TV Audiences to round 7

*Please note none of the following counts regional FTA ratings*

• YTD FTA metro total 2012: 17,732,000
• YTD FTA metro round average 2012: 2,533,000
• YTD Fox national total 2012: 11,885,000
• YTD Fox national round average 2012: 1,693.000

Total Ratings

• 2012 Total ratings (FTA metro and fox national R1-7): 29,587,000
• 2011 Total ratings (FTA metro and fox national R1-7): 21,565,000
• Metro Fta and Fox ratings are UP 37% on the same time last year

Average Ratings

• 2012 Round ratings average – 4,226,714 2011
• Round Rating average – 3,080,714

Sydney and Brisbane

• Sydney and Brisbane FTA ratings 2012: 1,886,000
• Sydney and Brisbane FTA ratings 2011: 1,990,006
• Sydney and Brisbane FTA ratings are down 104,006 (5%)

Foxtel

• Foxtel National ratings 2012: 11,885,000
• Foxtel National ratings 2011: 4,107,000
• Foxtel National ratings are UP 7,778,000 (189%)
• Foxtel average match audience 2011 – 164,280 (25 matches shown)
•  Foxtel average match audience 2012 – 188,651 (63 matches shown)
• Foxtel average match audiences have risen by 24,371 (14.8%)

 

AFL imposes new costs on AFL clubs

It was reported in The Age on April 19th that the AFL had sent a list of things with cost increases to the clubs that were too late to include in their 2012 budgets. Several clubs are reportedly upset by these developments as the cost increases include mobile phone apps, Brownlow seating allocations and clubs with their own matchball sponsorships. VFL license costs will also rise affecting Collingwood and Geelong in particular.

 It was further reported in The Age on May 10th, that a delegation of Clubs lead by Carlton had appealed to the AFL but had their protests fall on deaf ears, with each club now resigned to picking up an extra $100,000 a year in costs. The AFL has conceded that while some things were out of its control, it could have communicated these things better and in a more timely fashion..

Media

• May 10, 2012 – “Finance protests rejected” – The Age
• April 19, 2012 – “Clubs hurting as AFl raises costs” – The Age

The TV Now Saga continues

Reported in The Register today – Optus has confirmed it will try to take the case to the High Court. Its CEO trying to add further impetus to their case by saying that since Optus is a major TV sport advertiser, it deserves to keep its TV Now service operating because its Customers shouldnt have to pay twice for the same product.

Reference: May 10, 2012 – “Optus CEO: Our ads pay for TV Sport so let TV Now live” – The Register

2012 Membership update

Membership Totals at May 10, 2012

• Collingwood ~68,000*
• Hawthorn 58,896
• West Coast 53,545
• Richmond 48,554
• Essendon 45,525
• Carlton 44,338
• Adelaide 43,051
• Geelong 38,190
• Fremantle 38,000*
• Port Adelaide 36,943
• Melbourne 34,489
• St Kilda 34,097
• North Melbourne 32,276
• Western Bulldogs 28,288
• Sydney 27,152
• Brisbane 20,324
• Gold Coast 11,048
• GWS 9,080
• * taken from media reports, otherwise all from club wwebsites as at 8pm May 10

Adelaide and Perth Stadium announcements

In a week where some Victorian clubs were knocked back, Adelaide and Perth have received a boost with the news that stadium developments are proceeding.

The final design for the Adelaide Oval redevelopment has been revealed, as seen below:

A lot of detail can be found here at: http://www.adelaideovalredevelopment.com.au/fast_factshttp://www.adelaideovalredevelopment.com.au/fast_facts

Over in the West, and the new Perth Stadium at Burswood has been given the nod, with a 60,000 seater stadium to be built.with an optional extension to 80,000. The ground will have somewhat smaller dimensions than Subiaco.

ref:

• May 7th, 2012 – “Burswood Capacity revealed” – The West Australian

Clubs lose out on Vic Gov Funds

Reported in a number of newspapers and foreshadowed prior to the delivery of the budget, Collingwood, Essendon, Melbourne and North Melbourne have been told no by the Victorian Government.

Most drastically this will effect North melbourne, who will now have to postpone any plan to move to Ballarat, since no funding will be forthcoming under the current government.

The news is a setback for Essendon, and will force club benefactors to dig deeper to cover the multi million dollar shortfall. Likewise Collingwood have also had their request denied.

• May 2nd, 2012 – “AFL funding knockback” – The Age
• May 8th, 2012 – “Budget puts paid to Roos regional dream” – The Age

 

Vic Gov angry with Pies over development

Todays Heraldsun is reporting that the Victorian Government knew nothing about the Pies development at the former Olympic Park despite it being the landlord.

The Victorian Sports Minister is reported as saying

“The Australian Government has not consulted with me leading up to this announcement, which is surprising as the precinct is owned by the State Government and managed by Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust”

The Article also states developments by North Melbourne in Ballarat, and Essendon at  Tullamarine are likely to be denied state funding in the Victorian budget.

• May 1st - “State of Anger at Pies” – Heraldsun

Plans for Football park post AFL revealed

The Advertiser, yesterday revealed that several grandstands and a capacity of well over 40,000 will remain in place for at least ten years following the removal of AFL games to Adelaide Oval.

Collingwood gets 10 million for the Lexus Centre

Collingwood and the Federal Government yesterday confirmed $10 million of funding for its Community Development at the former Olympic Park.\

The total project combines a $10 million redevelopment of Collingwood‘s facilities at the Westpac Centre (being fully funded by the Collingwood Football Club); a new MCG sized sports oval and two lane running track redevelopment by Melbourne & Olympic Park Trust (as previously announced) and the new CFC Community Centre. The Federal Government’s commitment of $10 million will go directly to the Community Centre facilities which are estimated to cost $15 million. Collingwood will make a further contribution as well as seeking funding from other partners to complete the project.

ref: http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/134294/default.aspx

PM announces lighting upgrade for manuka oval

The Prime Minister today announced a 2.5 million dollar lighting upgrade for Manuka Oval to enable the playing of night matches at the facility in broadcast quality lighting.

Media ref:

• April 28th, 2012 - “Canberra a sea of orange” – AFL.com.au