I am a long time critic of Channel 9 and have been highly frustrated with the way they've been handling Rugby League recently. But the rot at that station goes far deeper than Rugby League. Ever since Packer offloaded it to a consortium from Singapore they've been absolutely clueless and they're getting worse every year.
Rugby League aside, the only thing I watch on Channel 9 is Top Gear and I wished that went back to SBS.
But this is about Rugby League so lets focus on that. First the good. Friday Night double headers. A great idea. Phil Gould still gives great insight and Peter Stirling knows his stuff.
That's about it. Their commentary team has aged and Stirling and Gould aside is largely becoming irrelevant. Rabs is practically senile and is getting worse every year. Andrew Johns shows flashes of being alright, but that's being polite. Brad Fittler sounds like he's drunk and Darren Lockyer really should give his voice a rest. He has the sort of voice best suited to mime. Their best caller was fast becoming Andrew Voss and yet they've gotten rid of him and brought in Ray Hadley of all people. Couldn't they think of anyone older or more shite to call the games?
They bought the rights to Super League, then buried it then refused to renew it and no one else has gone for it.
They record games in HD and broadcast them in standard definition and then give the recordings to Fox to show them in HD.
They refuse to show the game in non heartland states at anything like a reasonable hour.
The footy show is irrelevant and has alienated it's audience.
Anyone who tries to bring genuine change is booted.
They have killed the Roast, previously one of the best League shows on TV.
Channel 9 used to be great for Rugby League, but for the past five or more years they've been holding the game back. Packer knew his stuff and he would be turning in his grave at the way this lot are carrying on.
It's time for a change.