League’s radio rights bidders deserve a very special hearing
Columnist 
Rugby league’s match broadcast radio rights are up for grabs and I have my fingers crossed the Australian Rugby League Commission is treating discussions with a wide open mind.
Rights holders 2GB and Triple M are the strong tip to retain their respective gigs, with Triple M attempting to increase its coverage to four games per week.
But there is an intriguing new horse on the scene – a tandem effort proposed by 2UE and 2SM – which has the potential to bring the code to thousands of extra listeners with their far-reaching networks.
I understand the 2UE-2SM bid would involve callers Andrew Voss and Graeme Hughes and their pledge is to provide a more serious league coverage, as a change from GB’s Continuous Call, which often borders on vaudeville.
On this site in August, I expressed my personal disappointment that the ARLC missed the opportunity to inject a breath of fresh air when it stuck by Channel 9 and Fox Sports for its billion dollar TV deal. Channels Ten and Seven launched a serious bid to secure the TV rights but the Commission palmed it off.
I see the radio rights issue as something similar, a terrific chance for a new broom to sweep through and freshen up the way rugby league is presented to its non-TV audience.
Again speaking personally, I have grown weary of Ray Hadley and his team talking about anything but league on their weekend shows. Their ‘alternative’ coverage might be a good rater, but if I want to know what’s happening in the game, or hear some proper discussion on its many issues, I tune in to David Morrow and Co on the ABC.
Not many in-jokes or advertorials there, and certainly no boring, repetitive ditties about Mama’s got her boobs out again, or the tiresome Fui Fui Moi Moi song.
I would like to hear what UE and SM come up with as a double-barrelled coverage, if only for the reason that we might get to hear something a little different at any hour, or in any game. Same old, same old does not work for me.
Voss and Hughes are accomplished league callers and I am sure their respective networks would build a strong back-up team and ultimately provide a striking new radio presentation for league-starved listeners.
If the ARLC isn’t keen on dumping the long-time broadcaster 2GB, I also see no problem in cutting a deal to allow Triple M as well as 2UE-2SM to cover the NRL premiership and representative games along with 2GB.
A ‘more the merrier’ approach could be of enormous benefit for all parties concerned.
If the Commission turns its back on these latest radio bidders, who could blame them if they used their sports resources to cover AFL or the A-League as an alternative?
- Explore:
- Australian Rugby League Commission, NRL, Rugby League
October 16th 2012 @ 3:31am
Johnno said | October 16th 2012 @ 3:31am | Report comment
I ask myself in the year 2012, who listens to Bolts Hadley and the continous call team. Daryl Brohman is funny and in many ways made the show. That’s why they didn’t sack him with the Fulton feud on air, as the Big Marn brought in the ratings , i sued to love listing to the big marn. But I have grown so tired of the continuos call team, they are trapped in the 1980′s and 90′s not the new millennium and certainly not in 2012. And throw int he forty show and fatty and the boys.
Need a fresh image and fresh personalities eg Ben Ikin . Not hearing how the big marn is ticklish, or jokes like how Fatty thought Ben Ikin in the lift was asking for an autograph when he had been picked for orging in fatty’s team, so 1990′ish .
Or Ray Hadley talking about his favourite country and western songs. So I ask myself who in 2012 is listening to the continous call tema , would love to know the age group viewership. Is is just baby boomers certainlty not Generation XERS,o or YERS, or ZEDERS like myself that i belong too these 3 groups. Then I ask myself who. I also can’t imagine multicultural audiences begin able to relate to the conintious call team either or the tree huggers, or the Latte set, or metro sexuals, or the new age retro set at Glebe ,Newtown “go the jets”, or Balmain.
Or even the white shoe Brigade up in QLD i reckon are bored of the continous call team. So would love to know watt age group are there demographics and viewership and what group or style group they belong too, i feel like a sociologist or out of awnsers.
I almost find it pseudo reality tv big brother style it is so artifical and tacky and silly, and a bit boganish and not very intellectual just like the footy show .
October 16th 2012 @ 12:39pm
TK said | October 16th 2012 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
I listen to the CCT and find them very funny, but I am growing weary of the Ray Hadley worship society that is emerging around it. It’s a bit sick really. Leave it to the Summer Show; the jokes make more sense then and the Big Marn and Blocker are good together. The ABC is the best call for mine but I think if Andrew Moore got away from Hadley etc he would blossom.
October 16th 2012 @ 5:13pm
yewonk said | October 16th 2012 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
tk they talk very little about rugby league during there show when their contract actually requires them have a certain amount each week
October 17th 2012 @ 12:23pm
Red Rooster said | October 17th 2012 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
The ABC have the best team. Warren Ryan has the best football brain in the whole media.
October 16th 2012 @ 7:53am
Stanley Bridge said | October 16th 2012 @ 7:53am | Report comment
Voss is as bad as the rest. He is a Gould sycophant with an ego the size of Brisbane. All I want is to hear the game. Not “in” jokes and poor attempts at humorous banter between commentators.
October 16th 2012 @ 1:07pm
AGO74 said | October 16th 2012 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Agree with your comment on Vossy’s ego, but as an actual commentator (on tv at least) he leaves Hadley for dead.
October 16th 2012 @ 7:55am
Robert said | October 16th 2012 @ 7:55am | Report comment
The whole calling of league,except the ABC,needs a shake up.but adding voss to the radio is not the answer.he is likely to be the same as the 2GB commentary,amateur comedians.just listen to his call of the QLD CUP this season,he treated it like a stand up comedy routine,minus the humour
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October 16th 2012 @ 8:24am
PGNEWC said | October 16th 2012 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Tim what is your take on Channel Nines Dire Financial Problems as per the SMH this morning –owing 3-4 billion dollars to Creditors—— How will this effect The 1 billion dollar NRL TV Deal?
October 16th 2012 @ 9:22am
Tim Prentice said | October 16th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
PG, it’s safe to say there would be nervous twitches at League HQ. When banks start circling and receivers are alerted, what major business partner would not be deeply concerned?
I have heard, however, that no matter what happens, League will get its promised cash input.
The way the deal was structured means the code is insulated against such a financial wipeout.
Of course, things can change but for the time being, I believe the RL deal is as solid as it can be.
On the other hand, Nine’s long-time cricket partnership might be in a bit of strife.
I cannot see how the network can compete with its rivals for the broadcast rights when there is hardly any cash flow.
October 16th 2012 @ 11:56am
steve b said | October 16th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Geez Tim after listening to the midday news about the nine network , i would hope your sources are right and the money is already in the NRL Coffers , because what their saying dosen’t sound to good unless all creditors can come to an amicable agreement , the s–t is going to hit the fan ….
October 16th 2012 @ 12:48pm
Nostradamus said | October 16th 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Theres no way they can guarantee the future money thats why the NRL demanded $80m upfront – if there are new owners they are not necessarily bound to previous agreements but they might have the whip hand in any new agreement…
October 16th 2012 @ 4:13pm
Jason Cave said | October 16th 2012 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
Tim,
Do you think Channel 9 made a major mistake in bidding and then getting the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and the 2012 London Olympic Games, if they had known about the financial troubles Nine would be facing at the moment?
October 16th 2012 @ 5:15pm
Tim Prentice said | October 16th 2012 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
Nine desperately needs big sport to stay afloat.
That is why they targetted the London Games, Vancouver and the League.
Advertising dollars generated from these ‘majors’ is critical to their future.
Bidding for these events was imperative to get some big bucks in the kitty. Will the dollars arrive in time and in enough numbers? Time will provide the answer.
October 16th 2012 @ 9:11am
George said | October 16th 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Well said. the rights need to move on and get some fresh blood in the show.
Im so sick and tired of listening to Hadley and co and the same bozo’s who are probably paid actors pretending to be listeners calling in to the show.. Please for the love of the game, shift the coverage to something different on the radio.
October 16th 2012 @ 9:39am
The High Shot said | October 16th 2012 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Could not agree more. The boorish, bored and boring “commentary” that league chooses to represent itself with actually harms it as a product. One day, perhaps in my lifetime, league will begin to start taking itself seriously.
October 16th 2012 @ 10:40am
Steggz said | October 16th 2012 @ 10:40am | Report comment
You’re telling me people actually listen to the 2GB commentary? Wow, wonders will never cease!
Triple M isn’t the answer either. Ginnane is a shocking commentator, and it’s only just less jokey than 2GB. ABC should never have been locked out of Monday night games in metro areas.
October 16th 2012 @ 11:36am
Lynn said | October 16th 2012 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Excellent article Tim. I happen to think the 2GB coverage is a blight on the game. The Continuous Call has never rated well on Brisbane and the only reason it rates well in Sydney is because they attempt to attract non-league followers who couldn’t care less about the game. A station like 2GB do not need the rights and if they really want to call a game then they should be allowed to do so from a tv monitor in the studio. It’s what they do most of the time anyway. Leave the real rugby league calling to the network that will produce a professional wide-ranging coverage. 2GB cannot guarantee decent enough regional coverage. The 2UE-2SM bid can.
October 16th 2012 @ 11:49am
Tony said | October 16th 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
I have read many,many a “Roar” article, but have never so strongly felt the need to post a comment as now. I am so over the juvenile ‘fart’ type jokes of the idiots that make up much of the NRL commentary teams and shows. Please, please, please give more jobs to the likes of Graeme Hughes and Ben Ikin, and others like them. Graeme Hughes is outstanding on his program “Talkin Sport”, myself and my sons listen to it solely for the NRL and cricket coverage it offers. The ABC do a fairly good job, Warren Ryans insights on Rugby League are masterful. Also on the ABC, Warren Boland does a great job. I have tried listening to the 2GB call team but quickly tire of the stupidity and find myself either on the radio or the internet radio searching for alternative NRL coverage. The time has well and truly come to move the idiots to the periphery and it starts with offering viable alternatives.
October 16th 2012 @ 1:11pm
AGO74 said | October 16th 2012 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Well said Tony. With the exceptions of a few (Sterlo always and Gould but only when he is analysing and not soapboxing) you could apply a lot of this to Channel 9 as well….
October 16th 2012 @ 2:54pm
Mals said | October 16th 2012 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Graeme Hughes does a fine job if you want someone continually patting Canterbury Bankstown on the back.
October 16th 2012 @ 3:01pm
Dogs Of War said | October 16th 2012 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
The Hughes clan hasn’t got a lot of love for the Bulldogs these days since the 2004 season when Garry Hughes got sacked.
Graeme actually tried to sue the Bulldogs, as well he missed a seat on the Bulldogs board and claimed it was a conspiracy!
EDIT: Good link into the history of Hughes clan vs the Bulldogs
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hughes-family-divorces-bulldogs-20091123-ixl3.html
October 16th 2012 @ 11:56am
oikee said | October 16th 2012 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Rugby league is the most ‘exciting’ yet dull and boring ‘calling’ any code could wish to suffer. Won’t matter soon, channel 9 will let rugby league down once again when they go kaput, bankrupt.
They had the best new talent the world had ever heard and let him go, Jason Costigan, so what we have got is the same borrish commentators as we had 20 odd years ago.
Talk about not updating, as the world moves on, ruugby league once again stands still.
R.I.P. ruggy league, nobody can help you now. Turn the lights out across the ditch when your finished.