Email sent to Channel 7 Perth

[Darren]

I think it is a great outcome - whether it translates into more viewers for 7 or not is a matter for the ratings boxes. It is now watchable by the average person. When being televised around midnight, it was not. Let's hope the 'average person' tunes in!

It's up against Maverick (not a bad flick) and Richmond -v- Lions AFL on the other commercial stations...

[Unnamed Sauces]

You will NEVER get Rugby LIVE in Perth no matter what you do.

In fact, in the Eastern States they dont actually get it LIVE.

Channel 7 now advertises the Rugby as "LIVE Kick OFF".

The kick off is live and then they delay the game as they put the ads in between.

Consequently last week the game was still playing on Channel 7 at least 8 minutes after the game finished on Fox.

[Pistol]

I think this might be Ray's final word on the subject:

Hi again Peter

Can't do as you have suggested as we have a strong existing audience for Great Outdoors and also the AFL telecast will be on Ten at that time (WCE v St Kilda) so Rugby wouldn't stand a chance against it. Also, starting Princess Diaries at 9.30 or later would not appeal at all to the target audience.

Regards

Ray Wardrop


I still don't believe they are giving it the priority it deserves, Princess Diaries 2 in my book does not and should not take precedence over Bledisoe game 1 and if you want to fight back some of those numbers from the AFL that you lost to another station why wouldn't you show another high profile sport, but I guess I am biased although I expect most on this forum would have a similar opinion.

I will watch the game again at 9:55pm after I watch it live as a matter of principal.

However I question how the ratings information is gathered. I have never seen or known anyone with one of those little black boxes that I have heard talk off. How can channel 7 be sure that they are getting an accurate snap shot of the rugby viewing demographic?

I guess in the end we have to take what we can get and like Coach said at least it is now a viable option for people to watch at some point in the night. Like a friend said to me yesterday "baby steps".

I disagree with Unnamed Sauces to the extent that I think if enough people get up and make some noise to people in power about what they want and not sit back and complain to no one, change will always happen.

Afterall this weeks change obviously came about by a number of people voicing their opinions to Channel 7 and lets face it - they are in a popularity contest and if enough people stand up and say they are switching off, they have no choice but to do something about it.

Well done to the members of the TWF and well done to the rugby fans of Perth - keep fighting for what you believe in.

[travelling_gerry]

I think what unnamed sauces was trying to say is that even when the game is LIVE Channel 7 do dodgy practices and delay throughout the game to slot ads in.

[eleypinkbit]

Think I'd prefer them running it "live" than what they do for the American Football - actually have stoppages during the game so the tv stations can go to an ad break!

[brokendown gunfighter]

thats what happens with G.A.Y.F.L

[Flamethrower]

AFL do that as well.

The umpire watches a light on the stand so he can bounce the ball to restart after a goal.

[Moses]

I will watch the game again at 9:55pm after I watch it live as a matter of principal.

You're a sucker for punishment - you really want to see the Gordon Bray / Dan Crowley / ads inserted instead of repacked scrums version after having watched it live and UNCUT on Fox? Personally I'd tape the Foxtel version or wait for the Foxtel replay.

[laura]

Its out of principal, so that Channel7 might actually realise that yes we will watch if you telecast and the earlier they telecast the better chance of a increased ratings.

[blueandblack]

thats what happens with G.A.Y.F.L

and the NBL (when they were on TV) had TV timeouts around mid-quarter.

[Moses]

Its out of principal, so that Channel7 might actually realise that yes we will watch if you telecast and the earlier they telecast the better chance of a increased ratings.

but they won't actually know you are watching, unless you're one of the very small number who have a Nielsen TV meter installed in your house.

[laura]

I guess we will just get the feeling that we are loyal supporters and might even write a letter commenting on the new marginally improved viewing time.

[Moses]

I wouldn't go congratulating them for showing it only 4 hours late, pretty p'iss poor compromise in my book.

While we have laws that protect the FTA stations right to not show sport, this is what will continue to happen.

[force addict]

its the best we can get so i think we should be happy, see what's on telly same night as the next game and work from there

[NeoGirl]

Just got this

Thanks for your email.

Unfortunately as the broadcast legislation currently stands, by law we are not permitted to show the Rugby tests, AFL or any other sport that is on the anti-siphoning list on the HD channel, prior to it being telecast on the main channel. If we were allowed to multi-channel for such events, then we would.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

Program Department
Channel Seven Perth