With the W-League celebrating its first decade, now is the time to celebrate what’s been achieved so far as well as look forward to what more can be done.
Double headers are an undeniably useful tool in terms of broadcasting.
The ability to show two games back to back from the same venue is convenient for the broadcaster and those watching on TV and, in theory, good for those at the grounds.
But the theory differs from the reality. For one, double headers beginning at 5:20pm on a Friday night only have one benefit: convenience for the broadcaster.
this is one of the biggest mistakes @FFA have made regarding the @WLeague. you have to question whether they really care about growing the women's game with decisions like ~5pm Friday KOs. https://t.co/vMh8fxuO75
— Sam 🍉 (@battledinosaur) December 12, 2017
Yes, it’s important that the game can be broadcast but it is a difficult time slot for people to get to the venue in order to actually watch the game, which is almost always the women’s match.
In the same vein, people trying to get home in order to watch the match on TV are also likely to be missing a good chunk of the game. This doesn’t even begin to consider the role time zones play.
Every Friday night the same discussion was had.
Why are games being played at a time where people can’t go to them OR watch them on TV?
At what point does the gratitude at being broadcast and the convenience for TV networks at having double headers not outweigh the actual practicalities of getting people to watch the game either in the stands or on TV?
Is this the price we have to pay for TV presence?
When the games aren’t scheduled at inappropriate times or the rare occasions when women’s games follow men’s games, there is a raft of new issues which come into focus.
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