AFL: Friday night AFL games to be shown early on pay TV

00-00-0000
AFL: Friday night AFL games to be shown early on pay TV

Footy fans in the ACT, Queensland and New South Wales will get to see prime-time coverageof the blockbuster Collingwood vs Carlton game tomorrow night -- but only if they havepay TV.

The Australian Football League says it's reached an agreement with rights holders Nineand News Ltd to show Friday night games on pay TV before Nine's late-night broadcast.

But the talks have failed to resolve the question of free-to-air coverage, with theAFL saying it's still working with Nine and News Ltd to resolve the matter.

The AFL has been fighting a huge public backlash since the season started two weeksago and Friday night games were broadcast on Nine after 11pm in the three northern markets.

Austar subscribers in the New South Wales towns of Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin and Griffith,the Gold Coast and the ACT will see Friday night games at 8.30pm.

The Fox Footy Channel will telecast the Friday night match at 9.30pm in New South Walesand Queensland, including Sydney and Brisbane, with Nine to replay the match later thatnight.

AAP RTV kmh/daw/md/wz/rp

KEYWORD: AFL RIGHTS (CANBERRA)