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By Dean Ritchie
July 28, 2004
CHANNEL 9 last night reached a historic agreement with the NRL to telecast all of this season's finals matches live on free-to-air.
Nine's rugby league executive producer Steve Crawley promised: "This will ensure the biggest finals series ever for fans."
Finals games will also be shown live into Brisbane and on WIN and NBN television.
The deal is waiting on final confirmation but is certain to be ratified.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said the deal would "reward all the fans who have turned out in large numbers this year".
"It would open the Telstra Premiership finals to more than half the Australian population," Gallop added.
Nine is anticipating enormous ratings for the finals.
"I am excited the NRL has been so open-minded about us being able to deliver the games live," Crawley said.
"Showing these games live will add another dimension to the final series.
"The finals will now be watched by millions of rugby league fans instead of hundreds of thousands of fans."
The NRL is unconcerned about the possibility of live coverage affecting crowds.
This season's grand final - to be played on October 3 at Telstra Stadium, Homebush - will also be shown live into Melbourne.
The Daily Telegraph
July 28, 2004
CHANNEL 9 last night reached a historic agreement with the NRL to telecast all of this season's finals matches live on free-to-air.
Nine's rugby league executive producer Steve Crawley promised: "This will ensure the biggest finals series ever for fans."
Finals games will also be shown live into Brisbane and on WIN and NBN television.
The deal is waiting on final confirmation but is certain to be ratified.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said the deal would "reward all the fans who have turned out in large numbers this year".
"It would open the Telstra Premiership finals to more than half the Australian population," Gallop added.
Nine is anticipating enormous ratings for the finals.
"I am excited the NRL has been so open-minded about us being able to deliver the games live," Crawley said.
"Showing these games live will add another dimension to the final series.
"The finals will now be watched by millions of rugby league fans instead of hundreds of thousands of fans."
The NRL is unconcerned about the possibility of live coverage affecting crowds.
This season's grand final - to be played on October 3 at Telstra Stadium, Homebush - will also be shown live into Melbourne.
The Daily Telegraph
