DAY GRAND FINALS IN THE TWILIGHT OF THEIR YEARS
BY STEPHEN BAKER
A twilight Grand Final could be a reality as early as next season, according to AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou.
Mr Demetriou, in a report in today’s Herald-Sun newspaper, expects the Seven and Ten networks to push hard for a night grand final before their current broadcasting agreement expires at the end of 2010.
“I know that between now and the end of the agreement, we will be asked about (a twilight Grand Final), again,” said Demetriou.
While wary of the widespread public support for the Grand Final to remain a daytime event, Mr Demetriou foreshadowed the inevitability of a twilight start given the amount of money television pumps into the game.
“Our view on the twilight Grand Final is (it’s), something that we wouldn’t do this year,” he said.
“Our view hasn’t changed but you have to anticipate what is coming up. The broadcasters are paying a very substantial amount of money for the rights and they have been very good.”
It is anticipated that the match would begin at five o’clock to appease broadcasters in their hunt for bigger ratings numbers, as viewer numbers would be included in the industry’s coveted prime-time audience figures.
Ten Network sports chief, David White, made clear his continued support for a night Grand Final.
“My interest is well documented,” said White.
“I’m very keen on a twilight Grand Final. I’ve got little doubt at some point in the future there will be a twilight Grand Final. Not sure how far into the future,” he said.
Despite the claim from broadcasters that a night or twilight Grand Final would increase audience numbers, a day Grand Final consistently remains among the most watched events on Australia’s television calendar.
The 2007 Grand Final between Geelong and Port Adelaide drew an audience of 2.57 million viewers, while the 2006 match drew an audience of 3.15 million and the 2005 Grand Final, a viewing audience of 3.39 million people.
FOOTYHEADS: Do YOU want a night or twilight Grand Final, or should the biggest match on the AFL calendar honour tradition and stay as a day time fixture?
