GWS Giants want prime time games as more TV viewers tune in
THEY’RE premiership favourites and recently played in one of the most-viewed AFL games of all time. Now, GWS believes it has earned the right to feature in the most prized timeslot.
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THEY’RE premiership favourites, just picked up a two-time All-Australian and recently played in one of the most-viewed AFL games of all time.
Now the GWS Giants believe they’ve earned the right to feature in the AFL’s most prized timeslot: Friday night football.
The AFL will announce the 2017 draw in coming weeks armed with the ratings bonanza produced by the Giants’ thrilling preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium.
The match was the second highest rating ever outside a Grand Final, drawing a total average audience of 2.387 million and peaking at 3.65 million across Channel 7, 7mate and Fox Footy.
That followed their first final against the Sydney Swans, which drew an average audience of 1.51 million.
Their fast paced and highly skilled style of football has also been a winner with the Giants’ TV audience growing by more than 40 per cent last year.
Ratings trends are pointing to audiences watching successful teams, not necessarily the older established clubs or clubs languishing near the bottom of the ladder.
And the Giants are likely at the beginning of a era of dominance, boasting a young list and being listed as $4.50 outright favourites for next year’s premiership.
The Giants’ signing of Brett Deledio only boosts their profile, with the former Richmond champion adding polish to an already first-class midfield.
Like the NRL the Friday night timeslot has always been the most watched and also reflects the status of clubs in the competition.
The Giants will be looking for at least one home game in the prized viewing time at either Spotless Stadium or Manuka Oval.
“This season was a watershed one for the club both on and off the field,” Giants CEO David Matthews told The Daily Telegraph.
“We’re hoping that progress will translate into the make-up of our fixture next year.
“It’s one of the most important elements for any club in terms of planning for growth across every key aspect and that’s certainly the case for us as we look to continue the upward trajectory of 2016.”
With Good Friday falling on April 14 the Giants will be able to play a match at Spotless Stadium before Easter for the first time since 2014.
They have not been able to play at their Sydney home until round six in the last two seasons because of the ground’s commitment to the Easter Show.
A likely Round 2 match-up against a highly ranked opponent would be the perfect opening to the seasonand the ideal follow-up to the instant classic they played against the Bulldogs, who went on to defeat the Swans in the grand final.
“This year we saw more people involved with the Giants than ever before,” Matthews said.
“We had record membership and attendances and 45 per cent growth in our TV audiences.
“We were involved in some of the season’s most pulsating games and our audiences reflected that.
“We’re continuing to work with the AFL on next year’s fixture with a view to securing a number of marquee games that will ultimately deliver some terrific outcomes for our members and fans and ensure the biggest audience possible will be watching the Giants in 2017.”
GWS will also be pushing for more games on free to air television to broaden their audience appeal even further.
They had just three matches on free to air during the regular season and two in the finals.
The family friendly Saturday afternoon time slot is the one most favoured as the Giants build their fan base at Spotless Stadium.
The AFL confirmed the bye before the finals will again be used in the 2017 season allowing the possibility of a Thursday night final to open the series.
Originally published as GWS Giants want prime time games as more TV viewers tune in
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