good enough to make the finals!

[CK]

Although it may be a little while after the event - and it has been mentioned on another forum - don't forget you can get copies of non-broadcast (and all other non-ABC) games from Pine Lodge Studios (8271 1669), so you won't miss any of your team's games this year.