bulldogtragic
06-04-2009, 02:47 PM
Bulldogs, St Kilda say TV networks are snubbing their games
AFL clubs the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda say they're being snubbed by the television networks.
Fans of the Bulldogs and Saints will see about half their teams' games on free-to-air TV during the home-and-away season, despite the fact the two Victorian clubs started the season heavily tipped to make the top four and potentially challenge for a grand final berth.
Only 11 of the Bulldogs' 22 matches will be on free-to-air TV (channels Seven and 10) with just five games in the prime-time Friday night slot.
St Kilda fared even worse with 10 matches, and just three prime-time Friday night games.
In comparison, 18 Collingwood games and 16 Carlton games will get free-to-air coverage. Collingwood have six matches in prime-time and Carlton seven.
Bulldogs CEO Campbell Rose hit out at the free-to-air scheduling.
"I think it is unfair. It gives certain teams an unfair advantage ... clubs that have these advantages are being given a free kick,'' he said.
Mr Rose said the snub made the Bulldogs even more determined to smash the perception that the team did not attract big TV audiences.
St Kilda president Greg Westaway said of the TV fixture: ``We're disappointed with it. It's less than desirable and a lot worse than what we would have liked.
"We'd like to know what the system is. How do they work it out?''
The TV networks handballed the issue, saying the AFL set the fixture.
"AFL fixturing is a very complex task and, ultimately, fixture decisions rest with the AFL,'' said Channel 7 Melbourne manager Lewis Martin.
Carlton CEO Gregg Swann offered a pragmatic explanation.
"Carlton and Collingwood have the biggest membership base, and that's one factor,'' Mr Swann said.
"But I think form plays a big part in the TV fixture. Last year, when we were skating along the bottom, we only got one Friday night.
"Collingwood have also been going along fine so they also get some good prime-time exposure.''
The AFL defended the TV fixture saying the process was complex and included a range of stake holders including the State Government.
"Form is one reason, but broadcasters have their say as well,'' AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said. "They want a return on their investment and want the greatest number of viewers. But the AFL is the ultimate determiner of the TV fixture.''
St Kilda cheer squad leader Pam Mawson condemned the TV scheduling as bad for battlers. "It's really disappointing, especially to lot of families who can't afford to go to all of the club's games,'' she said.
Western Bulldogs cheer squad co-president David Porter also said the fixture was misguided and unfair.
"Obviously, we've got one of the lowest memberships, but to conclude that there's not many people watching this club play exciting football is misguided,'' he said. ``And it's unfair to fans who can't get to the game.''
Docklands ripping us off, MCG ripping us off, fans being jibbed and doggies members and supporters better get to every game and/or have Foxtel or get left behind by the corporate push by the AFL and Co. Top 4, prelim final, big expectations in 2009 and one of the most exciting teams can't get TV airtime. We get treated like a joke.
Source: Herald Sun - www.heraldsun.com.au
AFL clubs the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda say they're being snubbed by the television networks.
Fans of the Bulldogs and Saints will see about half their teams' games on free-to-air TV during the home-and-away season, despite the fact the two Victorian clubs started the season heavily tipped to make the top four and potentially challenge for a grand final berth.
Only 11 of the Bulldogs' 22 matches will be on free-to-air TV (channels Seven and 10) with just five games in the prime-time Friday night slot.
St Kilda fared even worse with 10 matches, and just three prime-time Friday night games.
In comparison, 18 Collingwood games and 16 Carlton games will get free-to-air coverage. Collingwood have six matches in prime-time and Carlton seven.
Bulldogs CEO Campbell Rose hit out at the free-to-air scheduling.
"I think it is unfair. It gives certain teams an unfair advantage ... clubs that have these advantages are being given a free kick,'' he said.
Mr Rose said the snub made the Bulldogs even more determined to smash the perception that the team did not attract big TV audiences.
St Kilda president Greg Westaway said of the TV fixture: ``We're disappointed with it. It's less than desirable and a lot worse than what we would have liked.
"We'd like to know what the system is. How do they work it out?''
The TV networks handballed the issue, saying the AFL set the fixture.
"AFL fixturing is a very complex task and, ultimately, fixture decisions rest with the AFL,'' said Channel 7 Melbourne manager Lewis Martin.
Carlton CEO Gregg Swann offered a pragmatic explanation.
"Carlton and Collingwood have the biggest membership base, and that's one factor,'' Mr Swann said.
"But I think form plays a big part in the TV fixture. Last year, when we were skating along the bottom, we only got one Friday night.
"Collingwood have also been going along fine so they also get some good prime-time exposure.''
The AFL defended the TV fixture saying the process was complex and included a range of stake holders including the State Government.
"Form is one reason, but broadcasters have their say as well,'' AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said. "They want a return on their investment and want the greatest number of viewers. But the AFL is the ultimate determiner of the TV fixture.''
St Kilda cheer squad leader Pam Mawson condemned the TV scheduling as bad for battlers. "It's really disappointing, especially to lot of families who can't afford to go to all of the club's games,'' she said.
Western Bulldogs cheer squad co-president David Porter also said the fixture was misguided and unfair.
"Obviously, we've got one of the lowest memberships, but to conclude that there's not many people watching this club play exciting football is misguided,'' he said. ``And it's unfair to fans who can't get to the game.''
Docklands ripping us off, MCG ripping us off, fans being jibbed and doggies members and supporters better get to every game and/or have Foxtel or get left behind by the corporate push by the AFL and Co. Top 4, prelim final, big expectations in 2009 and one of the most exciting teams can't get TV airtime. We get treated like a joke.
Source: Herald Sun - www.heraldsun.com.au