troydodds said:
I disagree re 2GB. The actual calling of the game's is superb in my opinion and there is no better commentator in the game than Hadley. Andrew Moore is also very good.
The only problem it faces is the dribble that it can produce during the afternoon where there simply isn't a game to call.
That could be improved ... however, put yourself in their position - when 2UE lost the rights and Hadley was there with talking league, six hours of dribble out-rated 2GB's call of the game. They had to employ a good mix of both when Hadley and the crew went over to 2GB and they've done a good job in that. They can't please everyone but judging by the ratings, they are doing a pretty good job. And that's not only because they are the only station with a right to call the game - lets not forget the ABC also call matches and that a similar format at 2UE worked before the 2GB switch.
As a rugby league fan, not interested in ratings, just interested in hearing a lot less agenda-driven dribble during the main stations' 6 hour coverage of the game. It rates because they've pulled in the non-league fan which is a kick in the pants for the true league fan who doesn't want spastic songs all day.
In saying all of this, I fully realise it's the NRL's fault for awarding exclusive commercial rights in the first place. If I had the option of 2UE to go with the ABC (who don't cover league of sat arvs), I wouldn't care what 2GB did, in fact their rubbish would probably complement a more serious, yet still light-hearted 2UE call with Gibbs, Brandy, Brohman ect.
David Gallop and his mates deserve a kick up the pants for this one. It's nice to able move up and down the dial to hear things you may be interested in, but I find myself on Sundays now stuck on the ABC which do a fine job I might add. But it's nice to have options like the AFL people do in Melbourne - 8 or so stations.
Oh for the old days!
