The Matty Johns Show: Thursdays @ 7.30pm on 7

[El Diablo]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ght-to-keep-star/story-e6frexnr-1225795326096

Nine faces fight to keep star

* By Barry Toohey
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* November 08, 2009 12:01AM


FIRST Matthew Johns walked out on Channel Nine.

Now the network may be faced with a fight to keep his brother, Andrew, with his contract set to expire next month.

Matthew's revelation on Friday that he has turned his back on Nine to start up a production company alongside John Singleton has thrown the spotlight firmly on Andrew.

Could Channel Seven be about to make a play for Andrew as the network quietly builds a war chest to make a play for the NRL television rights in 2012?

There was speculation that one of Matthew Johns' first television projects could be a Footy Show-style program to rival Nine's and be hosted by Johns and 2GB's Ray Hadley next season.

Add Andrew to that mix and Seven would have a powerful platform from which it could lay the groundwork for a full-scale tilt at the NRL rights.

Andrew Johns yesterday said he is enjoying his work at Nine and wasn't even aware his contract is about to expire. "Nine has been really good to me and I'm enjoying what I'm doing there,'' he said.

"They stood by me during some pretty tough times, but you'd have to talk to Fordo (manager John Fordham) about contract stuff. I wouldn't have a clue when it's up, to be honest.''

Asked if he had spoken to his brother about his new project, Johns said: "I knew he'd been talking to Singo, but that's about all.''

Fordham confirmed yesterday that Johns' two-year deal with Nine runs out in December and said preliminary talks about a new contract had already taken place.

He refused to speculate about the possibility of Johns joining forces with his brother or whether there had been interest from rival networks. "Given what has happened with Matthew, it's fair to say things may move a bit more quickly now with Andrew,'' Fordham said.

"I'm hoping to meet with Nine for further discussions within the next week. Anything else, though, at this stage is just pure speculation.''

Sources at Seven say there has been no move to entice Johns to jump ship. "But the goalposts can move quickly in this industry - particularly in light of the decision by Matty Johns,'' a source said. It's too early to know where that is going. I suppose anything is possible.''

In Nine's favour is the fact the network holds the NRL rights for the next two years.

Outside a specialised league program, Seven would only be able to offer Johns a rugby commentary role until the league rights come up for sale.

 

[adamkungl]

considering what 9 did to Matt, I hope Andrew jumps ship. knife the pricks.

 

[El Diablo]

would be like rats deserting a sinking ship

9 have gone down big time since Kerry Packer died. he'd be turning in his grave

 

[nqcowboy87]

was matty sacked having his papers stamped never to come back, i thought they let him go to work out his affairs and i couldnt see them doing anything else, also the grimshaw interview i think was his choice, so i may not understand or know as much as everybody here but i really dont know how 9 dudded him

 

[Hallatia]

channel 9 has been steadily sinking since Kerry died. Exclusive might be a nine letter word, but it appears "ratings" and "viewers" are both seven letter words. That said, I think nine does a great job with the footy coverage and seven's AFL coverage is weak - so I am not sure how seven would go showing the footy. But power to Matty Johns, he is better then both The Footy Show and channel nine. As scummy as channel 7 are, they generally look after their own, where as nine generally do the opposite ...

 

[adamkungl]

sh*thouse is also a nine letter word...

Nine's coverage of league is fine....if its the NRL or Origin, and you're in NSW or QLD.
They screw over Melbourne royally, and aren't even interested in showing an international at 4 in the bloody morning unless Aus is playing

 

[Jason_(Is_our_King)_Smith]

Whoever wins the league rights, it's up to the NRL to make sure the contractis watertight regarding showing rugby league in the AFL states. This doesn't have to mean blanket coverage in the non NRL states but at the very least one match must be shown weekly at a reasonable hour ie not past 8.30. And in Victoria the Storm's matches should be shown weekly, again if not live then not past the 8.30 time slot. This is entirely within the NRL's power to achieve during the next contract negotiations.

It's almost impossible to believe it was not done whenthe last conract was negotiated. This is just one area where the administration of AFL is far superior to the NRL. Qld and NSW viewers get rules shoved down their throats, like it or not.Even though the ratings are appalling, at least the AFL is getting regular showings in enemy territory. If NRL can achieve the same, it can achieve a better ratings mpact, as it is a far better TV product than AFL.

 

[bobmar28]

I don't think the NRL gets anything out of this.

The seven network bidding for the rights is something. It will put upward pressure on the value of those rights.

 

[Kelly Patrol]

Even if 7 bidding simply means that 9 have to offer a better deal that would be a good thing.

Gallop like he did with the radio rights will most likely sell to 9 at a lower price.He's a dickhead.

 

[Canard]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ght-to-keep-star/story-e6frexnr-1225795326096

That last line is some sloppy journalism, "Outside a specialised league program, Seven would only be able to offer Johns a rugby commentary role until the league rights come up for sale. "

That wouldn't be his only league related "options" for Channel 7, he could be the Sydney Channel 7 News League reporter, he could go on Sunrise every friday to give his tips etc. etc.

Im no fan of Rah Rah, but as if he would be accepted as a commentator on there code, can you imagine the uproar, that would be like Ch9 getting Phil Kearns to go alongside Rabbits commentate on our game.

 

[El Diablo]

Webcke also works for 7.

 

[Green Machine]

was matty sacked having his papers stamped never to come back, i thought they let him go to work out his affairs and i couldnt see them doing anything else, also the grimshaw interview i think was his choice, so i may not understand or know as much as everybody here but i really dont know how 9 dudded him

I think you’re on the money. Why let the facts get in the way of a good story.
I buy the Telegraph once a week and they never fails to deliver some good humour in their Sunday agenda driven sports coverage.
“There was speculation”….. A bit a change from a close source.
Since Ray Hadley was shown the door at Channel 9, I don’t how many times I’ve read from the Telegraph that Fatty would be sacked and Hadley replace him.
I suppose the Telegraph have come to the realisation that is not going to happen. As for Andrew Johns leaving Channel 9, Andrew Johns was a great footballer, but he is pitiful as a TV presenter. Besides the Tracey Gimshaw interview (that Matt Johns agree to) I can’t see as well, what Channel 9 did to upset him.

 

[alexc]

Shane Webcke is the man. He goes well reading the sports news.

 

[LESStar58]

how could anyone treat the game worse than 9 :?

Seven are an AFL station.... I can't see their commitment to the sport changing even if they do get the NRL rights. Let them, by all means, have the State Of Origin because that's all they really want anyway. It's one of the biggest earners of sponsorship dollars on Australian TV and it's all about Stokes and his ego. As for the regular NRL season... I'd feel better if, at best, there could be some deal done where ABC or SBS can telecast Storm games into Melbourne.

 

[Loudstrat]

Loyalty.

9 showed none to Matthew Johns.

9 bought Andrew Johns loyalty to league and Newcastle.

Is blood thicker than water?

 

[El Diablo]

Seven are an AFL station.... I can't see their commitment to the sport changing even if they do get the NRL rights. Let them, by all means, have the State Of Origin because that's all they really want anyway. It's one of the biggest earners of sponsorship dollars on Australian TV and it's all about Stokes and his ego. As for the regular NRL season... I'd feel better if, at best, there could be some deal done where ABC or SBS can telecast Storm games into Melbourne.

9 are an AFL station. they have more hours dedicated to promoting AFL than Rugby League if you take out actual game times. they also used show their AFL shows into NSW and QLD on 9HD but didn't do the same for NRL shows into AFL states.

 

[DeeJ]

Matty should team up with John Saffran and go after Tracy Grimshaw.

Steal her undies!

With special guest Gordon Ramsey.

P.s. I don't think Andrew Johns is much of a loss to Channel 9, haha.

 

[Ausguy]

Hey hey hey everyone, you are all missing the point. Who gives a sh*t about matt and joey.... Ian Ross is resigning and Chris Bath is taking over weeknights on Ch7..... hell yeah!!!!

 

[El Diablo]

who cares :?

 

[Loudstrat]

Remember that awful footy show rival 7 bunged on during Super League?