There's now been two rounds since the season resumed following the lockdown, and here are my observations on my viewing practices now that I no longer have a Foxtel or Kayo subscription, and are relying on free access to consume games:
1) I've been reduced to watching some games on my iPad. This is because I can watch them through the AFL Live app, and because I am a Telstra customer. The first week I watched it, I could fool the technology into making the image the full screen size of the iPad by skipping in and out of the app, however it appears this was addressed by round 2, or I couldn't repeat it at least.
2) I've been watching highlights clips on YouTube for the games I don't watch. The AFL publishes 4-6 minute highlight packages shortly after each game, and these are nice bite-size videos to watch the games, although you don't really get a feel for how the teams perform, other than who kicked the goals.
3) I'm now super reliant on Footy Classified and online sources for information. Channel 7 canned some of their mid-week panel shows, and for some reason I still haven't gotten into the Front Bar, which I really should, but most of my regular info comes from a twice-weekly show on Channel 9 - who don't have the rights - and social media and websites, such as afl.com.au, and foxsports.com.au.
Also, here are some observations about the altered format since the games returned:
1) Firstly, I wasn't a fan of the shortened quarters, but after Essendon were forced to postpone a game when a player tested positive to COVID-19, it seems the AFL will need to play at least one make-up game, which will likely be mid-week sometime, and so the shortened quarters now look smart again.
2) The scoring will be a little lower, so all the haters who bitch about the low scores in the AFLW can shut the fuck up.
3) With 12 weeks between round 1 and 2, and players isolated during lockdown, the skills are not going to be great out of the gate, also limiting the quality of the games.
Also, Gold Coast look good, Carlton beat Geelong, the Tigers lost two in a row, and the Eagles hate being in the Queensland hub! This year is throwing up something different, that's for sure!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Participant Observation 2/6/20 - The Hall of Fame Awards and the Free-to-Air Knowledge Deficit
Really quick post today about my first observation that not having subscription television is impacting my access to information about what is happening in the league.
The Australian Football Hall of Fame is being held over three nights, starting yesterday, and I didn't realise this until I saw some posts on social media this morning.
This is peculiar, because when I have had subscription television previously, I would have been aware of the ceremony, and probably watched some of it as well.
It definitely would have been covered on AFL 360 in the lead up, and their coverage would extend into today as well.
Because I no longer have Foxtel, I didn't know this was happening. Obviously, with no games on at the moment, I haven't noticed this knowledge deficit much, but it also seems clear this is liable to happen more in the future as games come back and my access will be limited to the free-to-air coverage of games and programming.
I'm watching a lot of Footy Classified on Channel 9, but I know there is more coverage out there I could be engaging with, especially Channel 7's Front Bar and panel shows, and the Channel 9 Sunday Footy Show.
I don't feel as compelled to watch these because of the number of commercials in the coverage, and they are on at less convenient times compared to AFL 360, which was 7pm every night.
The Hall of Fame observation probably also indicates the amount of information I get from social media, and how that has become important as I've left Foxtel coverage.
The Australian Football Hall of Fame is being held over three nights, starting yesterday, and I didn't realise this until I saw some posts on social media this morning.
This is peculiar, because when I have had subscription television previously, I would have been aware of the ceremony, and probably watched some of it as well.
It definitely would have been covered on AFL 360 in the lead up, and their coverage would extend into today as well.
Because I no longer have Foxtel, I didn't know this was happening. Obviously, with no games on at the moment, I haven't noticed this knowledge deficit much, but it also seems clear this is liable to happen more in the future as games come back and my access will be limited to the free-to-air coverage of games and programming.
I'm watching a lot of Footy Classified on Channel 9, but I know there is more coverage out there I could be engaging with, especially Channel 7's Front Bar and panel shows, and the Channel 9 Sunday Footy Show.
I don't feel as compelled to watch these because of the number of commercials in the coverage, and they are on at less convenient times compared to AFL 360, which was 7pm every night.
The Hall of Fame observation probably also indicates the amount of information I get from social media, and how that has become important as I've left Foxtel coverage.
Monday, June 1, 2020
Participant Observations 1/6/20 - AFL Re-Booted and Bye Foxtel. Again
A few things to mark off this post, as it's been a while since I last wrote anything:
Bye Foxtel. Again
About a week after season 3 of Westworld ended, I cancelled my subscription with Foxtel Go, as this was really the only reason I signed up in the first place. I again filled out all the surveys they have now when you cancel a subscription, telling them why I left (price is too high, Westworld had ended...)
I also had just paid for another month, so I got about 3-4 weeks to watch any other shows I wanted on there. As it turns out, there weren't that many. Most I had already plowed through during the Westworld season.
However, I gave the login credentials to mum, and she was able to watch a bunch
of shows I recommended to her, such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and 30 Rock. So it was good she got some value out of it.
I also didn't need it because at that time, the AFL season was still suspended due to the caronavirus, and I want to stick to the free-to-air AFL experience this year anyway.
Binge Launch
In other News-related news, Foxtel launched their drama-only streaming service Binge recently. At only $10 or so a month, it seems well priced, but it obviously doesn't offer any sport, and it doesn't offer live broadcasts either - not that I expect that's much of a draw-card anyway.
Live broadcasts remain on Foxtel Go, which I think is the main differentiation between the two services. Foxtel Go is still way more expensive than Binge however, and the live content does not seem to justify the difference in price, unless Binge content is really old.
For example, I don't watch Westworld live, preferring to sit down at the end of the night and watch and replay it really intently. I would watch it on Binge if it's a lot cheaper, but if Binge doesn't provide access to the episodes shortly after they air (i.e., if they don't have replay rights) then I would still go to Foxtel Go. Liveness is a factor, even with some forms of drama!
We'll wait and see what happens by the next time Westworld season 4 rolls around. It probably won't be for a couple of years, and a lot can change between now and then.
AFL Re-Booted
The AFL announced the fixture for rounds 2-5 recently. The AFL plan to relaunch the competition also involves relocating four interstate teams to the Gold Coast (ie., Adelaide, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle) because of border and self-isolation restrictions in those states.
This compromises some of the fixture, because I think Brisbane play four straight games in Queensland, while all four of those relocated teams play 'home' games at Metricon stadium.
Sydney meanwhile have a pretty good draw, with three games in Sydney and one game in Melbourne, against North Melbourne. The other games are against Essendon, Melbourne and the Bulldogs.
The broadcast fixture has not been fully finalised yet, but it looks like some Saturdays or Sundays might be completely without free-to-air coverage.
Also lots of scuttlebutt around at the moment about the AFL rights deal with Channel 7 and Foxtel. Apparently the AFL are seeking an extension with both broadcasters for at least two years, and I think Foxtel is looking for a three year extension.
Both broadcasters are looking for a discount in rights fees however, because of the drop in the number of games this year and shortened quarters, and because of the lack of atmosphere with no crowds.
However, apparently the AFL is emboldened enough to demand they don't provide too much of a discount. After seeing how much the NRL compromised on their fees, the AFL think they don't have to give so much away.
Clearly there is an interest in keeping your broadcast partner financial and not demand something that will drive them broke, but there is also obviously pressure on the AFL to maximise their rights and pay back some of the debt they have incurred in keeping the competition afloat.
Bye Foxtel. Again
About a week after season 3 of Westworld ended, I cancelled my subscription with Foxtel Go, as this was really the only reason I signed up in the first place. I again filled out all the surveys they have now when you cancel a subscription, telling them why I left (price is too high, Westworld had ended...)
I also had just paid for another month, so I got about 3-4 weeks to watch any other shows I wanted on there. As it turns out, there weren't that many. Most I had already plowed through during the Westworld season.
However, I gave the login credentials to mum, and she was able to watch a bunch
of shows I recommended to her, such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and 30 Rock. So it was good she got some value out of it.
I also didn't need it because at that time, the AFL season was still suspended due to the caronavirus, and I want to stick to the free-to-air AFL experience this year anyway.
Binge Launch
In other News-related news, Foxtel launched their drama-only streaming service Binge recently. At only $10 or so a month, it seems well priced, but it obviously doesn't offer any sport, and it doesn't offer live broadcasts either - not that I expect that's much of a draw-card anyway.
Live broadcasts remain on Foxtel Go, which I think is the main differentiation between the two services. Foxtel Go is still way more expensive than Binge however, and the live content does not seem to justify the difference in price, unless Binge content is really old.
For example, I don't watch Westworld live, preferring to sit down at the end of the night and watch and replay it really intently. I would watch it on Binge if it's a lot cheaper, but if Binge doesn't provide access to the episodes shortly after they air (i.e., if they don't have replay rights) then I would still go to Foxtel Go. Liveness is a factor, even with some forms of drama!
We'll wait and see what happens by the next time Westworld season 4 rolls around. It probably won't be for a couple of years, and a lot can change between now and then.
AFL Re-Booted
The AFL announced the fixture for rounds 2-5 recently. The AFL plan to relaunch the competition also involves relocating four interstate teams to the Gold Coast (ie., Adelaide, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle) because of border and self-isolation restrictions in those states.
This compromises some of the fixture, because I think Brisbane play four straight games in Queensland, while all four of those relocated teams play 'home' games at Metricon stadium.
Sydney meanwhile have a pretty good draw, with three games in Sydney and one game in Melbourne, against North Melbourne. The other games are against Essendon, Melbourne and the Bulldogs.
The broadcast fixture has not been fully finalised yet, but it looks like some Saturdays or Sundays might be completely without free-to-air coverage.
Also lots of scuttlebutt around at the moment about the AFL rights deal with Channel 7 and Foxtel. Apparently the AFL are seeking an extension with both broadcasters for at least two years, and I think Foxtel is looking for a three year extension.
Both broadcasters are looking for a discount in rights fees however, because of the drop in the number of games this year and shortened quarters, and because of the lack of atmosphere with no crowds.
However, apparently the AFL is emboldened enough to demand they don't provide too much of a discount. After seeing how much the NRL compromised on their fees, the AFL think they don't have to give so much away.
Clearly there is an interest in keeping your broadcast partner financial and not demand something that will drive them broke, but there is also obviously pressure on the AFL to maximise their rights and pay back some of the debt they have incurred in keeping the competition afloat.
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