The W-League will remain on TV screens after the FFA announced the partnership of Fox Sports and ABC TV in broadcasting the 2015/16 season.
The W-League will remain on TV screens after the FFA announced the partnership of Fox Sports and ABC TV in broadcasting the 2015/16 season.
The Match of the Round, scheduled as double headers with the A-League, will be broadcast LIVE on both Fox Sports and ABC TV on Sunday afternoons.
It is some much needed goodness for women's football almost 12 months since it was announced that a lack of federal funding would end the W-League's seven year partnership with ABC.
“This is a fantastic step forward for women’s football in Australia and FFA would like to acknowledge the cooperation of FOX SPORTS and the ABC in working together to bring the broadcast to life,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.
“The growth of the Westfield W-League is a crucial component in our long term strategy around women’s football and we will move into the 2015/16 season with coverage on FOX SPORTS as well as free to air TV.
The new deal will look to expand on the previous deal with ABC with Fox Sports rumoured to be putting significant resources to the broadcasts including pre and post-game analysis.
Streaming and online solutions are also being canvassed with a view to opening up the W-League to international markets.
“FOX SPORTS has worked closely with the FFA to ensure football fans can watch live W-League action each weekend," said CEO, Patrick Delany.
"It’s a fantastic outcome for women’s football in Australia and will be the perfect complement to our live Sunday afternoon Hyundai A-League coverage."
Following on from other sports like netball, the FFA have contributed a substantial amount to the broadcasting costs to ensure the W-League would remain on air.
With the costs of the outside broadcasts no longer their responsibility, ABC TV have come to the party to ensure that the league is crucially visible on free to air.
“Thanks to creative thinking and great collaboration between the FFA, FOX SPORTS and the ABC, the growing sport of Women’s football will be available to fans and audiences around Australia on both subscription and free to air TV,” remarked ABC's Director of Television Richard Finlayson.
The two broadcast partners will also televise the two semi-finals on 23-24 January as well as the 2016 W-League Grand Final on 31 January, which will be a standalone events.
FOX SPORTS and ABC TV Broadcast Schedule
Date | Fixture | Venue |
18 Oct 2015 | Brisbane Roar v Canberra United | Suncorp Stadium |
25 Oct 2015 | Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory | AAMI Park |
1 Nov 2015 | Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC | Pirtek Stadium |
8 Nov 2015 | Canberra United v Melbourne City | Central Coast Stadium |
15 Nov 2015 | Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory | Suncorp Stadium |
22 Nov 2015 | Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets | Coopers Stadium |
29 Nov 2015 | Western Sydney Wanderers v Canberra United | Central Coast Stadium |
6 Dec 2015 | Adelaide United v Perth Glory | Coopers Stadium |
13 Dec 2015 | Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City | Hunter Stadium |
20 Dec 2015 | Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar | Central Coast Stadium |
27 Dec 2015 | Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC | AAMI Park |
3 Jan 2016 | Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory | Hunter Stadium |
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