Storm fury at Nine

[El Diablo]

Sounds like one big conspiracy. I like conspiracies . So you guys are saying that the deal stipulates that Channel Nine show the games before midnight. Does that mean the entire game shown before midnight, or the broadcast started before midnight?

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/fox-sports-gives-afl-a-mark/2007/05/18/1178995418201.html

However, Nine's telecast of last night's St George Illawarra versus Titans match was due to begin at 1.10am, following the movie Election, a flick about a girl bribing classmates with muffins to be elected school captain. The after-midnight start is in breach of the existing NRL contract, which says Nine must televise games in Melbourne before midnight.

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=1&ssec=1&pg=1746

Storm delayed reaction
Monday, April 14, 2008
Source: mX (Melbourne)

Melbourne Storm has urged the NRL to take Channel 9 to task, alleging the rugby league broadcaster has breached its agreement twice by failing to show Storm games in Melbourne before midnight.

Last Friday week's clash with the Brisbane Broncos didn't air until 12.15am and last Friday's night's grand final re-match against Manly was scheduled to be aired at 12.10am on Melbourne screens.

An NRL spokesman confirmed to mX that although there were provisions for the game to be aired after 12pm if shows ran late. Nine is obliged to schedule matches before midnight.

Waldron said it was a clear breach of the agreement and if the league cared about spreading the NRL gospel in Melbourne, it was bound to hold Channel 9 accountable.

"I've spoken to the NRL and they are well and truly aware of this situation and as the people responsible for looking after the future of the game I would hope they did act," Waldron told mX.

"I'm disappointed, really disappointed, after all the inroads we have made for the game down here that we can't get appropriate coverage.

"But it's not for us to do anything, it is the NRL's deal so our hands are tied. But they really should do everything in their power to make sure the deal is upheld."

Waldron said he had made NRL boss David Gallop aware of his concerns as early as last year.

Nine was investigating the situation last Friday and would not comment on whether the broadcast agreement had been breached.

 

[Ice777]

But even starting just before midnight is not really ideal, is it? Not many people stay up that late to watch sports, even at the weekend.

That's exactly my point. It's nowhere near good enough and it's just one of the many things that need to be fixed come next rights deal.

Why cant Fox show the games live into Melbourne ( and for that matter Adelaide and Perth as well??)...

Because from what i can gather channel 9 won't let them show it which is bullsh*t. While i know not everyone has Foxtel at least those of us who do would be able to see the games live.

It's much better a percentage of people watching it love than no people at all. Even the people that don't have it they at least have the opportunity to go to a friends house or a pub to see the game.

 

[Nerd]

and while we are at it, lets get rid of all the non nsw teams. goodbye brisbane, gold coast, cowboys, warriors, raiders. heck, lets get rid of the non sydney teams such as newcastle too. stgeorge illawarra is half non sydney so they have to go, and penrith is too far from the cbd. lets bring back newtown, glebe, annadale, university and make sure rugby league is only ever played in sydney city forever.

melbourne have had excellent tv figures recently, growing crowds and getting a brand new stadium to play out of. they will be here forever, get used to it. our game is growing, not shrinking!

My thoughts exactly!

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Hmm so it seems game coverage must START before midnight. That may mean 11.55 pm. Do you guys think that is good enough, even if it`s adhered to? I think it`s nowhere near good enough. Would the NRL rate so bad in Melbourne that Channel 9 is not willing to show games at decent time slots?

And why is Fox not allowed to air those two games live? How would that hurt anybody?

Over here Sky Sports shows every game live (or delayed when two games start at the same time). On Sunday afternoon, two games are shown live simultaneously, on two different Sky Sport channels.

And Warriors games are also shown delayed on Free to air tv.

Edit: Some of these have just been answered by Ice777, simultaneous post..

 

[c_eagle]

So are you saying that 9 are breaching their contract? With the NRL? Holy crap! We know how strong handed the NRL are about such things. I'm waiting for the court battle to ensue.

Seriously though, the NRL probably don't even care.

 

[El Diablo]

and you can bet 9 do this to please the AFL. before 9 decide anything i wouldn't be surprised if they're on the phone to Demetriou asking if he minds if they show the game early

 

[camsmith]

It's a perfect example of why big time rugby league in melbourne is a waste of time and money.

Look at the way the storm are going and yet there's still bugger all interest in Melbourne, they've only just managed to get reasonable crowds at their home ground this year.

That team should be on the central coast.

It's not our doing. It's the NRL and Ch.9.

Why cant Fox show the games live into Melbourne ( and for that matter Adelaide and Perth as well??)...

Exactly, the Northern states get AFL live on foxtel on Friday nights.. Southern states should get NRL live on foxtel.

Obviously the AFL knows how important coverage into those growing states is, but the NRL is clueless.

They showed the Melbourne - minus our origin players vs Parra game live on Sunday and IIRC it got pretty good ratings.

 

[El Diablo]

They showed the Melbourne - minus our origin players vs Parra game live on Sunday and IIRC it got pretty good ratings.

it rated poorly. only got 73,000 http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showpost.php?p=4338855&postcount=4344

 

[BuffaloRules]

I've heard that Foxtel also shows the Swans games live against FTA in Sydney... tell me how the f**k they are allowed to do that, but they aren't allowed to show NRL games into Melbourne/ Adelaide/ Perth which are shown after midnight - if at all??

If that is in the NRL contract with Channel 9, then seriously how weak are the NRL,and what chance does it have of ever getting an audience down there??

 

[paulyt]

Sounds like one big conspiracy. I like conspiracies . So you guys are saying that the deal stipulates that Channel Nine show the games before midnight. Does that mean the entire game shown before midnight, or the broadcast started before midnight?

And if Channel 9 is indeed avoiding to conform to the deal, then how can they get away with it? Is there no other FTA channel in Melbourne that would be willing and able to pay for the rights?

The start has to be before midnight so technically 9 is breaking the contract. They have the same thing in the AFL which is why 7 show non-Swans games on Sunday at 11:59pm, technically they aren't breaking the rules.

 

[Dan70]

The whole 'news limited' conspiracy is looking shot to peices now isn't it?

Shame on you channel 9!! (Thank god I live in Queensland!!)

 

[Eels Dude]

If they show Origin live into Melbourne... Then they should be showing a game such as this. I don't care if it rates well or not, the support rugby league and the NRL has given to channel 9 over the years should be worthy of a live telecast for a such a game.

They complain about poor ratings in Melbourne, but if they show Storm games every week at a reasonable time, and promote them, then people may start watching, start supporting and all of a sudden Melbourne's interest in the game will pick up heavily. And surely this is a heavy advantage for Channel 9.

Everyone I know who lives in Melbourne, doesn't even understand the point of rugby league. The questions they ask are out there.

"So they get a goal when they put the ball over the line... why do they get a kick after that. What's that called?"

"When they're tackled, why do they stop, can't they get up and run again?"

The only way Melbourne people are going to understand rugby league and support it, is by Nine promoting games such as these.

 

[TeZbIaN]

it rated poorly. only got 73,000 http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showpost.php?p=4338855&postcount=4344

Maybe if channel 9 advertised it, it would of rated better. I had no idea that game was on live, and suprised it got 73k to be honest.

F*ck I hate channel 9, like you keep saying, they do more to promote that poor excuse of a sport - AFL, over NRL. Pathetic!

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Yeah but unfortunately Nine (or any other FTA) doesn`t give a crap about anything but ratings and advertizing revenue. The NRL must make better deals and demand that broadcasts be shown at reasonable times. Otherwise there`s no point in preventing Fox from showing these two extra games live.

 

[Ice777]

I don't care if it rates well or not, the support rugby league and the NRL has given to channel 9 over the years should be worthy of a live telecast for a such a game.

Exactly right. The AFL knew very well that they'd have trouble getting any decent ratings in the northern states, but even so they put strict stipulations into their tv rights contract and pretty much said if you don't want to abide by them then we'll give it to a station that does.

Many people around here bag sh*t out of the AFL for the poor ratings they get in Sydney and Brisbane yet bitch and moan (and rightly so) when the NRL don't do the same down here and show the game. For all the faults the AFL have they can't be faulted in the way they're trying to grow the game regardless of taking these ratings hits they do up there. I'm sure if the NRL did exactly the same thing down here they'd be applauded for it.

All the NRL have to do come next tv rights is tell whoever wants to bid is that they have to show it at a decent hour in Melbourne and if they don't want to they'll give it to someone who will. It's really not that hard.

 

[Eels Dude]

and you can bet 9 do this to please the AFL. before 9 decide anything i wouldn't be surprised if they're on the phone to Demetriou asking if he minds if they show the game early

Why would they give a s**t about AFL and Demetriou? They don't even cover it. Rugby League is Nine's winter sport and they should be doing their best to get their foot in the door.

It's no surprise they've slid behind Channel 7 in ratings for the first time in 20 years if that's how they make decisions.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Because all of the Channel 9 muppets in Melbourne are still AFL fans and would do anything to spite Rugby League...

 

[El Diablo]

Why would they give a s**t about AFL and Demetriou? They don't even cover it. Rugby League is Nine's winter sport and they should be doing their best to get their foot in the door.

why do 9 show the AFL Footy Show on 9HD @ 9:30pm in Sydney and Brisbane yet fail to show the NRL Footy Show in AFL states on the same channel?

Why do Channel 9 have a AFL show called Footy Classifieds and no NRL version?

This is also shown on 9HD in Sydney and Brisbane on Mondays @ 11pm

did you not sse the bias towards AFL in their 60 Minutes story earlier this year?

you're kidding yourself if you don't think 9 do anything and everything to please the AFL whilst not giving a sh*t about League

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

why do 9 show the AFL Footy Show on 9HD @ 9:30pm in Sydney and Brisbane yet fail to show the NRL Footy Show in AFL states on the same channel?

I have never seen the AFL Footy show, but I`m not surprised the NRL Footy Show is not a broadcaster`s dream. It`s disorganized, very unprofessional and too much clowning involved. And the Chief sings!!! AAAAAAAAAArrrrghhhhhh. That`s far from gold.

 

[El Diablo]

I have never seen the AFL Footy show, but I`m not surprised the NRL Footy Show is not a broadcaster`s dream. It`s disorganized, very unprofessional and too much clowning involved. And the Chief sings!!! AAAAAAAAAArrrrghhhhhh. That`s far from gold.

there's no denying the NRL Footy Show sucks but that s no excuse for 9 not showing it on 9HD in AFL states as ratings are not conducted on HD channels