It was a highlight for many AFL fans while airing on Ch10 last year, and even though the network doesn’t have the broadcast rights for the games they’re quite smartly still bringing back Before The Game. 10 seasons is no mean feat for any television show these days… From the press release:
Australia’s favourite AFL footy program, Before The Game, returns to TEN in 2012 for its tenth season. Recovered from the end of season trip and deep into pre-season training, the entire BTG team – Dave Hughes, Andrew Maher, Mick Molloy, Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, Samantha Lane and Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald – will be “match- ready” for what promises to be another premiership season.
Dave Hughes said today, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the public support and we’re all rapt that Ten have stuck by the show. It’s great that we’ve got the whole team coming back this year to the same slot on the same network for our tenth big year of Before The Game.”
Mick Molloy added, “Like Dave, I’m really excited to be doing another year of the show on Ten, and it’s fantastic that the whole team is coming back – except for Andy, we could have done without him.” Before The Game’s unique blend of commentary and comedy means that the show’s massive fan base is not just die-hard footy fans but a wider family audience that tune in religiously for one of TV’s consistently funniest hours.
Both irreverent and insightful, Before The Game will continue to kick goals every Saturday night of the 2012 AFL season and can be seen at 6:30pm on TEN in Melbourne. In all other markets BTG can be seen Saturday night on ONE. Before The Game will return to TEN Saturday 24 March 2012 with the lead up to the inaugural Sydney Derby between the Swans and GWS, footy’s loss will be comedy’s gain. Turn it on!
Before The Game – starts Sat 24/3 6:30pm, Ch10 (MEL); ONE (other markets).
Big Brother has a lot to answer for!!
Big Brothers “evicted” contestants showing up on Rove not long after being evicted, combined with the general cross promoting on Rove of BB, helped greatly in giving rise to Rove and his Enterprises. Viewers would watch Rove too see that weeks evictee (closer to the start of the show) and then turn off/over. I believe once 10 realised this, they put the evictee on right at the end of the show, forcing the viewer to watch the whole show. (I started to rec Rove and ffw to the end) I found it most ironic when Rove realised the importance of BB to his show, his obvious distaste for this situation left him treating evictees and the BB show with arrogance and contempt.
I think 10 must have “seriously” fallen in love with Rove and his below par humour. Why else would they let him produce so many more unfunny shows including Before The Game and the show that doesn’t know if it’s Arthur or Martha, coming or going -The Project.
I saw Rove on the Morning Show last week, still not funny, yet he laughs all the way to the bank.
Good for him (less TV for me:)
Lots of people enjoy Before the Game, Matt. I can understand you may not like Rove, however he has been very successful.