A-League in crisis as TV company collapses – as code battles to avoid broadcasts of games being cancelled

The A-League is in crisis after the TV company that produces its live broadcasts has gone into administration.

Global Advance, the production company who provide live feeds for Channel 10 and Paramount+, has gone bust, with an administrator appointed on Wednesday. 

Late-night talks are now underway as to how the broadcasts for this weekend’s games will be salvaged.

Adam Hoskins, a TV director for Fox Sports, tweeted on Wednesday: ‘The company that they [the A-League] pay to produce the broadcast of their matches has gone belly up. 

‘Gates locked. Feel sorry for all their staff that are now in a world of hurt.’

A Reddit user claiming to be a freelancer with Global Advance posted on the forum: ‘Just got confirmation that this is true and all us freelancers have been left out of the loop. 

Global Advance has ‘gone belly up’ and talks are underway to salvage coverage

‘At the moment the A-League for this weekend will have no production going ahead.’

NEC, another production company, is believed to be in talks with the A-League over producing live streams for the games. At the time of publication, the matches are still scheduled to be played. 

The Australian Professional Leagues – which is in charge of the entertainment side of the country’s top-tier football competitions – voiced its shock at the news in a statement on Wednesday.

‘We were made aware yesterday that Global Advance (GA), the independent production company that produces the telecast for our women’s and men’s matches, has gone into administration,’ the statement read.

Australian Professional Leagues – which runs the entertainment side of the country’s top-tier football competitions – voiced its shock at the development on Wednesday (pictured, Matildas star Cortnee Vine, left, in action for Sydney FC)

‘We are disappointed in the manner in which this has come to our attention, and the risk this has placed on our fan, player, club, broadcast and commercial commitments. We have been let down, and will be working with the administrators to recoup monies owing to APL.

‘Through a lot of hard work by a new production company, our partners, and our team, we are close to finalising an agreement and are confident all matches will be broadcast, starting today.’

Global Advance was founded 2019 by partners Chris McMillan and Ian Hogg.

In an interview with mediaweek in 2022, Hogg outlined his vision for the firm. 

‘GA is here to stay, our investment will significantly shift in the next twelve months as we grow market share,’ he said.

‘We don’t need to be the biggest, but we certainly want to be the best.’