Fox’s AFL channel to be based out of Melbourne’s Global Television studio
Fox Sports’ new 24 hour AFL channel will be based out of outdoor broadcast company Global Television’s Melbourne studio.
The announcement:
FOX FOOTY CHANNEL TO CALL GLOBAL STUDIOS MELBOURNE HOME
FOX SPORTS‟ new 24-hour AFL Channel, FOX FOOTY, will call Global Television Studios in Melbourne home, the companies announced today.
Global is constructing purpose-built production offices and High Definition television studios for FOX SPORTS within its Southbank, Melbourne, complex.
Concurrently, FOX SPORTS has re-engaged Global to facilitate its High Definition digital AFL coverage for a further five years (2012-2016). Global Television has provided broadcast technical services for FOXTEL and FOX SPORTS‟ AFL telecasts since 2001.
Programs originating from FOX FOOTY‟s dedicated studios will include panel-style shows, sports entertainment and news presentations.
The FOX FOOTY studios will have eight permanent HD cameras, with the ability to scale-up when required, and enjoy connectivity to the larger studio floors within the Global Television studio complex.
FOX FOOTY will also have 1,590m2 of purpose-built creative and office space attached to the HD studios, as well as its own highly visible and prominently branded public entranceway from Dorcas Street (corner of Wells Street).
To envelop the facility in a 24/7 television feel, a large sound-proof glass viewing wall between the lobby and Studio 1 will offer visitors and staff alike a view of the on-floor action.
FOX FOOTY will exclusively broadcast AFL coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the season and is available to FOXTEL and AUSTAR sports subscribers from February 17.
For the first time in broadcasting history, FOX FOOTY will be home to LIVE, UNINTERRUPTED and HIGH DEFINITION coverage of every match in the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, plus exclusive coverage of the 2012 NAB Cup, FOXTEL Cup, Under-18 Championships and key AFL events complemented by the best commentary and analysis in the business.
Patrick Delany, FOX SPORTS CEO, said: “We‟ve had a long relationship with Global Television as our outside broadcast provider and we look forward to building an even more formidable partnership in 2012.
“We have very high aspirations for FOX FOOTY and we are confident that these new purpose-built facilities at Global will assist in the delivery of unparalleled AFL coverage to footy fans, followers and fanatics alike.”Keith Andrews, Global Television CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome FOX FOOTY to Global Television‟s Melbourne Studios and to extend our long-standing partnership with FOX SPORTS for their AFL coverage.
“Our Melbourne studios are the ideal solution for FOX FOOTY and work is well advanced on the channel‟s new home.Global Television Services Pty Limited ABN 89 010 122 611 Premier Media Group Pty Ltd ACN 065 445 418
“In addition, Global‟s expanded outside broadcast fleet, after merging with the Cutting Edge OB business, enables immediate High Definition coverage of all FOX SPORTS AFL games, no matter where they are played across Australia.
“We are all very excited about working even more closely with the FOX FOOTY team in 2012.”
Design work on the FOX FOOTY studios and support areas is complete and construction is underway with completion anticipated in mid-2012.
Global Television is providing an interim studio solution for FOX FOOTY within Global’s existing Melbourne Studios complex, using the current Studio B and onsite HD control room.
FOX FOOTY Studios at Global Television Studios Melbourne: key points
- Fully-serviced professional production Studios 1 and 2: 114m2 each. Features include:
o interconnecting large studio doors to enable camera movement
o latest-technology “cool” lighting
o large glass viewing wall from the main lobby into Studio 1o viewing windows from break-out areas to Studio 2
- Eight permanent cameras, enabling live crosses between production floors
- Dedicated FOX FOOTY control room
- Studio support areas including locker rooms, green rooms, wardrobe and various break-outs
- Access to Global Television Studio A or B for larger-style productions shot before a live audience, with seating for up to 350 people
- 1,590m2 of purpose-built creative and office space spread across two floors, encompassing a mezzanine floor (gallery-style) open to the floor below
- Bespoke design with raked ceiling beams, suspended lights and heavy-wired railing systems
- Extensive natural light from windows and large skylights
- Exclusive FOX Footy channel entranceway from the high traffic intersection of Dorcas and Wells Streets
Global Television’s AFL facilitation for FOX SPORTS in 2012: key elements
- 18 NAB Cup games
- 110 AFL home and away season games (five per round) encompassing:
o 20-camera coverage (9 manned and 11 point-of-view), equating to a total of 100 Global Television cameras deployed per round
o 30 channels of record/replay, equating to 150 channels per round (“channels” in this sense mean the individual camera streams that come together – under the director’s guidance – to form the telecast that TV viewers see)
o 42 crew/commentators per game, equating to 210 staff shifts per round
- 15 FOXTEL Cup (juniors) games
- Under-18s National Championships
- TAC Cup Grand final (under-18s)
Source: Global Television press release
