Comments for The 84th Minute http://www.the84thminute.com Something Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:08:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on The Fisherman’s Friend Exposed by Recent Links Tagged With "fisherman" - JabberTags http://www.the84thminute.com/blogger-exposed/the-fisherman-friend/#comment-87 Recent Links Tagged With "fisherman" - JabberTags Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:49:33 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=84#comment-87 [...] public links >> fisherman The Fisherman’s Friend Exposed Saved by TheDistrict on Sun 09-11-2008 :: luxury :: Saved by MADSEEN2008 on Fri 31-10-2008 Up [...] [...] public links >> fisherman The Fisherman’s Friend Exposed Saved by TheDistrict on Sun 09-11-2008 :: luxury :: Saved by MADSEEN2008 on Fri 31-10-2008 Up [...]

]]> Comment on Superstition and football by Neil Zimmerman http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/superstition-and-football/#comment-85 Neil Zimmerman Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:48:04 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=137#comment-85 When Melbourne won the championship in 2006/07 I had this superstition of not washing my Victory top from about midway through the season. By the time the final came around, it absolutely reeked and I felt a little sorry for the person who sat next to me. But I guess it worked. When Melbourne won the championship in 2006/07 I had this superstition of not washing my Victory top from about midway through the season. By the time the final came around, it absolutely reeked and I felt a little sorry for the person who sat next to me. But I guess it worked.

]]> Comment on Not a time to rest on our TV laurels by Michael DiFabrizio http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/not-a-time-to-rest-on-our-tv-laurels/#comment-78 Michael DiFabrizio Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:43:18 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=133#comment-78 Pippinu (and others!) thanks for your thoughts. The anti-siphoning list is an interesting one -- it may end up hurting the FFA more than it helps. The FFA have convinced the government to hold back on that until the current deal expires (other wise they face paying millions in compensating Fox), but should events like WCQ or A-League Grand Finals be added to the list in the future, it may detract from the value of the next deal -- as exclusivity (a major component of the current deal) will no longer be on the table. I think regardless, come 2013 the FFA will be earning a lot more from broadcasting anyway (something in the NRL ballpark has been touted.) And at the end of the day, important events will be where they belong -- on FTA -- and a similar level of dedicated coverage will still exist on Fox. The next deal will be an improvement on so many levels. As for the short-term fixes you mentioned, I think you and Andy (the first commenter) have it right with a FTA replay/highlights package. The NBL showed the way last season with a one-hour replay package from the Saturday game on Nine, shown Sunday morning. Would be good to see Socceroos and A-League games shown in this capacity. Not exactly prime time, but it would definitely take the game to the people. (My pay TV-less self included.) Pippinu (and others!) thanks for your thoughts.

The anti-siphoning list is an interesting one — it may end up hurting the FFA more than it helps. The FFA have convinced the government to hold back on that until the current deal expires (other wise they face paying millions in compensating Fox), but should events like WCQ or A-League Grand Finals be added to the list in the future, it may detract from the value of the next deal — as exclusivity (a major component of the current deal) will no longer be on the table.

I think regardless, come 2013 the FFA will be earning a lot more from broadcasting anyway (something in the NRL ballpark has been touted.) And at the end of the day, important events will be where they belong — on FTA — and a similar level of dedicated coverage will still exist on Fox. The next deal will be an improvement on so many levels.

As for the short-term fixes you mentioned, I think you and Andy (the first commenter) have it right with a FTA replay/highlights package. The NBL showed the way last season with a one-hour replay package from the Saturday game on Nine, shown Sunday morning. Would be good to see Socceroos and A-League games shown in this capacity. Not exactly prime time, but it would definitely take the game to the people. (My pay TV-less self included.)

]]> Comment on Not a time to rest on our TV laurels by Pippinu http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/not-a-time-to-rest-on-our-tv-laurels/#comment-77 Pippinu Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:30:48 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=133#comment-77 Michael that was a really good article. When we signed what looked like a lucrative deal a bit over two years ago with Fox, I could see then that the devil was in the detail. At the time, not having pay TV (I do now!) I understood immediately that I wouldn't be seeing the Socceroos each time they played, be that friendly or qualifier, apart from the WC itself. But it's not just that, what about the youth teams? Once upon a time we got to see them play on SBS - but no more. We all now know that the FFA, at the time, felt compelled to bundle up everything into one package, to get the dough they desperately needed to kick start the A-League. Now, it must be said that there is a downside to opening everything up: 1. If the Federal Govt acts on its promise to put all WC qualifiers on the anti-siphoning list, that may potentially reduce the value of the whole package considerably, not only that, by reducing competition (with Fox out of the picture), there is no doubt that you would reduce the value of the bids. 2. Looking at the A-League, there's no doubt that there is an exposure benefit to having some of it on an FTA, but let's think about that. Unless it's ABC or SBS (with no ads), would we really want to watch an A-League game on FTA? Are we going to get big bucks out of the ABC and SBS? And if a commercial FTA does show one game per week live, for arguments sake, then one would assume that it would have to show ads during game time to recoup its investment (or it will bid very little for it). Having said all that, I would think that if Fox was amenable, we could continue extracting a good price for a largish bundle, while allowing some of the following things to happen: 1. Allow other media like radio and the web to broadcast a lot more than they do now; 2. Maybe allow an FTA run a replay of the A-League game of the week some 48 hours after Fox has shown it live; 3. Maybe get all the youth NTs back on SBS; 4. Maybe get a highlights show on a commercial FTA - getting around the whole issue of ads during games. Just some thoughts. Michael
that was a really good article.

When we signed what looked like a lucrative deal a bit over two years ago with Fox, I could see then that the devil was in the detail.

At the time, not having pay TV (I do now!) I understood immediately that I wouldn’t be seeing the Socceroos each time they played, be that friendly or qualifier, apart from the WC itself.

But it’s not just that, what about the youth teams? Once upon a time we got to see them play on SBS - but no more.

We all now know that the FFA, at the time, felt compelled to bundle up everything into one package, to get the dough they desperately needed to kick start the A-League.

Now, it must be said that there is a downside to opening everything up:
1. If the Federal Govt acts on its promise to put all WC qualifiers on the anti-siphoning list, that may potentially reduce the value of the whole package considerably, not only that, by reducing competition (with Fox out of the picture), there is no doubt that you would reduce the value of the bids.
2. Looking at the A-League, there’s no doubt that there is an exposure benefit to having some of it on an FTA, but let’s think about that. Unless it’s ABC or SBS (with no ads), would we really want to watch an A-League game on FTA? Are we going to get big bucks out of the ABC and SBS? And if a commercial FTA does show one game per week live, for arguments sake, then one would assume that it would have to show ads during game time to recoup its investment (or it will bid very little for it).

Having said all that, I would think that if Fox was amenable, we could continue extracting a good price for a largish bundle, while allowing some of the following things to happen:
1. Allow other media like radio and the web to broadcast a lot more than they do now;
2. Maybe allow an FTA run a replay of the A-League game of the week some 48 hours after Fox has shown it live;
3. Maybe get all the youth NTs back on SBS;
4. Maybe get a highlights show on a commercial FTA - getting around the whole issue of ads during games.

Just some thoughts.

]]> Comment on The Fisherman’s Friend Exposed by Charlie http://www.the84thminute.com/blogger-exposed/the-fisherman-friend/#comment-76 Charlie Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:54:17 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=84#comment-76 Hello WAYNE SNOWDON! from charlie bunt :E~~~~~ or look for pingpong on redbubble.com Hello WAYNE SNOWDON! from charlie bunt :E~~~~~ or look for pingpong on redbubble.com

]]> Comment on Not a time to rest on our TV laurels by Neil Zimmerman http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/not-a-time-to-rest-on-our-tv-laurels/#comment-66 Neil Zimmerman Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:09:53 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=133#comment-66 Clayton, I don't think the FFA, if it were to go down the line of a deal with a FTA channel, would let the game be treated as badly as it was during the Channel 7 debacle. It is a much smarter animal than the old organisation. It will be interesting to see how any new TV deal works with an expanded competition as well. At the moment, Foxtel virtually dictates the fixture so that it allows them to show every game live. But with the advent of more teams and thus more fixtures this will become more difficult to do so without severely compromising the competition itself. This may provide an opportunity to FTA channels to show one game a week much like the example Michael gives of both the AFL and NRL splitting games between free-to-air and pay. Clayton, I don’t think the FFA, if it were to go down the line of a deal with a FTA channel, would let the game be treated as badly as it was during the Channel 7 debacle. It is a much smarter animal than the old organisation. It will be interesting to see how any new TV deal works with an expanded competition as well. At the moment, Foxtel virtually dictates the fixture so that it allows them to show every game live. But with the advent of more teams and thus more fixtures this will become more difficult to do so without severely compromising the competition itself. This may provide an opportunity to FTA channels to show one game a week much like the example Michael gives of both the AFL and NRL splitting games between free-to-air and pay.

]]> Comment on Not a time to rest on our TV laurels by clayton http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/not-a-time-to-rest-on-our-tv-laurels/#comment-65 clayton Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:24:00 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=133#comment-65 hmmmm, whilst we want as many kids and families to have the chance to watch the a-league and the socceroos, we also need to be sure that the free to air channels really want to make a deal. never again should soccer let itself be treated as badly as it was when channel 7 had the rights. the right deal is great, the wrong deal is worse than sticking with foxtel. hmmmm,

whilst we want as many kids and families to have the chance to watch the a-league and the socceroos, we also need to be sure that the free to air channels really want to make a deal.

never again should soccer let itself be treated as badly as it was when channel 7 had the rights.

the right deal is great, the wrong deal is worse than sticking with foxtel.

]]> Comment on Not a time to rest on our TV laurels by andy http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/not-a-time-to-rest-on-our-tv-laurels/#comment-64 andy Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:05:19 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=133#comment-64 I have to agree that the lack of free to air coverage is hurting the A-league. I have been impressed with the job Fox Sports have done so far. Never before has the coverage of Australian footballeen so thorough. But that's alright for Australian football junkies like myself who would sell my mother to satisfy my football needs.........but what about the general sport following aussie who hasn't got foxtel. They are not getting to see the product. They can read about it in the papers, but do not get to see any action. At the very least, a highlights show on free to air is required. In fact, the whole promotion of the league has to be re-vamped and re-sold as it has all become a little flat. I was recently in Wellington for a week and realised how little exposure the A-league gets. I think evidence of this can be seen in the lower crowd numbers this season, even though I think the football this season is the best we've seen so far. I think Fox is doing a great job............... but to a limited audience. I'm sure the FFA are aware of all this and are working to rectify the situation. I'm sure the networks want to get hold of the Socceroos again, and would see the benefits of an A-league highlights package. With the Socceroos brand in demand, the FFA should be able to ensure the A-league is included in any future package offered to the networks. I have to agree that the lack of free to air coverage is hurting the A-league.
I have been impressed with the job Fox Sports have done so far.
Never before has the coverage of Australian footballeen so thorough.
But that’s alright for Australian football junkies like myself who would sell my mother to satisfy my football needs………but what about the general sport following aussie who hasn’t got foxtel.
They are not getting to see the product.
They can read about it in the papers, but do not get to see any action.

At the very least, a highlights show on free to air is required.

In fact, the whole promotion of the league has to be re-vamped and re-sold as it has all become a little flat.
I was recently in Wellington for a week and realised how little exposure the A-league gets.
I think evidence of this can be seen in the lower crowd numbers this season, even though I think the football this season is the best we’ve seen so far.
I think Fox is doing a great job…………… but to a limited audience.

I’m sure the FFA are aware of all this and are working to rectify the situation.
I’m sure the networks want to get hold of the Socceroos again, and would see the benefits of an A-league highlights package.
With the Socceroos brand in demand, the FFA should be able to ensure the A-league is included in any future package offered to the networks.

]]> Comment on Dear Mark Shield by Neil Zimmerman http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/dear-mark-shield/#comment-63 Neil Zimmerman Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:42:04 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=119#comment-63 My tongue was a tad in my cheek with this post, Alan but all honesty Mark Shield is/was streets ahead of all other referees in this country. When you now think that that Matthew Breeze and that Williams guy are our two FIFA refs, you have to worry. I don't think the solution is Asian referees, as most of them aren't up to scratch either. New referee advisor Mario van der Ende, has recommend the use of European referees for big games. I think this is a better option but they would need to get acclimatised to our style of football before being dropped into an all important match. My tongue was a tad in my cheek with this post, Alan but all honesty Mark Shield is/was streets ahead of all other referees in this country. When you now think that that Matthew Breeze and that Williams guy are our two FIFA refs, you have to worry. I don’t think the solution is Asian referees, as most of them aren’t up to scratch either. New referee advisor Mario van der Ende, has recommend the use of European referees for big games. I think this is a better option but they would need to get acclimatised to our style of football before being dropped into an all important match.

]]> Comment on Dear Mark Shield by andy http://www.the84thminute.com/comment/dear-mark-shield/#comment-61 andy Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:49:37 +0000 http://www.the84thminute.com/?p=119#comment-61 You must be kidding! He must be the worst referee I've ever seen! After 15 minutes of any game in which he officiates, he would have handed out 3 yellow cards already. The league suffers when our star players are forced to miss games ( there are only 21) because of dickhead refs like this bloke who hands out yellow cards as if he's throwing confetti at a wedding. I'm glad to see the arse end of him and would encourage a few of his mates to join him. Our referees are not good enough. We should bring in refs from Asia to complement the ones we have to try and raise the standard. We get the same refs week in week out, and they are crap! Good luck Mr Shield..........please don't come out of retirement. You must be kidding!
He must be the worst referee I’ve ever seen!
After 15 minutes of any game in which he officiates, he would have handed out 3 yellow cards already.
The league suffers when our star players are forced to miss games ( there are only 21) because of dickhead refs like this bloke who hands out yellow cards as if he’s throwing confetti at a wedding.
I’m glad to see the arse end of him and would encourage a few of his mates to join him.
Our referees are not good enough.
We should bring in refs from Asia to complement the ones we have to try and raise the standard.
We get the same refs week in week out, and they are crap!
Good luck Mr Shield……….please don’t come out of retirement.

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