NINE dumps Wimbledon

[sapaul]

source

The Nine Network has dumped Wimbledon after almost 40 years as it readies for a bidding war for AFL rights.

“Unfortunately, it (Wimbledon) hasn’t rated well in recent years and we think that money is now better invested on other sporting properties,” GTV9 boss Jeff Browne told the Herald Sun.

The move is tipped to save Nine about $15 million in licence fees and production costs, money it can now throw at the AFL and NRL.

Nine is believed to be particularly keen on pioneering Monday night football and is also committed to showing all games live, which Seven has shied away from doing.

But AFL TV audiences have been on a slide.

Seven’s Friday night football audiences are down 8.9 per cent, from an average of 462,000 last year to 421,000 this season. TEN’s Saturday night audiences dropped from a Melbourne average of 374,000 last year to 283,000 this season.

“Some slots are up, some are down. The ratings are still generally good, and we are certainly pleased that we are on track to break the attendance record and the club membership record,” AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan told the Herald Sun.

[dedja]

hopefully that the last we'll ever hear of Fred Stolle

[Brucetiki]

Hooray - I always watched the coverage on Fox Sports anyway because their coverage was live, not delayed as it was on 9.

This should mean we now get the semi's and final live on Fox next year.

[Dogwatcher]

Does this mean we're now a chance to get live Friday Night Football....

[NFC]

hopefully that the last we'll ever hear of Fred Stolle

Unfortunately he's still on Fox for the French.

[ORDoubleBlues]

I'm glad because as great as it would be to have sport remain on free to air, they treat the viewing public with contempt with their delayed coverages, which includes Wimbledon.

[Dutchy]

Gladly give up an over rated sport for the chance to see AFL live and get rid of Ch 7