Veteran broadcaster George Donikian has weighed in on the A-League TV broadcast debate, saying the game’s head honchos need to be “bold” as they aim to secure the next deal which could make or break the game.
The current four-year $160 million deal expires in 2017, and is currently a joint venture between Fox Sports (who have exclusive rights to broadcast every A-League and Socceroos match live) and SBS on free-to-air (who broadcast Friday night matches on SBS 2). With SBS reportedly looking to offload football from their telecast, another commercial player will be in the pipeline.
Donikian says the next decision hinges on the key players at hand understand the changing market we’re in, and having the courage to embrace flexibility.
“Television as we know it is changing before our very eyes and so too will the demand,” he said.
“It’s up to those adventurous and brave broadcasters [and administrators] who understand that the world is changing around them. Are they flexible enough to change with it?”
“SBS has dropped the ball, which is shocking.”
“Optus has come on board [with EPL] and they’re going to drive the sport to your second, third and fourth screens. Understand that millennials…just don’t care about television.”
Donikian also flagged the idea of a cross-broadcast venture, with a commercial broadcaster possibly partnering with pay TV to get a deal done.
“FoxSports won’t just give it [A-League] up,” he said.
“Maybe these flexible television deals are on the money. If that’s the case, it’s exciting.”
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