AFL live in Melbourne

Network TEN has bowed to pressure to air the AFL match in Melbourne live on Thursday after the game between Richmond and Carlton was declared a sellout.

This brings the game forward to 7:30pm and moves the launch of ONE HD to 7pm.

TEN is only moving the match in Melbourne.

“We are happy to announce that the game will now be televised LIVE in both standard definition on TEN and in high definition on ONE at 7.30pm in Melbourne,” said Network TEN General Manager of Sport David White.

Revised Rundown:
5:00pm TEN News at Five (As Scheduled)
6:00pm Neighbours
6:30pm The Biggest Loser
7:30pm AFL Premiership Season 2009 – Richmond V Carlton – LIVE
10:30pm TEN Late News with Sports Tonight
11:15pm The Late Show with David Letterman

All other markets remain as per original schedule on both TEN and ONE.
Perth – 8pm
Adelaide – 8pm
Sydney – 11.15pm
Brisbane – 11.15pm

A TEN spokesperson also told Radio 3AW that it would like to always screen live but even with sellout games it required enough notice to publicise the change. Put under the gun by commentator Neil Mitchell the spokesperson committed to running AFL games if a sellout was declared more than three days before the game.

The live Thursday match effectively means ONE HD will officially launch in Melbourne before anywhere else in the country.