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.
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