On the topic of radio coverage (I posted this in the tv rights thread as well), given the way the results have panned out this week regarding the TV rights, I don't know why but I have a very bad hunch that 2GB will get the "exclusive" rights again. I really do hope I am proven wrong regarding the "exclusivity" component.
I agree with the sentiments expressed on here that it is not about the money (as the radio doesn't generate anywhere near the amount the tv rights do, although there is potential to significantly grow the $ from it as is seen in the AFL radio rights), but about increasing the exposure to the majority of people who don't have Foxtel (which is about 2/3rds of Australian households). It just shows how pathetic it is that 2GB have started covering the Sat 7:30pm game this year, just like Ch9 started showing games on GEM to Victoria/South Australia/Western Australia.
You can take the piss out of 2SM all you want for being such an amateur station (mainly attributed to the tightarse Bill Carsalis, as Lawsy has found out during his tenure there), but incidents such as the barring of them hosting that NSW Origin function at La Perouse last year because 2GB/Hadley et al. had a hissy fit over an event that they themselves wouldn't have given a stuff about (hypocrisy, ay?) should NEVER, EVER be allowed to happen from next year. I applaud 2SM, who don't have the rights, for trying to do something that promotes the game rather than using the game as a means of promoting their own personalities and vested interests like the CCT on 2GB does. I genuinely do feel for Graeme Hughes when you consider that Ch9, who don't have the AFL rights, still manage to get exclusive access to the top players and coaches on their Footy Show and the AFL Grand Final breakfast, which is held just hours before Ch7 (or 10 in the past) commenced their Grand Final coverage
As Mr Saab said, if the ARLC stuff THIS up, they are no better than the previous administration.
