Ayr United FC is pleased to announce that this season fans will be able to listen to live commentary on the internet of Ayr United’s Second Division games. Following lengthy discussions with the SFL, Ayr United have been granted permission to broadcast live internet commentary of SFL games and the return of post match video highlights.
Running the initiative along with Ayr United FC is Ayr United’s media partner AUmedia. AUmedia has been formed by a group of fans Calum Campbell, Iain Robb, Michael Lamont and Willie Craig who bring experience of radio presenting, production, videoing, journalism and commercial activities to the project. Willie Craig is probably best known to fans for running the popular AUTV and is central to the new venture and will continue to develop the highlight package of the service.
Iain Robb commented on the new commentary service “We had become aware that there were many Ayr United fans who could not make it to matches but were desperate to continue to support the team. We had heard from soldiers in Afghanistan, Honest Men and Women all over the world, some who were either ill or too old to make it to matches but they still wanted to experience the games. The club jumped at the opportunity to make this work as they saw it as a way of showing their commitment to the fans. They have been an amazing support through a year of broadcast trials and negotiations. We didn’t want Ayr to lose any money which should be targeted at playing staff and the general development of the club so we have financed the purchase of the licenses although we would hope that as we also develop fans will wish to sponsor programmes and buy advertising.”
Calum Campbell outlined the plans; “Now that we have received approval from the SFL we will start broadcasting on 15th September with the crucial home match against Queen of the South. With weekly and annual subscriptions available, we hope to attract not only our own fans, but also away fans who cannot travel to Somerset Park. We will also broadcast away games from grounds where we have internet access, and so far our tests have shown that this should be from the majority of grounds. In addition to this a Facebook page will allow fans direct contact with the commentators and production team to allow for comment and suggested questions for interviews or new programming.”
Ayr United have granted access to players and staff for interviews and general information and have integrated the AUmedia output into a coordinated approach running from the Ayr United website and through the match day programme.
As part of the new AUmedia programming, shows will be broadcast on the club website on match days from 30 minutes prior to kick off until 10mins after the final whistle. In midweek, they will broadcast home Reserve League games as well as a 30 minute show on a Wednesday night with highlights and post match interviews when there are no midweek games. Already a long list of fans favourites both present and past have been lined up for exclusive interviews and well known journalist and commentator Marc Roseblade will be providing a regular link up with what is going on at the Ayr United Football Academy. A season’s pass will cost £79.99 working out at around £4 a game for the home matches alone and £2.50 if all matches home and away are taken into consideration. A weekly pass will cost £4.99.
Ayr United’s Calum Torrie commented “Ayr United is delighted to be working with AUmedia to bring this new broadcast dimension to Ayr United fans. The launch for the Queen of the South game couldn’t be better and along with everyone else I am looking forward to accessing the material throughout the rest of the season.”
