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Penrith become TV stars
By Paul Kent
December 20, 2003
Fox Sports
PREMIERS Penrith will appear on free-to-air television for the first five weeks of next year's NRL premiership.
Panthers chief executive Shane Richardson believes it is a reward for not only the success of last season but also the style the Panthers play.
"I think we had one Channel 9 game in 2002 and even last year we hardly went on TV early, even when we were doing well," Richardson said. "When we did the ratings were sensational. We like to think we're everybody's second team.
"It also goes down to the style we're playing. We're scoring lots of points and we might not be the best defensive team in the competition but we managed to win it anyway."
The NRL yesterday released its schedule for its first five weeks, which will kick off with the Panthers playing Newcastle on Friday night. The Sunday game is Brisbane playing New Zealand, matching the likes of Shane Webcke against Richard Villasanti.
In what has been the fairest opening to a premiership for years, 10 of the 15 teams will appear on free-to-air television.
The teams on air include all eight finalists plus Parramatta and St George Illawarra.
Last year only seven of the 15 teams made it onto television in the first five weeks.
North Queensland are also expected to break through for a free-to-air appearance midway through the season, when State of Origin is on.
The Cowboys' only previous appearance on free-to-air was in their very first game in 1995, but Nine insiders have confirmed speculation that if the Cowboys can maintain last year's form then a second appearance is close.
As part of the opening boom to the season, two double headers will be staged. First, when Wests Tigers-Cronulla and the Bulldogs-Parramatta play at Telstra Stadium in round one.
The second is on the Easter weekend of round five when Wests play the Dragons and the Bulldogs take on Manly, again at Telstra Stadium.
Penrith's grand final replay with the Roosters is the Friday night game of round four.
Nine's league coverage starts with the World Sevens on January 24 and 25.
The Daily Telegraph
By Paul Kent
December 20, 2003
Fox Sports
PREMIERS Penrith will appear on free-to-air television for the first five weeks of next year's NRL premiership.
Panthers chief executive Shane Richardson believes it is a reward for not only the success of last season but also the style the Panthers play.
"I think we had one Channel 9 game in 2002 and even last year we hardly went on TV early, even when we were doing well," Richardson said. "When we did the ratings were sensational. We like to think we're everybody's second team.
"It also goes down to the style we're playing. We're scoring lots of points and we might not be the best defensive team in the competition but we managed to win it anyway."
The NRL yesterday released its schedule for its first five weeks, which will kick off with the Panthers playing Newcastle on Friday night. The Sunday game is Brisbane playing New Zealand, matching the likes of Shane Webcke against Richard Villasanti.
In what has been the fairest opening to a premiership for years, 10 of the 15 teams will appear on free-to-air television.
The teams on air include all eight finalists plus Parramatta and St George Illawarra.
Last year only seven of the 15 teams made it onto television in the first five weeks.
North Queensland are also expected to break through for a free-to-air appearance midway through the season, when State of Origin is on.
The Cowboys' only previous appearance on free-to-air was in their very first game in 1995, but Nine insiders have confirmed speculation that if the Cowboys can maintain last year's form then a second appearance is close.
As part of the opening boom to the season, two double headers will be staged. First, when Wests Tigers-Cronulla and the Bulldogs-Parramatta play at Telstra Stadium in round one.
The second is on the Easter weekend of round five when Wests play the Dragons and the Bulldogs take on Manly, again at Telstra Stadium.
Penrith's grand final replay with the Roosters is the Friday night game of round four.
Nine's league coverage starts with the World Sevens on January 24 and 25.
The Daily Telegraph
:mrgreen: 
