Three live free-TV games a round

BC-02Catalogue name: Three live free-to-air games a round, on average

What it means

Averaged over the season, free-to-airTelevision anyone can watch without a subscription.Read more in the glossary television carries at least three live games every round.

Why it exists

The TV deal promises fans a steady supply of live free-to-air footy, not a glut early and a drought later.

For example

A round may have only two live free-to-air games if other rounds make up for it. The season average must reach three or more.

How strictly it applies

Must-follow The fixture must obey this rule. A separate checker tests the finished fixture afterwards.

Must-follow, measured as a season average rather than round by round. Checked independently from the 18 September release.

Where to see it

Prime-time games shows how this plays out across the season.

How it played out across versions

One cell per release, oldest first. Each shows the verdict that release recorded for this rule; a release with no row for the rule says so.

13 Sep13 Sep 2026Preview 13 September2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
13 Sep13 Sep 2026Preview 14 September (seed 42)2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Repeat-qualified (seed 42)2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Corrected (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Rules release (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
15 Sep15 Sep 2026B009 nominal (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet
18 Sep18 Sep 2026B010 nominal (weight 0.10)2027 · Generated
Met, met
19 Sep19 Sep 2026B011 nominal2027 · Generated
Met, met
30 Sep30 Sep 2026B012 Wednesday opening2027 · Generated
Met, met
20252025 season as played2025 · As played
This version has no recorded result for this rule.

First checked independently in TV slots added, 18 Sep 2026.

For analysts: catalogue text and codes

Rule id: BC-02
Catalogue text: Average of at least three live FTA matches per round.
Catalogue type: Hard / contract
Catalogue family: Broadcast Rights Constraints (2025–2031 Deal)
Class: hard · The fixture must never break it.
Step: S4 · Step 5: TV slot
Recorded status: met · source row evaluated
Catalogue reason: A commitment in the broadcast deal.