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Nine / FOX Sports to broadcast Socceroos qualifiers

Nine & FOX Sports to screen the eight remaining Socceroos Qualifiers in the quest for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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The Nine Network and FOX Sports have secured rights to the remaining eight Socceroos 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Both networks will screen a live Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia match on Friday (October 7) followed by Socceroos vs Japan next Tuesday (October 11).

Further qualifiers will take place staged across November, 2016, to September, 2017.

Nine Network Director of Sport, Tom Malone said: “Wide World of Sports is thrilled to be broadcasting these World Cup qualifiers as the Socceroos once again prepare to take on the world at the 2018 World Cup. While Australia is confident, qualification is by no means guaranteed. These matches will provide great insight into the Socceroos chances on the world stage.”

FOX Sports Head of Live Sport and News, Steve Crawley, said: “The Socceroos are off to a flyer in their World Cup qualifying campaign, and fans will be able to continue to watch all the action live and ad break free during play on FOX Sports with the country’s best commentary team guiding them through every match. It’s a great outcome for the fans, and I’m sure the whole country will get right behind our men in gold.”

SBS holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the 2018 and the 2022 FIFA World Cups, currently set for Russia and Qatar respectively.

Remaining Socceroos’ World Cup Qualifiers:
7 October 2016: Saudi Arabia v Socceroos, (Live from 4.00am on FOX Sports 505 and 4.30am on 9GO!)
Tue 11 Oct: Socceroos v Japan (Live from 7.00pm on FOX Sports 505 and 7:30pm on 9GO!)
15 November, 2016: Thailand v Australia
28 March, 2017: Australia v URE
8 June, 2017: Australia v Saudi Arabia
31 August, 2017: Japan v Australia
5 September, 2017: Australia v Thailand

13 Responses

  1. David
    I believe that SBS on-sold the majority of the FIFA World Cup matches to Optus when the EPL deal was made. SBS retained 25 of the 64 matches from memory.

  2. Yes, shame only SD format for FTA viewers but suggest it’s still a win for soccer fans without access to pay TV (i.e. most), and good news that this string of games looks like it’s being simulcast on both channels (?) and not on an hour-delay which I believe some of the qualifiers have been for non-Foxtel viewers.
    Nine’s interest possibly also indicates the network’s strong interest in gaining a slice of the FTA portion of the next A-League rights package, currently held by SBS but which expires after the 2016-17 season starting tomorrow.

  3. So the different start times of coverage just reflects the different start times for pregame? The article says its both live on foxtel and nine but then you see different start times and it makes you wonder if you missed something?

      1. Dear Observer,
        I’m assuming you are observant enough to know that watching the Socceroos live in HD is $60 per month…… Not everyone can or wants to outlay that coin.

          1. Thanks Rupert. I think it’s a terrible investment, as do a majority of Australians. How observant of me….

          2. An investment is an asset or item that is purchased with the hope that it will generate income or will appreciate in the future. Hardly applies to pay-TV. Can think of far better ways I could spend $720/year.

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