The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers will feature on SBS ONE and SBS HD as the Hyundai A-League will be broadcast on Friday nights LIVE on SBS ONE and simulcast in high definition on SBS HD during the upcoming season.
SBS and Football Federation Australia (FFA) will partner to invest in the future growth of the premier national competition with a focus on Harvey Norman Friday Night Football.
The new broadcast arrangements will elevate the Hyundai A-League’s presence on free-to-air television and expand its promotion to Australian audiences.
The enormous success of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on SBS which reached an audience of 10.8 million on television alone speaks to the growing popularity of the world game in Australia, with Socceroos’ opening group match in Brazil attracting an average of 2.28 million viewers, making it the 5th highest rating individual program of all time for SBS.
With modest resources, SBS focuses its investments on programs and sports properties which deliver the SBS Charter and connects with all Australians. This brings a wider Australian audience to SBS as well as generates revenue that can be invested back into producing more great local programs.
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said; “Moving the Hyundai A-League to SBS ONE capitalises on our momentum from the World Cup and signals our increased commitment to and confidence in growing this great game which unites communities across so many cultures.”
SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp said; “Bringing the Hyundai A-League to free-to air audiences for the first time in 2013 was an important step forward for SBS and the game. The immense success of our 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage on SBS ONE shows there is an incredible thirst for football in Australia.”
FFA CEO David Gallop said; “The move of Hyundai A-League broadcasts to SBS ONE is sign of SBS’s commitment to the game and underlines the booming popularity of the Hyundai A-League.
“This is a pivotal move for Australian football and reflects the game’s vibrant role in the mainstream of our society.”
“On behalf of the Australian football community, I commend SBS for this initiative.”
The live Friday night Hyundai A-League games will broadcast at 7.30pm (AEDT) from October 10, encore screenings from 1pm (AEDT) Saturdays on SBS 2 and will also stream online at www.sbs.com.au/TheWorldGame.
WANDERERS MATCHES ON SBS
Round 1 10/10 Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney
Round 12 19/12 Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney
Round 22 13/03 Western Sydney v Melbourne Victory
Round 25 03/04 Western Sydney v Melbourne City
**Rounds 9, 15, 16 not yet confirmed
Source: OzTAM and RegTAM 5 city metro and aggregated regional 1/1/2001 to 11/08/2014 average audience total individuals consolidated (live+as live+tsv)
