Tim Watson says The Footy Show’s demise is ‘sad’
AFL great and Channel 7 sport presenter Tim Watson has described the fall from grace of the AFL Footy Show as “sad” as the once-popular program’s continues its ratings slump.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFL great and Channel 7 sport presenter Tim Watson has described the fall from grace of the AFL Footy Show as “sad”.
The Footy Show crashed to a dismal 134,000 viewers on Wednesday night, nearly 60,000 behind rival The Front Bar.
The two shows screened on Wednesday night instead of the usual Thursday because of the West Coast v Essendon clash.
FOOTY SHOW SHUFFLE PUTS SUPER SAM TO THE TEST
MORE VIEWERS SWITCH OFF THE FOOTY SHOW
“I was there at the beginning. I feel like I have this emotional connection to the whole Footy Show thing because I was there on day one,” Watson said on SEN.
“It’s not all about me but I just want to put some context around what I am saying.
“It is very sad to see them where they are today.
“(130,000) got Hutchy (former host Craig Hutchison) sacked. He didn’t go to 130.
“What do they need to do? I believe they want to make you laugh, they want to make you cry, they want to have fun but I’m not quite sure which part of that is working at the moment.”
The two shows screened in a head-to-head battle on Wednesday night instead of the usual Thursday because of this week’s West Coast-Essendon clash.
Last week, Seven took a different course, screening The Front Bar in a late night slot on the Thursday after the Port Adelaide versus Western Bulldogs clash.
IS CARLTON TO BLAME FOR FOOTY RATINGS SLUMP?
LYON’S FOOTY SHOW WARNING FELL ON DEAF EARS
Earlier this week on radio, Pang said he felt that the late night timeslot was a mistake and that a lot of fans may have missed watching the show.
Seven seems to have agreed with that view.
“It just made more sense (to move to an earlier slot on Wednesday),” a Seven spokeswoman said. “The Front Bar has a great following and we wanted to put it where fans and families could see it.”
The Front Bar and The Footy Show will continue their Wednesday head-to-head clash next week because Seven will be televising the Richmond versus Sydney clash on the Thursday.
‘Players deserve better’: AFLW needs big ‘reset’
The AFLW needs a significant “reset” ahead of its 10th season, with league headquarters urged to put players back at the top of the priority list and develop a bold 10-year plan for the competition.
AFL ruling opens door to wild three-team mega trade
Port Adelaide has the green light to strike a simple deal and get trade period moving – or a complex three-way move with two other clubs and multiple players.