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Though attention of late has been on crowd numbers for the National Rugby League, it’s my belief that there is a bigger issue facing the code. Coverage of the game needs to improve dramatically.
After continually witnessing how well other sports are covered, both here and abroad, I can’t help but feel that the NRL’s media coverage is lagging behind where it should be.
The NRL itself is doing a great job, with their app and Digital Pass bringing the competition in line with other sports. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly from the rugby league media.
It’s overdue that we have some variety in the voices covering the NRL. Is it just me, or do we only hear from the same rugby league journalists, regardless of the medium? It doesn’t seem to matter whether I’m watching TV, listening to the radio, reading the paper, or going online, there is the distinct feeling that I’m listening to the same people saying the same thing.
This is no disrespect to the fine rugby league media personalities that the game is lucky to have, but if I’ve heard your opinion in one place, I don’t really need to hear it another.
On Saturday afternoon, I tuned in to Shirvo’s Super Saturday on Fox Sports, and was pleasantly surprised to listen to Matt Shirvington, Laurie Daley and Kevvie Walters, three individuals I don’t often get to hear.
I found their opinions measured, their analysis insightful, their manner non-confrontational, and their volume controlled. The trio was professional, but not stiff. Entertaining, but not for entertainment’s sake. Talkative, but not rambling.
Daley and Walters’ State of Origin allegiances are well documented, but I never got the feeling I was listening to an agenda-filled diatribe from either. Instead, it was just great rugby league chat from people who know their stuff and can express their thoughts clearly.
It served as a reminder that there are some articulate and passionate rugby league commentators out there, in contrast to the angry, childish, arrogant, loud, repetitive, juvenile, one-eyed, idiotic, sensationalist, dumb or agenda-driven personalities we hear from all too often.
That last paragraph probably sounds harsher than I intend when discussing rugby league’s media fraternity. However, NRL coverage could surely do with an increase in professionalism and a decrease in vitriol.
I look at the coverage of AFL in Australia and think it’s the best in the country, in particular how Foxtel cover the game. I bow to no one in my admiration of shows like AFL 360, On The Couch, Open Mike and After the Bounce. Brilliant television with the perfect mix of insight, polish, analysis, opinion and entertainment.
I also think some of the print journalism out of Melbourne is terrific. I even find myself listening to SEN for the simple reason that I enjoy the quality of the conversations.
I can’t help but wish the NRL had the same world-class coverage, and there is no reason why it can’t.
To be fair, there is already some great coverage of the game, I just want more of it. Call me greedy, but I want quantity and quality. Yet all too often the focus is on slapstick humour or one person’s agenda. It’s a concern when you read a rugby league article and wonder what the writer’s ulterior motive was.
Yet perhaps I’m aiming my proverbial gun in the wrong direction. News Limited’s Richard Hinds has been a vocal critic of the lack of access to NRL players and clubs, and he’s hardly alone.
Perhaps if those who cover the NRL did indeed have greater access to the NRL’s players, clubs, coaches and officials, they would have different and more interesting angles for stories. It’s certainly worth pondering.
Channel Nine also cops flak for how they cover the game. The delayed games in particular annoy fans, and I’m certainly no different, as I hate not watching live football. However, I will defend Channel Nine to a certain point.
Channel Nine is a business making money off advertising. The network paid a large sum for the NRL free-to-air TV broadcast rights, and they need a return on that investment. Delayed coverage lets them fit more ads in.
If the NRL wanted to insist on live broadcasts of all games shown on free-to-air television, then they would have had to accept a lower amount for the broadcast rights.
Some have suggested that the NRL were more intent on matching or beating the AFL’s broadcast deal – for PR purposes – then doing what was best for the game, but whatever the truth, I struggle to blame the Nine Network for delayed games.
What I can blame Channel Nine for is not showing games in high definition. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. HD increases the viewing quality for fans at home. Why exactly would you not want to show games in the best way possible?
I’m sure Roarers will have their own gripes with the way the NRL is covered. Or perhaps they’ll even tell me I’m way out of line.
However, I’d like more variety and voices. More professionalism. More articulate commentators. Fewer agendas. Less slapstick. Fewer sensationalist stories. Better access to players and clubs. Live free-to-air games. High definition broadcasts. Just better overall coverage.
Is that too much to ask?