ABC looks to dump football coverage
Phillip Hudson
From: Herald Sun September 16, 2011 11:58AM
THE ABC is considering axing its weekend TV broadcast of VFL games.
In a further blow to local sports fans after the ABC said it would scrap lawn bowls next year, Sydney-based management are now looking at dumping football which has had declining ratings over the past five years.
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten called on the ABC to "disown this bad idea."
"VFL football is in many ways the heart and soul of Victoria's suburban and local football story. It's football the way football used to be,'' Mr Shorten told the Herald Sun.
“I think it is great to get along and watch it at the old grounds, but it’s also terrific to be able to watch it from the comfort of home - live on the ABC."
“If you're an elderly VFL fan who finds it a bit difficult to get to the game or indeed just like watching it from the lounge room with family you would be terribly disappointed to see the ABC cut the coverage next season.''
“The ABC charter is about diversity, community and accounting for all tastes. It's not like a commercial network who prioritise ratings.''
SA Parliament is leading the way with a letter to the ABC re SANFL coverage, and the Adelaide Advertiser is running an online petition:
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/petition
We really need to have a petition go around at next week's grand final. I am in China but if a couple of people here can get that organised you could get thousands of signatures on it, especially if volunteers from the various clubs combined forces.
You should be able to get quite a few signatures from over there Paul plus Wally could bring back many more from Cambodia.
A one billion signature petition sure would be impressive!
Anyone know of a similar campaign for the other states affected?