PRIME television could encounter heavy criticism after scrapping plans to broadcast the crucial AFL fixture between Carlton and North Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Sunday afternoon.
The AFL and Channel Seven earlier this week confirmed they would alter the AFL’s broadcast agreement for Sunday’s encounter in a bid to ramp up coverage of the Beijing Olympics.
Instead of televising the 2.10pm clash between the Blues and
the Kangaroos, the Opals
game against basketball powerhouse Russia will be screened
live.
Prime Wagga station manager Darren Walker said the network had been handed directives to broadcast the Olympics rather than the scheduled round-20 AFL encounter.
“We’re just following network directions and they have decided that the Olympics are going to run and not the AFL,” Walker said yesterday.
The clash between the Blues and the Kangaroos – two teams jostling to secure a finals berth - will instead be broadcast live on AUSTAR on channel 518 in NSW.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said he appreciated
the importance of providing
live coverage of the Beijing Olympics.
“The Olympics is the biggest event in world sport and Seven is doing a magnificent job in bringing the action home to Australians,” Demetriou said.
“This is a one-off event where we have a clash and we are delighted that we can work with Seven and AUSTAR, as two of our broadcast partners, to achieve the best result for as many people as possible.”
Demetriou said the decision would “enable the widest coverage of live sport possible”.