NewsMan
13-02-2004, 07:16 AM
The digital age of television is coming to sport, but it's yet to be seen
how the armchair sports fan will react.
Foxtel's launch of its digital service last month included plans to offer
additional services for viewers. At the core of that new service is
SportsActive, which promises greater control for the viewer.
As with the pricing of new Foxtel services, the full details of SportsActive
have yet to be spelled out.
But initially it will enable viewers to watch an AFL or NRL game and have
some say on the camera angle, or what commentary and sound effects they
listen to. Team and player statistics will also be available.
Because the technology is still being trialled, Foxtel isn't saying much
about SportsActive. But it is careful to point out that it will not be used
in every game shown - in the early stages there will be just one match from
each code.
There have been attempts to provide more information and choice for the
sports fan before, but Foxtel claims SportsActive will take coverage to
another level.....
<SNIP>
....The NRL will have a host of live games covered each weekend by Fox
Sports, which said it would continue with its successful Super Saturday
coverage of league.
As for Super 12, Foxtel looks like being the only place where it will be
seen in 2004 following Channel Seven's decision to drop its coverage. Fox
Sports will also have the Australian cricket tour of Sri Lanka, with the
one-day series starting on February 20 and the first test on March 20.
It will also have its usual comprehensive coverage of US golf and Grand Slam
tennis events, although it shares some of this with Channel Nine.
Fox Sports' English Premier League coverage will continue until the end of
the season in May and then resume for the 2004-05 season in August. But the
blockbuster event for soccer addicts will be Euro 2004 beginning on June 13,
bringing together the best European soccer nations.
Fox Footy is Foxtel's AFL channel. In the past there has been a special
charge for that service but it will now be part of Foxtel's basic package.
Apart from three live games, Fox Footy will have a number of AFL-related
programs like White Line Fever and On the Couch.
A new channel will be added to the Foxtel range, called Fuel. It will
attempt to serve the market interested in adventure and outdoor activities,
with its planned April line-up including shows on surfing, skateboarding and
freestyle motocross.
The Main Event channel, which offers mainly boxing and wrestling programs
for an extra fee, will feature Australian boxer Danny Green on March 21,
along with a number of big fights that month.
Despite Foxtel's growing sporting presence, many of the highest profile
sporting events remain on free-to-air television. However free-to-air
coverage will vary depending on the capital city or region.
Nine and Ten share the AFL rights. Nine has already planned some live Sunday
football, such as the Sydney versus Fremantle match from the SCG on April 4.
With the NRL, the Friday night (especially) and the Sunday game will again
feature the best matches of the round. The first Friday night game on March
12 is between last year's premiers the Penrith Panthers and 2001 premiers
the Newcastle Knights, while the first Sunday game is the Brisbane Broncos
versus the New Zealand Warriors.......
--
Details:
http://www.afr.com/premium/articles/2004/02/12/1076548153568.html
More news:
http://www.auspaytv.com.au/forums/ipdl.php
***
Seeing a murder on television can help work off one's antagonisms. And if
you haven't any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some.
-- Alfred Hitchcock
how the armchair sports fan will react.
Foxtel's launch of its digital service last month included plans to offer
additional services for viewers. At the core of that new service is
SportsActive, which promises greater control for the viewer.
As with the pricing of new Foxtel services, the full details of SportsActive
have yet to be spelled out.
But initially it will enable viewers to watch an AFL or NRL game and have
some say on the camera angle, or what commentary and sound effects they
listen to. Team and player statistics will also be available.
Because the technology is still being trialled, Foxtel isn't saying much
about SportsActive. But it is careful to point out that it will not be used
in every game shown - in the early stages there will be just one match from
each code.
There have been attempts to provide more information and choice for the
sports fan before, but Foxtel claims SportsActive will take coverage to
another level.....
<SNIP>
....The NRL will have a host of live games covered each weekend by Fox
Sports, which said it would continue with its successful Super Saturday
coverage of league.
As for Super 12, Foxtel looks like being the only place where it will be
seen in 2004 following Channel Seven's decision to drop its coverage. Fox
Sports will also have the Australian cricket tour of Sri Lanka, with the
one-day series starting on February 20 and the first test on March 20.
It will also have its usual comprehensive coverage of US golf and Grand Slam
tennis events, although it shares some of this with Channel Nine.
Fox Sports' English Premier League coverage will continue until the end of
the season in May and then resume for the 2004-05 season in August. But the
blockbuster event for soccer addicts will be Euro 2004 beginning on June 13,
bringing together the best European soccer nations.
Fox Footy is Foxtel's AFL channel. In the past there has been a special
charge for that service but it will now be part of Foxtel's basic package.
Apart from three live games, Fox Footy will have a number of AFL-related
programs like White Line Fever and On the Couch.
A new channel will be added to the Foxtel range, called Fuel. It will
attempt to serve the market interested in adventure and outdoor activities,
with its planned April line-up including shows on surfing, skateboarding and
freestyle motocross.
The Main Event channel, which offers mainly boxing and wrestling programs
for an extra fee, will feature Australian boxer Danny Green on March 21,
along with a number of big fights that month.
Despite Foxtel's growing sporting presence, many of the highest profile
sporting events remain on free-to-air television. However free-to-air
coverage will vary depending on the capital city or region.
Nine and Ten share the AFL rights. Nine has already planned some live Sunday
football, such as the Sydney versus Fremantle match from the SCG on April 4.
With the NRL, the Friday night (especially) and the Sunday game will again
feature the best matches of the round. The first Friday night game on March
12 is between last year's premiers the Penrith Panthers and 2001 premiers
the Newcastle Knights, while the first Sunday game is the Brisbane Broncos
versus the New Zealand Warriors.......
--
Details:
http://www.afr.com/premium/articles/2004/02/12/1076548153568.html
More news:
http://www.auspaytv.com.au/forums/ipdl.php
***
Seeing a murder on television can help work off one's antagonisms. And if
you haven't any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some.
-- Alfred Hitchcock