New AFL TV rights deal: 7 years, $4.5 billion

[one-eyed]

Network Ten and their streaming partner Paramount Plus are making a joint bid for the entire AFL broadcasting package from the end of 2024.

In a move that represents a major shake-up for the AFL - and should deliver a heftier broadcasting deal - Paramount Plus and Ten are putting together a joint bid that could lead to them splitting the nine games per round between streaming and free-to-air broadcasts.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-lot-ten-and-paramount-afl-broadcast-bid-will-be-for-everything-20220426-p5ag88.html

[one-eyed]

Network Ten has launched a monster $3 billion bid to broadcast every AFL game for the 2025 season, according to The Weekend Australian.

Outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan is currently deep in TV negotiations with several networks, with the report stating Ten is offering $600m per season for at least five years.

While it is believed that current rights holders – Channel 7 and Foxtel – are still favourites to retain broadcast rights beyond 2024, Ten’s lucrative play at AFL rights is set to ignite a bidding war.

Ten has reportedly told AFL executives that its intention would be to show some games on their main free to air channel, with other matches to be streamed on streaming service Paramount Plus.

Paramount Plus recently launched in Australia, with their first foray into domestic rights coming after they inked a five-year deal to broadcast A-League matches.

The report also states that Channel 9 – who currently own free to air NRL rights – have put formal a proposal to air Thursday night AFL games.

Channel 9 currently owns subscription streaming service Stan, which has rights to Rugby Union and all four tennis majors.

The current AFL TV deal ends at the end of the 2024 season, with the AFL opting to extend both their free to air and subscription TV partners for further seasons during two pandemic-affected years.

An announcement on TV rights is expected to come within weeks, ahead of Gillon McLachlan stepping down as CEO at the end of the season.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/bidding-war-looms-as-network-ten-lobs-3bn-bid-for-afl-broadcast-rights/news-story/93d86a8c7cbf63b309dc880009a91c09
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/07/02/report-network-launches-billion-dollar-bid-for-afl-rights/

[one-eyed]

Pay TV giant Foxtel has agreed to let Channel Seven stream key AFL matches online in a late concession that could knock rival bidders out of negotiations for the national code’s next media rights deal.

Seven, which is controlled by billionaire Kerry Stokes, currently lacks the rights to show the games it broadcasts on free-to-air on its streaming app 7Plus. These games are instead available on Foxtel’s online streaming service, Kayo Sports. Seven has insisted it gains full access to its games, including the ability to stream them, to renew its six decade long relationship with the league.

https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/foxtel-backs-down-on-streaming-in-attempt-to-clinch-afl-rights-20220817-p5bald.html

[one-eyed]

Silent auction: Media execs in billion-dollar pitch for AFL rights

Zoe Samios
The Age
September 5, 2022

The AFL is on the verge of securing a new multi-billion dollar deal to broadcast matches across Australia, but will pit its potential broadcast partners against one another for the last time on Monday in an effort to maximise cash for the code.

Media companies Nine Entertainment Co, Paramount, Seven West Media and Foxtel will present to the AFL’s top executives in what industry sources are describing as a silent auction designed to keep pressure on the current broadcast partners and generate more money than the $946 million being paid to the sport over the next two years.

The media sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are commercial in confidence, said the AFL organised the back-to-back meetings for this Monday despite the terms of a new agreement being all but signed with Seven and Foxtel. They are asking each broadcaster for their best and final bids and a deal could be signed before the end of the week.

Some executives believe the move is a way to maximise cash from the incumbents, while others have suggested the talks are ongoing because a deal could still land with Nine, the owner of this masthead, and its streaming service Stan.

Nine, Paramount, Seven, Foxtel and the AFL declined to comment.

Regardless of outcome, the AFL could receive up to $50 million per annum more than its existing deal, which would bring a five-year agreement to $2.6 billion. The AFL’s last long-term deal was $2.5 billion and ran for six years. The current deal runs from 2022 to 2024 and is costing the broadcasters $946 million in cash and contra (free advertising).

Seven and Foxtel were at loggerheads for months over key elements of a future arrangement, including the number of live matches on free-to-air. The AFL was considering delaying two free-to-air matches each week by up to two hours in interstate markets to give Foxtel more exclusivity for its streaming service Kayo Sports.

Media sources said those concerns are now resolved. A new deal will lead to AFL games in NSW and Queensland shown live exclusively on Foxtel and on a delay of up to two hours on Channel Seven under the terms that have been agreed. There will be no changes to the number of games on delay in South Australia and Western Australia and Victoria will be unaffected, according to the sources.

Seven will be able to stream games on its online video service, 7Plus, and Foxtel will air AFL games exclusively on Saturdays each week.

https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/silent-auction-media-execs-in-last-billion-dollar-pitch-for-afl-rights-20220902-p5bf03.html

[WilliamPowell]

If the last paragraph is true

The goodbye live Saturday night footy on FTA television

Hope Gil is proud! Sure he and the commission will pat themselves on the back, say we've set a record and well done aren't we great 

[JP Tiger]

I just hope the AFL use the money to upgrade their cameras to high definition/high frame rate.  Fair dinkum, mobile phone footage shot from the stands of THAT shot at goal was of higher quality than the product from Ch7 ...   

[Francois Jackson]

Like the good old days. Interstate footy on delay, and now Pensioners have to pay up to watch footy etc
 
What a pathetic and corrupt organization they are.

[Broadsword]

Like the good old days. Interstate footy on delay, and now Pensioners have to pay up to watch footy etc
 
What a pathetic and corrupt organization they are.

Spot on. String 'em up and hang 'em high.

[Francois Jackson]

signed on he dotted line. What is funny is some on here thought Andy D was bad
 
Fox become bigger. WP who owns foxtel?

[one-eyed]

Seven years, $4.5b: AFL reveals HUGE new broadcast rights deal

afl.com.au
6 September 2022

THE AFL has landed the biggest sports broadcast rights deal in Australian history after extending its partnership with the Seven Network, Foxtel and Telstra for another seven seasons.

The League's current broadcast rights deal goes for another two years, through to the end of 2024, but on Tuesday the AFL secured the television rights through to the end of 2031.

In one of Gillon McLachlan's final major moves as chief executive of the AFL, the League has bolstered its future with a $4.5 billion deal across the Seven, Foxtel and Telstra agreement after meeting with key bidders on Monday to hear final pitches.

The AFL's new deal is worth $643 million a season - an upgrade on the $473 million per season under the terms of the current two-year deal that ends after the 2024 season.

KEY POINTS OF THE AFL'S NEW DEAL

* The deal will run for seven years, from 2025 to 2031

* It is worth $4.5 billion - the biggest sports broadcast rights deal in Australian history

* The same number of games will be broadcast on free-to-air TV each season

* The AFL will retain control of the timing of the Grand Final

* Seven and 7+ Digital will broadcast Thursday night games in each of the first 15 rounds of the season

* All marquee matches will be live and free on Seven (Dreamtime, Anzac Day Eve, Anzac Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Queen's Birthday) plus at least three additional marquee matches - such as the season opener and Queen's Birthday Eve

* At least 30 NAB AFLW home and away games, AFLW finals and the AFLW Grand Final will be live and free on Seven and 7+ Digital

* All AFL and AFLW home and away games and finals (excluding the AFL Grand Final) will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo, with their own commentary teams

* Foxtel and Kayo will exclusively broadcast a 'Super Saturday' of games in each of the first eight rounds of the season (except Anzac Day Eve, Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the 'G if they fall on Saturday)

https://www.afl.com.au/news/837244/watch-live-afl-reveals-seven-year-4-5b-broadcast-rights-deal

[WilliamPowell]

signed on he dotted line. What is funny is some on here thought Andy D was bad
 
Fox become bigger. WP who owns foxtel?

Who cares who owns it

Despite what Gil  spruiked yesterday this is not a great deal for fans in particular those who cannot afford pay TV or streaming services. No Saturdwy night games for 8 rouns a year is a slap in the face to the fans

And just on Fox I wonder if they will bother to sending commentators to interstate games under this new deal or just continue having them call from the studio in Melbourne?