Massive new TV Deal

[midfielder]

Hope this is true no online link from the TerrOR ... But massive news if correct

Have a link from frog

http://img696.yfrog.com/i/ffafox300mil.jpg/

Backpage on Telegraph:
NEW $300m Soccer Deal.
IT'S the ultimate shot in the arm for Australian soccer- a multi-million dollar TV deal that will provide a huge cash injection for the A-League. FFA and Fox Sports are in the advanced stages of agreeing a new five year deal worth $300m.

It is an increase in TV funding of almost two and a half times, with much of the benefit flowing straight to the A-League clubs.
It's understood they will receive a handout from the FFA to cover the wages of their players in the salary capped A-League, National youth League and womens W-League.

With the A-League beset by negative headlines over its declining crowds this season, the new deal agreed by Fox Sports chief David Malone would be the ultimate statement of faith in the Australian game.

Fox Sports would continue to broadcast all A-League games, the Socceroos home matches, Asian Champions League games and the Asian Cup.

Then on page 95 there is a two column article about the issue.

FFA Hits a $300m jackpot with Fox.

It says, Fox Sports is expected to replace the existing seven-year agreement struck in 2007, with the new deal worth nearly two and a half times as much. Fox's current deal has still four years to run, but may be replaced as early as next season.

Fox sports appears set to secure the same package, which includes the Socceroos home matches, Asian Cup, A-League, AFC Champions League.

The deal will secure the financing of struggling A-League clubs. The A-League clubs will receive 3million each season. This cash injection is expected to attract new investors.

Despite falling crowds this season, the ratings for the Socceroos continue to be a banker for Fox Sports, with excitement generated by the 2018-2022 WC Bid and the unchallenged hosting rights to holding the international nations 2015 Asian Cup tournament.

By expanding the A-League to 14 teams in 2018, we would get 4 spots in the Asian Champions League.

It's not known whether the new deal will contain any provision for free-to-air coverage, though FFA chief Frank Lowy has declared his desire to see some of the A-League on a terrestrial station.

 

[midfielder]

It would appear from the article that the talks are from the existing 17 million per year to 60 million per year... my guess is we promise to give Fox some of the next media as well..3

Yahoo if it is correct 60 million per year ... RL only gets 80 million per year on its current deal...

 

[Arabmariner]

I read that this morning MF.

Bloody good deal if it's correct.Especially with the current deal still having a few years to run.

A few will have a whinge about no FTA but tbh other than a highlights package I wouldn't trust them with our game.

 

[northernspirit]

great news if correct - however i think for the good of the game we should include some games on FTA even if its a slightly reduced $ amount, the increase in exposure on FTA would more than make up for it in commercial sponsorships and extra gate revenues and also build a higher profile for the sport in oz

 

[midfielder]

If this comes to pass that Fox give us 60 million per year instead of contract 17 million... While they will more than likely insist on the last right or a certain number of games in the next media deal... It must be said they have taken some considerable risks with football more than any other media company was willing to do... To put us within 20 million of what RL get from next year ... I say we need to say thank you Fox and remember them in the future...

 

[Arabmariner]

If this comes to pass that Fox give us 60 million per year instead of contract 17 million... While they will more than likely insist on the last right or a certain number of games in the next media deal... It must be said they have taken some considerable risks with football more than any other media company was willing to do... To put us within 20 million of what RL get from next year ... I say we need to say thank you Fox and remember them in the future...

Hear hear !

or is it

Here here !

 

[dibo]

there's nothing confirmed about there either being or not being an FTA option there. as MF says, it'd be Fox's option. that said, if it's done it'd be a game a week plus highlights - the majority of games would be on fox, just like the other codes. the no ads thing would be written in in the same way as one does live football sans ads.

 

[curious]

Steven Conroy has previously stated that Socceroo matches will be added to the Anti-siphoning list as soon as practicable which was likely following the completion of the existing Foxtel telecast contract in 2013. It's highly improbable any new deal going beyond the existing time frame would or could be signed before the release of the Sport on Television Review findings.
Fox of course have lobbied heavily against it and it now seems they are playing politics.
http://www.dbcde.gov.au/television/antisiphoning_and_antihoarding/sport_on_television_review_of_the_antisiphoning_scheme

 

[midfielder]

I think Curious is right Fox are trying to protect product from the FTA with their digitial stations...

If I read the article correctly FFA will pay the clubs with funds to cover the wages to salary cap levels of the A-League, W-League & Youth League... meaning depending on crowds and cost of hiring stadiums more marquees could be brought in and teams like MV could maybe get 3 marquees...

The Mariners will draw from the COE with yesterdays news .. but if FFA cover the salary cap wage bill it does open up the clubs to do a lot... as well as ensure every club puts out a decent team Scum excluded I hope.

 

[Arabmariner]

Yes Fox are trying to protect their product and I for one hope they're successful.

FTA in this country have never done anything to make me think they'd ever do anything to our game apart from harm.

They wouldn't offer anywhere near the Fox offer.If Fox want to pass anything over to them fair enough.....but leave it up to Fox imo.

 

[midfielder]

Just a tho... maybe it's uncle Jack on this hot Summer Night (Sorry to all those Neil Dimond fans) ... But does anyone think Fox is taking a guess that we win the WC bid next year and interest in the domestic comp and the Socceroos will grow and grow and grow...

 

[goingtoadisco]

i would still rather one or two free to air games a week.

 

[curious]

Just a tho... maybe it's uncle Jack on this hot Summer Night (Sorry to all those Neil Dimond fans) ... But does anyone think Fox is taking a guess that we win the WC bid next year and interest in the domestic comp and the Socceroos will grow and grow and grow...

Of course it's speculation on the part of fox, but that's normal practice. However, it's the socceroos games that holds the value by a log shot and that's what this 'leak' of a future new deal is all about. Fox are aware sharing them with fta will make the deal as a whole of far lesser commercial value to them than exclusive rights. The paytv industry have not only been aggressively lobbying against the governments promise to include socceroos on the anti siphon list, they have been doing the same against any sport or event of national significance being included. On top of that they have also have the same stance against the advent and increase of digital television licenses for FTA networks.
This is all about the socceroos with the aleague stuck in the middle of the politics.

BTW,,,I have heard enough complaints to make my ears bleed concerning the severe lack of overall media exposure with a resulting lack of public awareness and promotion of the aleague.
To want to deny the aleague the same exposure opportunity as the established codes enjoy  from fta television coverage and all the media exposure and broadstream acceptance that's part and parcel, is both insular and very short sighted. The excuse of protecting it's interests (or that of Fox) from the big bad fta wolf, is cutting off aleague's nose to spite it's face and sentencing it to remain a niche market.

I'd like to see a live game or two on a dedicated fta digital station, if not the abc/sbs, as soon as practicable. I think it's a long way off being ready for one of the big three primary networks.

 

[Jimmy]

I'd like to see all the games staying on fox with.
With the fox highlights program rebroadcasted on the ONE channel a day late or whatever. I guess they could just pump the hour ling program full of ads for foxtel.

 

[curious]

I'd like to see all the games staying on fox with.
With the fox highlights program rebroadcasted on the ONE channel a day late or whatever. I guess they could just pump the hour ling program full of ads for foxtel.

A fta channel is going to plug the exclusive product of their fierce competitor, paytv and pump out adds promoting the viewing of and taking up of paytv subscriptions? I didn't realise there was such a charitable brotherhood amongst competing media rivals.
I think it's more probable we'd see pigs fly, to be honest.

 

[Jimmy]

I'd like to see all the games staying on fox with.
With the fox highlights program rebroadcasted on the ONE channel a day late or whatever. I guess they could just pump the hour ling program full of ads for foxtel.

A fta channel is going to plug the exclusive product of their fierce competitor, paytv and pump out adds promoting the viewing of and taking up of paytv subscriptions? I didn't realise there was such a charitable brotherhood amongst competing media rivals.
I think it's more probable we'd see pigs fly, to be honest.

They do it now.

*watches pig fly by window*

 

[midfielder]

We have 4 years left on the current deal at 17 million... the new deal is 60 million per year for 5 years... one extra year and I guess Fox having certain option rights in the next media deal..Maybe also there is some FTA allowed by Fox who would on sell to one of the FTA thereby reducing their cost to some extent.. well I can hope anyway..

RL currently get 80 million per year until 2011 or 2012... on balance I think it is an excellent deal..

As a side issue the Roar got over 11K [season high] for their Wen night game ... summer mid weeks games if this trend keeps ups look positive..

 

[curious]

Has anyone noticed the subject of this tele article in any other mainstream media outlets? I haven't see it anywhere myself, including the kiddy comic, 442. They usual jump on any juicy gossip.

 

[Sean]

New commentators please.
Harper out.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Replace him with Bozza - 100% better

442 seem to get their news from retweets so maybe LM will tip them off. They cant even rewrite press releases well. They normally just repeat them verbatim.