Challenge Cup Final to be shown live in Oz

[coldhardbitch]

From Smh

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/dragons-duo-in-race-for-fitness/2005/08/11/1123353446896.html?oneclick=true

"NRL chief executive David Gallop is understood to have intervened to ensure the Challenge Cup final is not absent from Australian television screens for the first time in 20 years this month.
The English showpiece was cited by Johns as having had a major influence on him as a child, but a programming spokesman for Fox Sports said this week the Hull-Leeds match from the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, on August 27 had not even been offered to the network.

After learning of the situation, Gallop is understood to have made contact with the BBC and Fox Sports chief executive David Malone yesterday to make sure the game is shown."

Good to see David Gallop stepping in. Seems we are certain to get the event now. Anyone up for a challenge cup final party?

 

[bartman]

Great result for fans!

Can't believe Fox's excuse was "it wasn't even offered"? Go out and ask for it, you silly people! Just because it's a different broadcaster doesn't mean you can't pick up the phone yourselves...

 

[SalfordRedsWA]

BBC are as much to blame.

 

[jed]

Is it being broadcast live though? Last I heard it was still a replay.

 

[upbonk]

BBC are as much to blame.

BBC are all to blame. What broadcaster (without an agenda) would choose not to offer such a prestigious sporting event to a nation where that sport is one of the top two.

 

[bartman]

But it's also up to the broadcaster in that nation to be aware of the game, find out who's got the rights, and make an approach? Goes both ways, and I think it's a diasappointing reflection of Foxtel's initiative toward the broader game as well.