Coverage Too Late And Too Annoying

The Sunday Age

Sunday July 13, 2008

Tony Dillon, Hawthorn member

HOW did it all go so wrong? The Channel Seven/Channel Ten alliance paid a record sum of $780 million for the current AFL television broadcast rights, and has delivered to the people of Melbourne nothing short of a disgraceful coverage.

Take Channel Seven. It covers only two games per round, neither of which goes live into Melbourne homes. The Friday night game does not get underway until about 8.45pm, a most unfriendly family time. Too late for children to watch the game, and even I struggle after three-quarter-time, which at about 11pm, is far too late at the end of a busy week.

I have given up struggling through the entire game, preferring instead to catch the final score on radio at three-quarter-time of the TV coverage, before going to bed, no matter how close the game is.

And to top it off, the coverage is punctuated by monotonous advertisements after every goal, no matter how many goals are kicked, ensuring little continuity in the game.

The Sunday game is arguably worse, again delayed by an hour, but with no attempt even made to "pretend" the coverage is live with often multiple advertisements after goals. And to treat its viewers with even more disrespect, it races to the 6pm news at the sound of the final siren, with no post-game coverage whatsoever.

The Channel Ten coverage is little better, with its two games delayed on Saturday afternoon and evening, and also with the relentless bombardment of advertisements after goals kicked.

This is all such a pity when both channels have excellent commentary teams, and superb production teams; offset by the networks' contempt for the public.

Tony Dillon, Hawthorn member

If you have a strong opinion about your team or an issue you think needs tackling, send about 350 words to sundaysport@theage.com.au, marked "Readers' Corner". Include your name, age, occupation and team you support.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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