AFL is now live on Foxtel for Xbox 360.
The pay TV service was criticised when it launched in 2010 for lacking sports coverage, particularly AFL. That's all changing with the commencement of the NAB Cup ahead of the 2012 season.
Xbox 360 owners can get live coverage of AFL through the new FOOTY PLAY Channel, Powered by FOX SPORTS, which launches today.
The Footy Play channel will show eight of the nine matches live every round of the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, as well as the full NAB Cup, which begins tonight. That includes up to five games per round ad-free siren to siren. The Ninth match, not shown live, will be listed on the blackout page.
In the event of two matches clashing, an extra channel, FOOTY PLAY+, will be used to allow simultaneous broadcasts. All games will be shown in standard definition.
However, live AFL matches will cost more than the standard sports package. Xbox 360 viewers will be given two payment options. Access to AFL matches can be purchased monthly, or with a season pass.
The FOOTY PLAY channel will require users to subscribe to the "Get Started" package ($19.50 per month), "Sports" ($10) and "FOOTY PLAY" ($20) for a total of $49.50 per month. You will also have access to the other channels included in these packages.
The FOOTY PLAY Channel cannot be accessed unless you are also subscribed to "Get Started" and "Sports".
Footy fanatics can pay $100 for a season pass, paid as $20 per month for 5 months followed by two month's free access.
While it's not as substantiation as complete Foxtel, there are no contracts and you're free to cancel and resubscribe at any time.
Meanwhile, the "AFL Channel" included in the "Get Started" package for $19.50 per month will remain active. It will replay matches of the 2012 AFL season all week; however, matches will not be replayed until at least 12 hours after the final siren.
AFL 360, On The Couch and other AFL coverage on Foxtel will also be shown on FOOTY PLAY.