Nine bid may bring extra $15m
By Damien Barrett
December 15, 2005
CHANNEL 9's bid to continue broadcasting AFL matches could be as much as $15 million a year higher than its rivals.
While Nine, in partnership with Foxtel and News Limited, is yet to officially submit an offer for the football rights beyond 2006, it is understood its bid will be significantly nearer the $140 million per annum asking price set by the AFL.
An alliance of Channels 7 and 10, which owns the crucial rights to bid last, has told the AFL it is prepared to spend up to $120 million a year for all eight weekly matches.
The AFL is hopeful of finalising the post-2006 TV deals next week.
Its greatest challenge is weighing the financially lucrative Nine bid against the ability of the rival consortium to televise the game at more suitable times into New South Wales and Queensland, and other key regional areas.
The Nine-Foxtel alliance is pushing for four matches on both free-to-air and pay-TV each week.
Its proposal seems dependent on the AFL agreeing to Friday night matches being broadcast in NSW and Queensland on Foxtel, as Nine has commitments to National Rugby League double-headers in the northern states on those nights.
The preference for Seven and Ten is to share five free-to-air matches a week, leaving three for pay-TV.
However, Seven and Ten have told the AFL they will broadcast all eight games if necessary.
In its first rights document sent to Channels 7 and 10 in October, the AFL requested $140 million - cash - per year for the next rights period.
The duration of the next deal is dependent on the successful bidder. Seven and Ten are pushing for a six-year commitment, in order to evenly split finals, while Nine and Foxtel are understood to be satisfied with five.
I must say that i hope that Nine wins the battle for the rights, as i seriously dislike Channel 7. I really like the way that Nine covers the footy (bar Eddie) and is definately better than having Sandy Roberts and Bruce back, with probably Joanna Griggs hosting (like everything else). Channel 10's coverage is not too bad, but seeing they sided with 7, ill still be hoping for 9 to win it.