Network TEN and Foxtel extend MotoGP TV deal

It has been announced that TEN and Fox Sports will continue broadcasting MotoGP till the end of 2016 on a two year deal with promoters Dorna Sports.

The agreement will see the premier class still remain on FTA in Australia on TEN.

Network TEN will televise all races live on One / Ten and tenplay.

Ten and Fox will produce additional feature coverage at the Australian Grand Prix over the next two years.

“We’re delighted that Australian audiences will be able to enjoy more extensive coverage of MotoGP over the next three years with Ten and Fox, via pay and free-to-air TV and online said Manel Arroyo, Dorna Managing Director

“Australia has a thriving motorcycle community with very loyal MotoGP fans and we always enjoy our visit to Phillip Island, one of the most beautiful tracks on the calendar.“There will be more coverage of the action on track for our fans as we have two broadcast partners now who are supporting MotoGP and they will work with us to continue to grow our sport in Australia.”

Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, commented: “We are delighted to extend our broadcast deal with Dorna Sports to ensure that Australian motorsport fans can watch all MotoGP races live, free and in High Definition. This deal further demonstrates Network Ten’s commitment to premium motorsport.”

FOX SPORTS CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “Fans have already had a taste of our MotoGP coverage with the first two rounds complete for the 2014 season, but this is just the beginning of what will be a transformational three-year period for the sport on FOX SPORTS. Not only will fans see every race from every Grands Prix including all championship races, support categories, practice, and qualifying events LIVE with no interruptions during the action, we will fire up the red button and second-screen features to deliver an experience like no other.”

Ten set to be a player in AFL broadcast rights (The Border Mail)

Hamish McLennan has confirmed the former AFL broadcaster shapes as a player in the next rights deal. Ten shared free-to-air rights with Nine and Foxtel between 2002 and 2006 and with Seven between 2007 and 2011, but opted to pull out of the latest deal, with Ten interested more in securing the NRL rights.

Ten’s interest in the next round of AFL rights could help bump up the price.

"Yes, we’re keen. All depends on what is on offer," McLennan said.

Ten televised two Saturday matches through the home-and-away season and had been involved in finals and grand final. Asked what slots Ten would be interested in, McLennan said: "Depends on price etc, but maybe Saturday again and what is on offer."

McLennan understands the importance of live sport to his hopes of resurrecting Ten’s stocks, with cricket’s Twenty20 Big Bash League and the Sochi Winter Olympics providing strong ratings, and a temporary lift in share price. Ten is aware it needs a major winter sport to compete with Seven and Nine, the latter with the rights to the NRL.

The current five-year, $1.25 billion deal with Channel Seven, Foxtel and Telstra expires after the 2016 season. Discussions on a new deal are expected to intensify later this year. AFL general manager of broadcasting Simon Lethlean has said the league’s preference would be to secure a deal by late next year.

Leading media analyst Roger Colman, an experienced research analyst with CCZ Stratton Equities, has not ruled out a new broadcasting deal reaching $2 billion but said it was more likely to fall short.

"That is why night grand finals and these big games have to be big, because we have to have something to go to the TV rights holders and say, 'This is why you have to pay $140 million next year, not $125 million'.

"And, if you have a look at last year, the last one, I reckon we left probably $20 million on the table. So, we don’t want to be doing that a second time."

Williams’ recent addition to the AFL commission has been viewed as the AFL improving its knowledge of the media landscape.

Former Nine boss Jeff Browne, a long time friend and associate of McGuire’s, has long been mentioned also as a possible commissioner.

"I was on the last selection panel and Jeff’s name was mentioned there. It wasn’t a situation that he was able to put his name in the frame for because of his business and personal situation at the time," McGuire said.

"But Jeff is a bloke who has tremendous credentials to fill the job. Why wouldn’t you get someone who has been involved in every major television decision for rights, probably going back to the mid ’80s. He wrote the AFL rules, he knew what the AFL rules were about."

Ten lures Matt white from Seven as a Motorsport Presenter (Mumbrella)

Network Ten has lured one of Australia’s up and coming news and sports presenters Matt White back from rival Seven for an unspecified role to start in early July.

The third free-to-air network has brought back White, who spent eleven years with them before moving to Seven for the last decade, where he has presented the Olympic Games, Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup.

It is likely White will front the coverage of the V8 Supercars franchise which Ten has reclaimed the rights for from next year from Seven. He has previously presented the racing franchise on Ten and Seven.

However, he could also be in line for another role with the network, as it looks to make its struggling morning breakfast show Wake Up more news-oriented. His arrival comes just two months after Seven’s former news director Peter Meakin joined Ten to overhaul its news programming.

Ten CEO Hamish McLennan said: “Matt is one of the great all-rounders in Australian television. He is polished, classy, articulate and the ultimate professional in a wide range of roles – from news and public affairs to sport and special events. I am delighted that he has decided to join us.

“Matt will add his special touch to our coverage of the V8 Supercars and motor sport in general. We are also developing another show to take advantage of his considerable talents and will announce the details closer to his start date.”

In an email to staff today Seven’s netwrk director of news Rob Raschke paid tribute to White’s time at the network, saying: ”

During this time Matt has distinguished himself as a trusted journalist, presenter and sports commentator for his expert coverage of the biggest news stories and sporting events both at home and abroad.

“His contribution to the Seven Network’s coverage of Olympic Games, V8 Supercars, The Australian Open and Melbourne Cup has been outstanding.

“I am sure you will all join with me in thanking Matt for his professionalism and dedication over the years, and wishing him and his family the very best for the future.”

Ten is expected to announce its commentary team for the V8s later in the year.

Glasgow 2014: 100 Days To Go (Media Spy)

With just 100 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Network Ten is proud to announce it will give viewers extensive coverage of every day of the competition, 24 hours a day across TEN and ONE. More than 260 hours of action, excitement and drama from the Glasgow Games will go to air, presented by a stellar team of hosts and commentators.

As the only television broadcaster for the XX Commonwealth Games in Australia, Network Ten will deliver first-class coverage from Glasgow live into lounge rooms around the country from July 24, 2014. In addition to 24-hour coverage on TEN and ONE each day, eight dedicated digital channels will also be available on www.tenplay.com.au, enabling viewers to watch their favourite events and athletes from anywhere, at any time.

Hosted from Glasgow by TEN’s Mel McLaughlin and Brad McEwan, the expert commentary team features an all-star line-up of former Olympians including Nicole Livingstone, Rob DeCastella, David Culbert, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and more. Two of Australia’s most decorated netballers – Liz Ellis and Sharelle McMahon – will bring fans all the action from the SECC Precinct while former Wallaby and TEN Eyewitness News Presenter, Matt Burke, will be joined by TEN’s Gordon Bray for the Rugby Sevens from Ibrox Stadium. The expert commentary team also features a host of experienced specialists including TEN’s Greg Rust, Mark Howard and Lachy Reid, and experienced sports broadcasters Peter Donegan and Ian Cohen, with more to be announced soon.

Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, said: “The Glasgow Games are on track to be one of the most memorable Commonwealth Games ever and Network Ten is delighted to bring all the action to Australians with some of the country’s most successful athletes.

“The combination of TEN, ONE and tenplay, as well as our experienced presenters and commentators, will ensure that Network Ten’s coverage of this international sporting event is comprehensive, compelling and engaging.”

Network TEN looks at securing Super Rugby (The Roar)

 Network Ten have their sights set on acquiring the rights to broadcast Super Rugby – a move that would see them put the sport back on free-to-air television.

In a bid to boost ratings, Ten have expressed an interest in expanding their rugby coverage. Currently the network has the rights to some international matches, but the addition of Super Rugby would be a big step forward.

The interest in a flagship winter sport has been spurred by the ratings success Ten experienced with the Big Bash League over the summer, during which matches averaged 638,000 viewers.

The network will be hoping to compete with the likes of Seven (AFL) and Nine (NRL), who currently dominate the winter sports market.

Ten executive chairman Hamish McLennan has stated, “Rugby needs to broaden and get into the mainstream to build its fan base.”

Super Rugby fans would agree that free-to-air coverage would be a big boost for the profile of the competition, which struggles to find the attention rival codes receive.

The accessibility of Super Rugby has been a hotly debated topic for some time, with many of the view that the competition must make the move to free-to-air.

A move to Network Ten would see Super Rugby broadcast on free-to-air in Australia for the first time since it was created in 1996.

Whisper: Ten Network

On 2UE this morning, they said that there will be big changes in media regulations, in particular with one FTA network as it has been the most talked about network in rival channel (Seven West Media).

 It has been said that Foxtel will take over the Ten Network, and Ten will be relaunched as FOX News, similar to the channel in the US. 

This would allow Foxtel to have stronger packaging around news and sport. Hamish McLennan (Chief Executive of TEN) will replace Julian Clarke of News Corp.

They recently signed a deal to broadcast the KFC T20 BBL and V8s effectively from 2014 and 2015 till 2018 and 2020 respectively. 

But it remains to be seen as to what will be in the schedule if it does become a reality and what happens to ONE, ELEVEN, TVSN and SpreeTV.