The downfall of Fox Footy.

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IIRC with foxtel IQ the viewer was able to change camera angles, turn off the commentators (crowd only), or press red for ed. It that still a thing.

in order for streaming services to take the next step we need to be able to do that, as well as chose commentator stream, Ch7, foxtel, radio (MMM, 3Aw etc) or clubs could have their own call. The footage itself would still be the Ch7/foxtel feed so all the ground sponsors, would still be air.
 

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IIRC with foxtel IQ the viewer was able to change camera angles, turn off the commentators (crowd only), or press red for ed. It that still a thing.
You recall correctly, even right at the start back in '02 you could press red for stats for example, that's about the only things that's moved to Kayo.
Couldn't tell you if that's still a thing but I doubt it otherwise we'd be hearing all about it.
Would like to see 'Press Red' make a return. Wouldn't even need to call in anything for a Hawks-biased call with Dermott, Dunstall, Dixon and Howie already on the payroll @ Fox.
in order for streaming services to take the next step we need to be able to do that, as well as chose commentator stream, Ch7, foxtel, radio (MMM, 3Aw etc) or clubs could have their own call. The footage itself would still be the Ch7/foxtel feed so all the ground sponsors, would still be air.
That would mean getting agreements with said tv and radio stations, who may already have their own exclusive contracts (e.g. Triple M & LiSTNR). Same with clubs doing their own call; all the ex-players in the media are tied down to a tv and radio station. Even if that wasn't a barrier, the cost would be. Remember, this is the network that won't send commentators interstate.
 
I'd love an option to just have the wide shot when watching the footy, it's really annoying the way they cut in and out and from different angles so you lose some awareness of the position and direction of play. With HD and UHD you can easily follow the wide shots, and you could probably do so even on a phone let alone today's tellies that take up half the wall.

Why bother with the commentators having to tell us why a player stops and props when he's free in space when if they kept it on that wide shot we'd see for ourselves that he's got nothing on down the ground
 
Worst part about the cameras is the ridiculous zoomed in shots, especially when it's a rolling maul and there's zero context to what will happen if the ball comes out.

The directors seem to think they're auditioning for Hollywood or something. Just keep it ****ing simple.
 
They say that they do, but why does it seem like their commentary is like they're just calling off the same s**t we're seeing? It's so embarrassing. Is there any other major professional sporting league in the world that does this? There needs to be more attention brought to it.

Yes - very noticeable when Heeney went down off the ball. If they’d had multiple screens they’d have been all over it.
 
I'd love an option to just have the wide shot when watching the footy, it's really annoying the way they cut in and out and from different angles so you lose some awareness of the position and direction of play. With HD and UHD you can easily follow the wide shots, and you could probably do so even on a phone let alone today's tellies that take up half the wall.

Why bother with the commentators having to tell us why a player stops and props when he's free in space when if they kept it on that wide shot we'd see for ourselves that he's got nothing on down the ground
the amount of times they zoom in on the face of someone about to kick it inside 50 is insane. i don't want to see the player trying to think what they'll do, I want to see what they might be able to kick it to
 
Marketing vs misinformation.

A retired mate has a spreadsheet of Fox Footy/Sports quotes from presenters and commentators that he updates every month and then emails Foxtel/Fox Footy producers seeking an explanation. Unsurprisingly he has not recieved a single response to any of this since he started his 'quest' 18 months ago.
He's been quite asute with not including comments considered 'opinion', which is not easy given about 90% of FF's weekly footy related shows/pre and post game presentations are opinion.

It's no coincidence that he commenced this when he, like most of us, realized the commentators were calling all the interstate games from Fox Footy's Melbourne based studio and because FF have never formally announced this, he rightly calls it deceitful. The related quotes are a fun read, he queries; "how do the match callers know the ground conditions, weather, crowd atomsphere, teams forward and defensive structures when they are not at the venue..?"
His list also includes such things as the hosts claiming that the next match or other sporting events are a 'must watch' or 'they can't wait to see it'. He queries; "if they watch every game or other 'must watch' live events on Fox Sports (i.e. Golf, Cricket, F1, Rugby etc.) when do these poor bastards get any sleep..?"

A classic example of 'marketing vs misinformation' was the recent Gather round with FF presenters repeated claims that 'all the matches were sold out'..? He queries; "Despite the fact some matches had huge areas of empty seats the broadcaster/presenters refused to clarify/concede that 'sold out' was/is actually related to the 'ticketed allocation' for games..?"
Another was related to Fox cricket during the recent India tests, whereas during the pre-match show for the 4th test Brendan Julian stated, quote; "A great day for test cricket, with over 100,000 in attendance including the respective Prime Ministers!". Then about 5 overs into the test Ravi Shastri commentating casually observes; "A nice crowd building here, looks like it's close to 70,000 already"...

Having shared this and despite supporting his quest, the fact is I really couldn't give a faaaaaaaaark as I rarely watch anything outside the first bounce of the ball to the final siren...
 
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Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but a number of Fox commentators are a very long way removed from their last formal involvement in football clubs.
Dunstall, Lyon and Brereton all peaked in the 1980s.

Fun fact: Brereton's debut was several years closer to World War II than to Nick Daicos' debut.
Not being ageist, just suggesting there's got to be some more contemporary views on the game.

It's not just Fox Footy. Throw the net a bit wider and you'll find names such as:

Dwayne Russell: last played in 1991
Gerard Healy: last played in 1990
Brian Taylor: last played in 1990

This is the equivalent of watching Channel 7 in the 1980s, and having no one younger than Lou Richards or Jack Dyer. Or having Peter Landy endlessly ask Lou Richards what he would have done instead of watching the game in front of them.

If it wasn't such a boys' club none of them would have a job. They all like to think of themselves as the cool kids but they are now so far removed from the game their opinions don't matter.
 
too many have either been there too long or are there for reasons unknown

Foxtel
Whately - has become a holier than thou pontificator of how the game should be. Used to like him, but his AFL/Geelong cheerleading has worn thin
Robbo - not denigrate TGO, but health aside, i think he's the other side of the same coin to Whately. It should be this, rather than just providing insight
King - Stats heavy bore with narrow ideas that aren't that well considered
Dixon, Mooney & Gaze - Buffoon squad.
N.Riewoldt - now Rossy has a job, his usefulness has disappeared

Foxfooty
Kane - Shit stirrer for the sake of it
Lloyd - Lisa Simpson - answers to questions nobody asked

Dunstall, Dermie, Montagna and Lyon i don't mind.
Bucks is good too. Good insights into the footy side

Brown im on the fence with.
 
It's not just Fox Footy. Throw the net a bit wider and you'll find names such as:

Dwayne Russell: last played in 1991
Gerard Healy: last played in 1990
Brian Taylor: last played in 1990

This is the equivalent of watching Channel 7 in the 1980s, and having no one younger than Lou Richards or Jack Dyer. Or having Peter Landy endlessly ask Lou Richards what he would have done instead of watching the game in front of them.

If it wasn't such a boys' club none of them would have a job. They all like to think of themselves as the cool kids but they are now so far removed from the game their opinions don't matter.
Just bc u are older doesn't mean you are removed from the game. Thats a bizarre comment. If this was the case then Wayne Bennett and Bellamy wouldn't be considered 2 of the best coaches in the NRL. You can be young and have completely no idea in the same way that an older commentator might prophesise that you need to "kick the ball long" in every situation.
Take your point though that there should be more current day players doing the calling - BT is the obvious one that needs the hook imo but it's not because of his age.
 
too many have either been there too long or are there for reasons unknown

Foxtel
Whately - has become a holier than thou pontificator of how the game should be. Used to like him, but his AFL/Geelong cheerleading has worn thin
Robbo - not denigrate TGO, but health aside, i think he's the other side of the same coin to Whately. It should be this, rather than just providing insight
King - Stats heavy bore with narrow ideas that aren't that well considered
Dixon, Mooney & Gaze - Buffoon squad.
N.Riewoldt - now Rossy has a job, his usefulness has disappeared

Foxfooty
Kane - s**t stirrer for the sake of it
Lloyd - Lisa Simpson - answers to questions nobody asked

Dunstall, Dermie, Montagna and Lyon i don't mind.
Bucks is good too. Good insights into the footy side

Brown im on the fence with.
Good summary imo. Think you could add with Kingy that he becomes so "data metrics" focused he doesn't realise when he has contradicted himself from 2 weeks previous.
 

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The downfall of Fox Footy.


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