AFL advised to not comply with in NRL’s steps amidst broadcaster’s ‘prime-time show’ grand last appeal

The AFL and Channel Seven are expecting several of the highest possible grand last rankings in the organization’s background yet the free-to-air broadcaster thinks it can have climaxed if the very first bounce was transferred to the evening. Swans grand finals have actually routinely resulted in considerable bumps in viewership, with the enhancement of the non-AFL heartland NSW market assisting strengthen the rankings.

A massive 4.12 million individuals enjoying their 2016 grand last loss to theWestern Bulldogs While the Lions including in the large dancing will certainly have a comparable yet not as significant effect, with 3.4 million Australians adjusting in for their slim grand last loss to Collingwood one year back. But in spite of the large viewership forecasts for 2024, Seven West Media’s supervisor of sporting activity Chris Jones has actually asked for the AFL to comply with the NRL‘s lead and relocate the grand last to an evening timeslot.

” I believe it’s remarkable (to have a Sydney-Brisbane grand last) due to the fact that we have actually obtained 2 Victorian groups stood for in South Melbourne and Fitzroy, and we have actually obtained Sydney and Brisbane stood for, so there’s a something in it for everybody,” Jones informed the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, historically, will watch the grand final, regardless of who’s playing. NSW and Queensland are very much our growth markets, and we’ve seen fantastic results there this year. “Imagine how good it would be if it was in prime time, which clearly is the preference?”

“From a free-to-air perspective, a prime-time grand final would allow more Australians to see the grand final than a twilight grand final (but) a twilight grand final would allow more Australians to watch the grand final than a daytime grand final.”

The AFL’s traditional grand final start time of 2.30pm (AEST), has been under threat in recent years, with the broadcaster urging the league to push it back from the Saturday afternoon timeslot to twilight or ideally nighttime. The NRL grand final, by contrast, is played on a Sunday night -which is typically seen as the ‘prime time’ television spot. Both AFL semi and preliminary finals are scheduled in prime time slots, with the Lions’ preliminary final win over Geelong beginning at 5.15pm (AEST) on Saturday – which is viewed by many as the ideal time for a grand final to begin.

The preliminary final reached 3.22 million people nationally, according to Seven, with a national TV audience of 1.32 million. While Friday night’s Sydney-Port Adelaide semi racked up 3.02 million, including a national audience of 1.18 million. Seven have also stated that all eight finals games this year have rated No.1 in their time slots for people, 25 to 54, and 16 to 39.

AFL Fans Association demand 2.30pm time slot is preserved

However, AFL fans overwhelmingly continue to oppose the change. An incredible 83 per cent of supporters are against a move to the evening or night, according to the AFL Fans Association.

And following the confirmation of a 2.30pm first bounce for the 2024 AFL grand final, president of the AFL Fans Association, Ron Issko, thanked the league for listening to fans and stated that the 2.30pm time slot should be locked in for at least the next five years as it is what the fans want.

“For years, surveys and polls have consistently indicated that over 75 per cent of fans prefer a daytime game,” Issko said. “When this many fans agree, it’s time to recognise that’s what fans want for the foreseeable future,” Ron specified.

“We value the AFL for recognizing the large bulk and maintaining the Grand Final in its precious mid-day port. Perhaps we can secure the day Grand Final for the following 5 years, so we aren’t left waiting up until August to discover.”

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“The exhilaration and ambience at the arena and home lunch break Barbeques are excitedly expected every year. The day is completely separated in between pre-game celebrations, the suit itself, and sufficient time later on to commemorate with close friends, household, and children. Thank you, Andrew (AFL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Andrew Newbold), for paying attention to the followers, and allow’s currently secure the daytime Grand Final up until 2030 prior to we question it once again.” Following the AFL’s announcement that the first bounce would be at 2.30pm, fans took to X to urge the league to not give in to pressure to change the time in the years to come.