- See more at: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western ... Vs0B3.dpufTHE ball has finally bounced the Perth footy fan's way after Channel Seven announced it would beam Friday night football live into Perth homes through its digital channel 7mate.
After years of denying fans live coverage, the AFL, the Federal Government and Channel Seven have agreed to broadcast AFL live on Fridays on the digital channel.
The network will also use 7mate to show more games on Saturdays too, the move coming as the government prepares to switch off analog TV channels on April 16.
The move comes after WA footy fans sent a resounding message to Channel 7 in 2011 that they wanted to watch live coverage of Friday night football on the network.
In an online poll, more than 70 per cent of PerthNow readers said they would love to watch live AFL games on one of Seven's digital channels from 5.30pm on Fridays if given the chance by the network, while almost 20 per cent said they'd like the opportunity to decide.
About time! I wonder how this will work for ratings though? Theyll have to add the 7mate and 7 ratings together since one will no doubt rob viewers from the other. Will oztam release both figures if they don't both reach the top 20? At least mediaweek on twitter should give all figures since they showed secondary channel figures for most games.
