Australian Sportslovers : Call to Arms!

**kingwilly** · 06-05-11, 09:23

Broadcast news: The AFL’s fantastic $1.25 billion domestic broadcast rights deal for 2012-2017 has received plenty of publicity. Interesting to see that part of the income will go to "building the code internationally, particularly in the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions."

What isn’t clear is the future of AFL telecasts to Asia on Australia Network.

The ABC’s current management rights expire at the end of August and the winner of the next 10 year tender, is yet to be announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. According to AusNet’s CEO, Bruce Dover, “DFAT has indicated in the associated tender documents that in any case in the future, sports programming on the channel should be limited, as ‘much of the Sports [football] historically shown appeal more to the expatriate community rather than the target audience.’

Consequently, sports programming - be it NRL, rugby or AFL - will be significantly restricted on the channel after August 2011.”

Objections should be emailed to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard at http://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm; the Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, at [email protected]; and probably the Australian Embassy Jakarta at [email protected].

**Anglian** · 06-05-11, 09:34

Can Pome bastards complain as I enjoy watching AFL, to it would be a sad day if it wasnt on the box here, anyway I we email all 3 addresses, expressing my dismay at the possible loss of AFL on TV here

**kingwilly** · 06-05-11, 10:34

Originally Posted by Anglian

Can Pome bastards complain as I enjoy watching AFL, to it would be a sad day if it wasnt on the box here, anyway I we email all 3 addresses, expressing my dismay at the possible loss of AFL on TV here

It's pommie,

And yes you can, in fact, please do, the more the merrier.

**Anglian** · 06-05-11, 11:08

I know and dont care, I do it to annoy Australians, anyway done that, hope it gets their attention

**Tim M** · 06-05-11, 11:27

I made the effort.

"I am an Australian citizen living abroad in Indonesia, where I have worked as an expatriate for the last 4 years.
Recently it has been brought to my attention that the tendering of the management rights of the ABC may impact on the broadcasting of Australian sports (specifically the AFL) on the Australia Network (cable TV).
According to AusNet’s CEO, Bruce Dover, “DFAT has indicated in the associated tender documents that in any case in the future, sports programming on the channel should be limited, as ‘much of the Sports [football] historically shown appeal more to the expatriate community rather than the target audience.’
I object strongly to any reduction/limitation of the sport content of this channel, especially the AFL."