NRL Broadcast Deal - False Promises

[redbur95]

I remembered the other day that Channel 9 had promised to show nightly NRL content. Sure enough, here's the proof, almost two years to the day theat the new broadcast deal was announced:

Billion dollar deal secures game's future - NRL.com

The Nine Network will broadcast:

» Three weekly matches (two on Friday and one on Sunday); » Three Thursday evening matches over the course of the year; » A stand-alone Test and City v Country weekend; » Wednesday night State of Origin matches; » A night-time Grand Final (7.15pm kick-off); » The Roosters Dragons Anzac Day matches; » Two hours of Rugby League content each evening on digital Channel 94 plus two hours of content on Saturday and Sunday morning; » Nine will ensure that all of its matches are telecast on either the ‘primary’ or ‘digital’ station in each state; » The Queensland In Trust Super Cup.

What the hell happened to this "two hours of rugby league content"? I haven't heard anything about this since the new rights deal was signed.

It just confirms to me how rubbish Channel 9 are and shows that they are willing to spend big bucks on the rights while doing nothing to improve the quality of their actual content. For the record, SpiderCam in rugby league is far from an improvement.

 

[Broncoman]

Kerry Packer would be turning in his grave

The coverage is basically the same old stuff as before the only difference is that they paid more for it. 10 were offering to show 4 live games a week but they didn't have the funds.

It just goes to show money always talks

 

[Ari Gold]

In the grand scheme of things I'm not really sure how big a deal it is that we don't have 2 hours of content per day on some digital channel. I mean, they could probably just repeat the Footy Show everyday and meet that obligations. I think the scheduling of games and Origin are far better issues for the NRL to look at.

On the side of Channel 9, the product they have received has also been pretty shit. The extent to which referees are in the equation is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Morkel]

Kerry Packer would be turning in his grave

The coverage is basically the same old stuff as before the only difference is that they paid more for it. 10 were offering to show 4 live games a week but they didn't have the funds.

It just goes to show money always talks

Ten's offer was about $300 mill short of 9's deal IIRC. But that offer didn't include Fox's contribution. 9's billion dollars did. So in reality, Ten with Fox could have been pretty close dollar-wise to 9+Fox. But 10 was offering so much more than just dollars.

 

[Mister Wright]

The best thing (maybe only good thing) was the fact that 9 no longer have last right of reply to match any offer. That means next time the deal is up if a station offers more than 9 the NRL don't have to take that offer to 9.

 

[Ari Gold]

Given the time zone in Perth, I dare say the single best negotiating tactic the game could have next deal is having a team in Perth.

 

[Mister Wright]

In the next deal all games have to be live. There should also be at least 1 FTA game Friday-Monday.

 

[vertigo]

The best thing (maybe only good thing) was the fact that 9 no longer have last right of reply to match any offer. That means next time the deal is up if a station offers more than 9 the NRL don't have to take that offer to 9.

Yep, getting rid of first and last rights with Nine and the game divorcing itself from Scum Corp will pay dividends when the negotiations for the next rights deal begin.

Internet broadcasting will definitely be talked about but wont be a mainstream thing until the fibre roll-out in this country is in full swing which should be some time in the next millennium.

 

[1910]

Kerry Packer would be turning in his grave

The coverage is basically the same old stuff as before the only difference is that they paid more for it. 10 were offering to show 4 live games a week but they didn't have the funds.

It just goes to show money always talks

Is that the same Kerry Packer that reduced games on tv to 42 minute highlight packages only?

 

[KingWebcke]

In the grand scheme of things I'm not really sure how big a deal it is that we don't have 2 hours of content per day on some digital channel. I mean, they could probably just repeat the Footy Show everyday and meet that obligations. I think the scheduling of games and Origin are far better issues for the NRL to look at.

I agree with that. even if Nine kept their promise I'm not sure I'd be that much happier. I'd rather quality broadcasting

 

[theshed]

The worst part about NRL coverage is the commentators and personalities involved with it.

Ray Hadley is a fucking audio sleeping pill. Michael Slater (wtf) and fatty dish up one of the least professional and most awkward to watch shows on tv. Beau Ryan would barely be the funniest guy in most rooms.
Wally Lewis adds nothing and is hugely bias, Gus pretends to add something and is hugely bias.

Vossy was apparently the only guy with any charisma 9 could find outside of Rabs.

 

[Morkel]

The worst part about NRL coverage is the commentators and personalities involved with it.

Ray Hadley is a fucking audio sleeping pill. Michael Slater (wtf) and fatty dish up one of the least professional and most awkward to watch shows on tv. Beau Ryan would barely be the funniest guy in most rooms.
Wally Lewis adds nothing and is hugely bias, Gus pretends to add something and is hugely bias.

Vossy was apparently the only guy with any charisma 9 could find outside of Rabs.

And he's been shafted to Q Cup & NZ games because of a fat old agenda-merchant.

 

[Big Pete]

The Footy Show is a relic.

It had it's place when Australian television was made up of shows like Hey Hey It's Saturday & Full Frontal but that was 15-20 years ago. It needs to be retired or completely reformatted.

It's a shame it's come to that though because there were some wonderful videos on the show. The episodes about Depression, Alex McKinnon etc. was great television that any Rugby League fan should have sat down to check out.

But it's all lost in segments like Small Talk, That's Gold, Crack a Fatty, Perfect Partners etc. that's just so brain dead.

As for the commentary itself...

Rabs is a relic and really shouldn't give his 2 cents on a game but as a play by play guy he is still one of the best in the business.

Gus is hot and cold. When he's off, he'll make really stupid statements that really lack thought and poorly educates the audience. When he's on, he can provide the best insight and sum the game up extremely well.

Sterlo's a prince. Lay off.

I've got to say, it took him years and years but Joey Johns is one of the best colour commentators on TV right now. Is usually the voice of reason more often than not and generally provides good insight on the nuts and bolts that most commentators miss.

The rest I could really do without.

Speaking of commentators - Gaz has stepped it up on Fox. He's usually one of the better panel members and has no issue with discussing the technical aspects of the game while being transparent. I hate how some commentators hide behind a false veil of neutrality. Gaz just comes right out and says what he thinks and if he doesn't like a team or how they play he'll flat out say it. Was far from my favourite player but he's a good egg on commentary.

 

[Kaz]

And he's been shafted to Q Cup & NZ games because of a fat old agenda-merchant.

He is no longer with 9 because of Hadley & I think Ray Warren.

 

[Broncoman]

He is no longer with 9 because of Hadley & I think Ray Warren.

It's because of Hadley mate

Hadley has hated Voss since the 90's when Voss was 2UE's sideline reporter or something. He went to 9 to further his career and Hadley has attacked him ever since. Voss made a light hearted joke about Rab's statue not looking like him and Hadley had a massive sook to Gyngell and got him sacked. Hadley is an agenda driven backstabber of the highest order.

 

[Super Freak]

I miss Voss calling our games against the Cowboys and Titans.

They always became more exciting because of him...

 

[Brett]

[MENTION=1899]Big Pete[/MENTION]: Agree on Gaz. I find his comments on Sterlo and the weekend games, to be very informative, concise and easily understandable. He seems like he understands the game really well, but better than that, he's able to put it into words that I can easily understand. He's usually the stand out on the Sterlo panel, week in, week out.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't really miss Vossy calling our games.

Sure, he'd be a major improvement on Hadley or Gilbert but then again I think I'd take out the Broncos poor performances on him, especially if he dared to sink the boot in which he's doing.

Where I believe he's missed is on shows like the Sunday Roast.

That was his show and it's sad to see what it's become without him. 9 really had something with that show and it was a really comfy way to digest the week that was until they got rid of him.

Heck, I liked his presence on the Footy Show when they gave him a go in 2009. I thought he raised some interesting points of discussion and thought it was disgusting when he was reigned in by Matty Johns on one episode for asking a player a tough but interesting question. The show was actually really watchable with him on it and then they just relegated him to a Sunday Roast recap spot called 'Stuff You May Have Missed'.

These days, I just have to make do with his NRL.com articles. Personally, I find his commentary of Warriors games a little nauseating - if I wanted to hear from the Warriors biggest cheerleader, I'd just hit Ari up for a chat. :wave: