Kayo Chief Defends Price Hikes, Declares Service “Best in World”
Foxtel chief Patrick Delany has staunchly defended recent price increases for the sports streaming service Kayo, asserting that it stands as the premier platform globally despite subscriber grumbles regarding cost and technological performance. Delany’s remarks come amidst a period of adjustment for AFL viewing habits, particularly with Saturday matches now exclusively behind a paywall.
Delany suggested that AFL fans have adapted to these changes, a sentiment he believes will solidify this year, especially in Melbourne where exclusive Saturday fixtures are a significant draw. He highlighted that Kayo offers “wall-to-wall coverage,” enabling the AFL to reinvest substantial funds into grassroots development.
“I think, by and large, it was a disruption of habits and people got used to it by the end of the season,” Delany stated. “I think it will become very popular this year, especially in Melbourne with the whole of the season with exclusive Saturdays.”
Despite these assertions, subscribers have voiced frustrations on social media, citing issues such as freezing, buffering, and app crashes, particularly during periods of high demand. Delany, however, attributed many of these problems to external factors, including potential satellite interference due to weather or limitations within a household’s internet bandwidth.
“I would say this, most of the issues end up being inside a consumer’s home because there is no coincidence between running a 4K livestream of sport and the kids being on their computers and everybody else doing things,” he explained. “It’s not necessarily because there are a lot of users from our end. It’s usually because in the home, either the Wi-Fi or the broadband is being stretched. That’s not to say we are perfect. That is one of the things in and around streaming, specifically in sports. It’s more complicated to stream but, by and large, while we are not perfect, I think we are pretty good, and I would urge people to just check out their home set-ups. You could be getting a home signal, but you may not be getting much through the pipe, or not enough, and modern households use a lot of bandwidth.”
The recent price adjustment saw Kayo’s premium service increase from $40 to $45.99 per month. This hike was attributed to the significant investment Foxtel has made in securing rights for a wide array of major sporting events. The standard tier remains at $29.99 per month. A premium subscription offers the convenience of streaming on two devices simultaneously and in 4K resolution. It’s worth noting that a $5 increase was also implemented for both Kayo Sports’ standard and premium packages earlier in 2025.
“It reflects our continuing investment in really quality sports rights,” Delany reiterated. “You have got to remember Kayo isn’t just any streamer. It’s actually probably the best streamer in the world, 50 sports live. No one has got that anywhere in the world. No one in Australia comes anywhere close.”
He further elaborated on the value proposition, stating, “It’s one thing to have 50 sports. It’s one thing to have the top-tier of AFL, NRL, cricket and motorsports. These things are expensive. But what we have done is maintain great value, and we have kept our baseline price pretty low.”
Delany also highlighted Foxtel’s substantial financial contribution to sports, with industry sources suggesting the company accounts for approximately 70 per cent of broadcast rights expenditure.
AFL Scheduling: A Look Ahead
The AFL has been exploring various scheduling adjustments to accommodate broadcasters, including the reintroduction of the State of Origin and a new wildcard round, alongside an expanded 10-team finals series. Historically, the league experimented with Monday night football from 2009 to 2014, a move intended to alleviate pressure on Sunday fixtures, particularly during the Mother’s Day round. However, this initiative eventually faced similar attendance and viewership challenges. Similarly, Sunday night games, which faltered a decade ago, are now performing strongly, according to Seven’s sports boss Chris Jones, rivaling the popular Thursday and Friday night slots.
When questioned about the possibility of extending matches to Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings, as was briefly implemented during the pandemic, Delany expressed openness to the idea. “It’s an interesting idea. We would like sport on every night,” he remarked. “Going back to the value of the subscription, it makes it more value for the subscription.”
However, he cautioned that any such changes would require careful consideration of fan convenience. “I think there is always a balance that has got to be struck between when it is convenient for subscribers and fans to watch the game, both in terms of available hours at home but also being able to get to the game,” Delany said. “These things you have got to balance. There might be scope for it, but it’s something we haven’t been discussing with the AFL.”
Weddle Commits to Hawthorn for Four More Years
Emerging Hawthorn star Josh Weddle has inked a four-year contract extension, a significant move that will see him earn close to $900,000 per season from next year. This commitment comes amid external scepticism regarding the Hawks’ midfield strength, particularly following the injury layoff of Will Day and the unsuccessful pursuit of Essendon’s Zach Merrett.
Despite these doubts, Weddle, who has expressed a future ambition to play in the midfield, believes the team’s engine room is poised to surprise. “We get a little bit of stick [from people] who think our weakest area of the ground is the midfield,” Weddle commented. “I think we will prove people wrong and be very strong in there.”
The 21-year-old’s decision was confirmed by the club, following a substantial offer from Essendon that reportedly included a seven-year deal worth approximately $10 million. Weddle, who will become a free agent upon the expiry of his new contract, has made a considerable impact since his 2023 debut, featuring in 60 matches across various roles.
While primarily a defender, Weddle showcased his game-breaking ability in the final quarter of last year’s elimination final, where a strategic switch to attack against GWS proved pivotal in turning the tide for Hawthorn. He embraces the opportunity to develop his versatility at this stage of his career.
Hawthorn’s football boss, Rob McCartney, underscored Weddle’s importance to the club’s future. “He is an important part of what we are aspiring to achieve, and we are extremely confident that his best is yet to come,” McCartney stated in a club release. “In the early years of his career, Josh has shown a capacity to produce some special moments that can change a game or lift his teammates back into the contest.”
McCartney further praised Weddle’s adaptability: “While his explosive running power has been well documented, the evolution of Josh’s game as a defender to playing on the wing, in the ruck and even up forward, highlights his versatility and selflessness to play any role required to make us better.”
Weddle has been trialled in midfield and on the wing, but his primary development is expected to continue in defence, where his powerful runs and physical presence make him a formidable opponent. Despite missing eight matches in 2025 and not finishing in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest, he is widely regarded as a match-winner with immense potential.
His recruitment in the 2022 national draft, achieved through a trade with Sydney to secure pick 18 ahead of GWS, was a testament to his high standing among recruiters. Securing his signature before the season commences is a significant boost for the Hawks as they aim for a premiership tilt, following last year’s preliminary final loss to Geelong.
With a solid defence and a promising cohort of young talent, Hawthorn is anticipated to be a strong contender again this September. Triple premiership captain Luke Hodge believes the midfield vacancies present a prime opportunity for players to step up. “It’s an opportunity for [Cam] McKenzie or [Josh] Ward to step up and fill the void,” Hodge commented. “So many times over the year there has been an injury and someone who you never thought of could step up and really set up their career.”
