Wheelsy's World

[Buzz]

Found this opinion piece from League Unlimited, written by Matt Coleman:

Last Sunday saw the official celebration of the Melbourne Storm's tenth anniversary, and the naming of their Team of the Decade. However, Victorian fans of the club were unable to see the match at the same time as New South Wales viewers, instead being treated to a no-doubt enthralling episode of the Gilmore Girls.

This latest slap in the face to Melbourne rugby league fans comes just a week after they were unable to watch the crucial second State of Origin match live. Channel 9 instead elected to broadcast the EJ Whitten Legends AFL game — a light-hearted kick around involving out-of-shape former players and C-grade celebrities (at best).

During the telecast, Ray Warren made mention of the fact that the game was being broadcast live across the world, to nations such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, England, and the United States. Yet in the city which houses arguably the best side in the competition, there is no live coverage.

Regardless of New South Wales and Queensland residents' opinion of Australian Rules, the AFL has done everything in their power to promote the game to these traditional Rugby League markets. Throughout the summer, viewers were bombarded with ads promoting the first round rematch between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles.

The Swans have eleven games in 2007 on a Saturday night, all of which are broadcast live into Sydney on Channel 10 — which tend to result in minimal ratings for the network. Ten's AFL broadcast averages slightly more than 100,000 viewers, and often finishes last in all free-to-air markets (even behind the SBS combination of Iron Chef and Rockwiz). However, the AFL is adamant that Sydney and Brisbane matches are shown on free-to-air television, regardless of the consequences to Channel 10.

The AFL also has an unlikely ally in Channel 9 — yes, the same network that no longer has the rights to AFL matches, and therefore, any reason to focus on the sport. However, the pro-AFL agenda of the network is mystifying. Channel 9 still promotes the game through three different programmes — 'Footy Classified' on Monday, 'The Footy Show' on Thursday, and 'The Sunday Footy Show' on Sunday. Why would the network try to increase interest in a program that its competitors broadcast? Surely, it would be in Channel 9's best interest to support the sport that it pays a fair sum of money to for the broadcast rights?

While it would be easy to just blame Channel 9 for this situation, the fact is that they are abiding by the terms of the TV contract, which was agreed to by the NRL. Surely, if the NRL had any real interest in promoting the game south of the border, they would have ensured that it was shown to as many people as possible?

The AFL in Victoria is perhaps at its weakest point in recent history. Many Victorians bemoan the dominance of the interstate clubs, and the fact that a local side has not won the competition since 2000. There has been constant relocation talk about two of the clubs, the Kangaroos and Hawthorn to areas out of Victoria to survive. The NRL should capitalise on this opportunity and try to strike while the game is weak. Melbourne Storm games should feature every week on free-to-air, even if the whole structure of the competition is arranged around a live Storm game every Saturday night.

Unfortunately, there will be no foreseeable change until the NRL rights are up for re-negotiation at the end of the 2011 season. Although there have been threats by David Gallop to Channel 9 to lift their game, like many of threats made by the NRL, they are idle. The NRL should make it an absolute priority to broadcast Storm games live to Melbournians every week.

The Melbourne Storm, despite the factors conspiring against them, have been successful for such a young club. They have had their fair share of on-field success, and have developed a loyal supporter group. The fans Rugby League in Melbourne deserve better than the second-rate treatment they currently receive by both the NRL and Channel 9.

[Hailstorm]

Great article!! I tend to agree with the article, whilst ch 9 is the FTA broadcaster a lot of the blame must fall on the NRL who FAILED to look after Melbourne (and Victorian) fans in the last round of negotiations. 

The thing is, what can WE seriously do about it?

[glynny]

Great article!! I tend to agree with the article, whilst ch 9 is the FTA broadcaster a lot of the blame must fall on the NRL who FAILED to look after Melbourne (and Victorian) fans in the last round of negotiations. 

The thing is, what can WE seriously do about it?

Couldn't have said it better myself all we can do is keep politely inquiring to channel 9 in the hope that the coverage will improve down here.

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

There are far more AFL analytical shows also.

Is Rugby League destined to always have meat heads like the NRL footy show as our only mainstream media choices?

[Hailstorm]

There are far more AFL analytical shows also.

Is Rugby League destined to always have meat heads like the NRL footy show as our only mainstream media choices?

er... except the NRL footy show is so much better than the AFL footy show...

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

There are far more AFL analytical shows also.

Is Rugby League destined to always have meat heads like the NRL footy show as our only mainstream media choices?

er... except the NRL footy show is so much better than the AFL footy show...

yea.... thats why I refuse to watch those fools.

[perthstormer]

do they have any anylitical shows on fox or nine in nsw?

[lotti]

yeah the NRL footy show, NRL on Fox.

[Surandy]

do they have any anylitical shows on fox or nine in nsw?

Fox Sports has NRL Teams on Tuesday night at 7pm, NRL on Fox on Wednesday at 7:30pm and Nein Sydney/Brisbane has the Sunday Footy Show and the Sunday Roast.

[bnz]

im just really excited that in two weeks i move to albury where they show both friday night games back to back, with the better of the two being shown live as well as the sunday afternoon game live.

[TC]

There are far more AFL analytical shows also.

Is Rugby League destined to always have meat heads like the NRL footy show as our only mainstream media choices?

The Sunday Footy Show is actually much better....pity they don't show it in Victoria.

[steaming stormer]

The thursday night show is meant as entertainment though, and personally I love it.  It is basically a variety show using NRL names.  Serves it's purpose, and having seen the sunday version, it is the more serious show where the footy is discussed