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Axed: Before the Game

Exclusive: After 11 collective seasons Roving-produced AFL show has been axed by TEN.

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BeforeTheGameEXCLUSIVE: Long running AFL football show Before the Game has been axed by TEN.

A TEN spokesperson confirmed to TV Tonight, “Before The Game will not be returning in 2014.

“Thank you to Roving Enterprises and the cast of After The Game and then Before The Game, who did a great job over the past 11 years.”

Dave Hughes recently announced his departure as a permanent host of The Project, but the latest move now sheds more light on his commitments with TEN.

Before the Game also Andrew Maher, Mick Molloy, Ryan Fitzgerald, Anthony Lehmann and Neroli Meadows.

But the show is yet hoping for another lease of life. Kevin Whyte from Roving Enterprises told TV Tonight, “Before The Game is an iconic Melbourne show with an amazing cast and crew and we thank Ten for 11 amazing years.

“We are exploring other options for the show in 2014.”

The panel show began on TEN in a late night slot in 2003 as After the Game before moving to an earlier timeslot as Before the Game.

29 Responses

  2. This is the best Footy show by a country mile. I hope 7 grabs it.

    What a shame…

    Ch 10 are an absolute basket case at the moment. They make Ch 9 look professional…

  5. Such a shame but the writing has been on the wall since TEN lost the AFL rights. Too hard/costly to produce a live hour on a Saturday night (the lowest rating day of the week) into one of the 5 ratings areas.
    With that said, I was a big fan of Before the Game. Neroli was a great addition to the show in 2013. Much funnier, more informative show than The Footy Show could possibly wish to be (this coming from a Footy Show watcher).
    I’d sooner see Before the Game put to rest instead of becoming the latest botch-job for Seven. Or Nine.

  6. this sucks. I bet you any money, Channel 7 try n pick this show up.

    I would rather watch Before The Game, than the rubbish of rabble that is called the Footy Show on 9, or any garbage dished up by 7.

  8. Shame to see BTG being axed.
    It is a family favourite of ours, and a show, that the whole family (mum dad & 3 adolescents) would watch together. (very rare!).
    Channel 7 should seriously consider picking this up, with the Channel 7 aura and actually having the AFL, it should rate much better, than on 10.
    Surely 7 needs a successful supplementary AFL show, after previous flops “Live & Kicking” and “The Bounce”
    Sam Lane doesn;t gel on the current Channel 7 pre-game show. Where as she was the serious panel member on BTG, she has ended up just being “the girlie” on Channel 7’s pre-game show, where she is surrounded by Genuine legends of the game.
    Not sure who the “comedic relief” on Channel 7’s pre-game, but don’t find them funny.
    The BTG crew are an intrinsic part of Melbourne’s culture.
    Just one more tip. No Strauchnie please, I think we’re done with that gag!
    🙂

  9. wow. I didn’t expect them to axe this show. I love watching this show late on a Saturday night (i’m from Sydney where it usually airs after the footy). It has a good humour on it. A shame it is now gone.

  11. Hmmm…Is this the beginning of the end for Ten/Roving Enterprises shows? None of them are world beaters & with Peter Meakin coming on board at Ten News will there be changes to The Project or will Ten go inhouse to produce it’s own current affairs show?

  12. @CraigW – I will love to see Ten win back the V8s and frankly I see that 7 don’t want them anymore as I see this as Ten’s real strongest probability more than last years hope of Ten securing V8s

  15. @William – Would love Ten to get back the V8s.

    Wouldn’t it be full circle for Sam Lane? I think if 7 picked this up, she’d end up back there. She is very poorly treated on Sat Night Footy.

    @ShelltvFan – I enjoyed TNL as well, but it wouldn’t be the same if it returned now. Sportsfan Clubhouse is a quasi-replacement on 7Mate.

  17. I think its disappointing that ten has done this, I do hope that Before The Game is picked up by Seven.

    However, I doubt that it would replace the pre-show on Saturdays, I think it would go head to head with the Footy Show on Thursdays.

  18. @William, agreed this was much better than channel 7s AFL preshow on Saturday nights.

    Channel seven would be wise to pick this up because its much better than any of their football show offerings.

    Channel 10 made a huge mistake giving up Saturday AFL rights. Their combination of two games, before the game and the fifth qtr was great and missed. Channel 7s Saturdays aren’t as good. ABC do a better job of covering VFL then 7 do of the AFL.

  20. Have I got my dates mixed up as this was a better offering than Seven’s AFL Pre Show. It will be better if Ten brings back RPM next year in a hope to win the V8s.
    @CraigW – I think Dave and Andrew are all contracted to Ten as Dave has to still do Comedy on a Ten while Andrew is a Golf commentator

  21. @Bogues Yes The Game Plan is also not returning Andrew Moore announced it on the last show. As I female who has a passing interest (not die hard) in football I enjoyed it as it was both entertaining and informative. I also enjoyed the Thursday Night live show they used have on ONE also.

    For sports fans who don’t have pay tv there isn’t a lot of sports entertainment style shows out there. One of the other networks should pick these up.

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