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No HD for AFL Grand Final

Update: TEN advises it can't air the AFL Grand Final on ONE due to a scheduling clash with the Moto GP.

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AFL fans may be in for a rude shock with confirmation that this year’s Grand Final will not be screened in High Definition.

A TEN spokesperson has confirmed to TV Tonight the network will only screen the live game on its primary channel.

In glorious Standard Definition of course.

While ONE is an HD channel, it won’t be used for the match on Saturday October 1st.

Last year Seven broadcast the game on both Seven and 7mate, as part of a launch for their new HD channel. It was lucky enough to land a tied match and get the bumper audience back a week later. It even broadcast the game in 3D for those with 3D televisions.

After 10 years TEN is walking away from its AFL deal at the end of the season, which may have influenced its decision not to reward fans with the HD broadcast.

TV Tonight readers have consistently urged networks to play sports live and in HD.

10.00am: Grand Final Day at the MCG
2.30pm: AFL Grand Final Day – pre-match entertainment
2.30pm: AFL Grand Final (teams TBC)
5.30pm: AFL Grand Final Presentations

UPDATE: TEN responds:

The inference that Network Ten is “walking away” from its AFL deal is incorrect. Network Ten has fulfilled all broadcast obligations of the AFL over the last ten years and has implemented a number of inaugural groundbreaking production values, including goal post cameras, coaches box cameras and changing room cameras. It is also incorrect to suggest that the reason we are not broadcasting the AFL Grand Final in HD is in some way connected to our decision not to pursue AFL broadcast rights in 2012 and beyond

The AFL Grand Final is on the Government’s anti-syphoning list and therefore must air on the primary channel (TEN) first. While we have previously simulcast the AFL Grand Final on both TEN and ONE, this year, due to the timing of the Grand Final, we find ourselves with a schedule conflict. Network Ten is contractually required to broadcast live the qualifying round of the Moto GP (Japan) on ONE on Saturday, October 1 at 2.55pm. Our decision to air the AFL on TEN and the Moto GP on ONE fulfils our obligations to both sporting codes. On 1 October, Network Ten will provide sport fans with two viewing alternatives – the 2011 AFL Grand Final and Moto GP (Japan).

TEN is committed to delivering the highest quality production on the day. On air from 10am, the 2011 AFL Grand Final coverage will include all of TEN’s commentary team and will boast more cameras than ever before and an outside studio.

70 Responses

  1. can someone please tell me what all the fuss is about over HD. i recently got foxtel and i was thing no way am i going to pay extra for the same channels/shows, just for higher definition. i mean how much of a difference can it actually be, how much does it improve viewing pleasure?

    i watch plenty of sport on the regular foxsports and i am tremendously impressed by the quality, why would i want more? i feel like HD is so overrated!

  2. Honestly, I’m not surprised, FTA hasn’t taken HD seriously for a while now as they can see the added profit from commercials on the multi channels. Thankfully Foxtel have the rights to show all games Live next year and they will give the sport the quality it deserves.

  3. “sweatheart they didnt lose the afl…….they didn’t want it, Big difference!” They didn’t want it? No, they couldn’t afford it. Big difference you ignorant.

  4. Very Very Disappointing. TEN…You have the rights to AFL till the end of the 2011 Grand Final. Sure you have done an excellent job in supporting the game in the northern states during your ten years…..but show some commitment to the game and your viewers until the end of your contact. This is the biggest game of the year. Absolutely no excuses for this. Watch for the other cost cutting in this years broadcast with minimal cameras I bet. TEN…with the state your ratings are in at the moment, you need to do the right thing by your loyal viewers, and go out in style…not like this!!!
    I am a long long long time loyal TEN viewer (I hate the other channels) But I am fastly loosing my support for your network with stupid moves like this. As I have said – Be proud of your HD heritage this decade – and go out in style, cause lets face it – this is likely to be your last major Australian Sports Broadcast….probably ever!

  5. They wont play the NRL GF on GEM anyway , they never did last year.If it costs the networks $1 more to show sport in HD they never will .But of course there happy to get the 50% rebate on there licensing fees from the Government.

  6. @bettestreep2008

    How does subscribing to Foxtel allow you to see it in ‘glorious HD’? Fox haven’t being showing replays of Ten games in HD for about 3 months, and the finals replays aren’t HD

  8. Why did I bother buying a HD TV?!!!.
    Will this ever be solved?.
    Australia used to have some of the best free-to-air television in the world.
    Thanks, Ten, serioulsy!.

  9. “Since TEN lost the footy they have benn acting like absolute babies”………. sweatheart they didnt lose the afl…….they didn’t want it, Big difference!

  10. There’s no truth to the rumours that Ten will be showing an episode of the Renovators in the middle of the AFL Grand Final.

    However they will be showing The Renovators over on it’s ONE HD show during the Grand final telecast.

    Along with their favourite show – The Bolt Report – of course.

  11. Another reason to subscribe to Foxtel and watch the GF on glorious HD.

    What a surprise – Ten’s new boss also has an interest in his daddy’s Foxtel.

    Shame that government media enquiry isn’t going to tackle conflict of interest in television!

  14. ..I would also assume that NRL grand final day will also be in Glorious <— (sarcasm) SD!

    If the AFL/NRL Grand finals we're Live on Pay TV, I'll guarantee they would be in HD!
    The FTA networks need to get a Clue before they lose all sport!

  17. Since TEN lost the footy they have benn acting like absolute babies.

    Luckily after the Grand Final I’ll never have to watch any of their substandard channels.

  18. Why do people equate Ten’s failures with Lachlan…? Ch10 do perfectly well in failing all on their own. 😛

    And people think that the V8s should be taken off of 7 and given to 10/One… yeah, delusional if they think it would be better. Er, would be worse off, sorry. 😉

    eg: the above.

    As to Foxtel; I would think it would be available in HD when they end up showing it. 🙂

  21. Ah, the Murdoch strikes back. I will not reveal my true feelings about him on this page for fear it will be removed. Needless to say I think less and less of the Network as the days go by.

  22. Well ten don’t really give a sh*t as they no longer have afl tv rights. Why don’t they go the whole hog and show it in black & white on a ten hour delay. I mean if you are gonna p*ss people off…. do it properly

  23. The second grand final last year was not in JD and there was good reason for that with the lack of availability of HD gear at the last minute. But for Ten not to do this years’ in HD is inexcusable. This is the very network that used to promote AFL in HD and 5.1 surround sound back in 2008. Sure they don’t have the rights for next 5 years but will anyone want them to ever have the rights again if they can’t do HD for the most watched TV event of the year of 2011?

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