It’s deja vu yet again from the wonderful people at Channel 9 who have given the rugby league public the middle finger with their coverage of the game.
Usually it’s the coverage of the game in southern and western states, and fans are used to that by now. But there was a time, not long ago, where fans of the game, including myself, thought they had changed their ways somewhat when they purchased the rights to show the English Super League and the finals of the Challenge Cup.
Until a few years ago, Fox Sports had the broadcast rights to the Super League and the Challenge Cup finals, and did a great job.
They showed the two weekend Super League games on a Thursday night from 6.30pm. They would also show the Super League final live, with pre and post match interviews and analysis, and the BBC’s live feed of the Challenge Cup semi’s and final match.
Then Channel 9 buys the rights, which did raise the eyebrows of Australian-based fans of the English game, but like many, I thought, why would they buy it if they weren’t going to show it at better times?
They started with having one game before the 4pm game on a Sunday afternoon and the other at the early hours of Monday morning.
The Sunday afternoon coverage didn’t last long, and of course, like our friends outside of NSW and QLD, the English game was shafted to the early hours of the morning twice a week.
The Challenge Cup Final, until this year, was shown live. Unlike Fox Sports, they can have a expert panel of Peter Sterling or Andrew Voss joined by Phil Gould. But, of course, Gus is just there to badmouth the English game and call it a Mickey Mouse competition.
This weekend, the Leeds Rhinos will face last year’s champs the Warrington Wolves in what could be the biggest crowd at the new Wembley, surpassing the 84 000 that attended its re-opening in 2007.
But Channel 9 once again aren’t showing the game live. It’s instead being shown at 12.30am on Monday morning.
The utter contempt that Channel 9 shows the game outside of NSW and QLD is bad enough. But to buy the rights for the English game and treat it like this should surely get the powers to be at the NRL pushing hard, whether its Channel 9 or the other free to air broadcasters, to get a much better coverage deal.
Paul Cheetham
Guest
Hi Are you aware whether Channel 9 Brisbane is to show the 2012 Super League games
DERBY COUNTY FC
Guest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ndloxnf_zc&feature=fvst This is what pride, tradition and atmosphere are all about, amazing. Enjoy EVERYONE, enjoy.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I thought thats what GO was going to be for, as much as I love Seinfeld, could easily on a Tuesday night have the ESL from 7-10pm
William
Guest
I'd like to see one get the rights to the esl, at least then we'd have it on at a good time and still free to air. Esl is on too late.
hutch
Roar Guru
ive been to big rugby league games both here and in the uk and i can tell you oikee we dont even come close to replicating the noise and atmosphere that they do up north. 30000 fans singing the same song at the top of their voices is an unbelievable experience.
hutch
Roar Guru
i stopped reading at the other world game. pull the other one jackson!
Jeff
Guest
Poor thing. let's chip in for fees to treat her depression. comes through having only one eye maybe.
Derby County FC
Guest
Don't be silly son.
Ian
Guest
Having been to a Wembley final myself in 1989 (Wigan v St Helens), I can personally attest to the fantastic atmosphere and experience. As a spectator, nothing has come close since. Mitch, you mention in your article "like our friends outside of NSW and QLD, the English game was shafted to the early hours of the morning twice a week.". Unfortunately its worse than that. Channel Nine do not show any UK League at all here in Victoria. While you get to watch the Challenge Cup final we have the priviledge of Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles on a 9.5 hr delay. Have been waiting on proposed changes to the anti siphoning legislation which is/was supposed to put an end to the days of hoarding, however given the election stalemate, this is looking less likely. With Football finals to start in a couple of weeks someone needs to crack heads at Channel Nine in Melbourne.
MVDave
Guest
"Unlike Soccer fans, the Rugby League community are well behaved and a lot of light hearted banter is evident for the full weekend!n" Over 35 million 'Soccer' fans paid to watch football in England last season. Given those massive numbers the poorly behaved are a tiny minority and 99% of matches are played without trouble but hey dont let that stop you perpetuating the myth of football supporters all being troublemakers. Of course all the 1-2 million fans that watch RL each season are saints?
DERBY COUNTY FC
Guest
Ooooo hark at Knablig, she's all upset.
oikee
Guest
Have to agree with you there Nab, the origin crowd is pure passion, no gimmacks,no singing, just bloodworthy passion. The queenslander chant is priceless. Plus the tickets sellout within a hour, thats gives you a idea of what is in store for you at Suncorp. I have been to many in queensland, and it never ceases to amaze me. Having said that, i love the challenge cup atmosphere on tele. When it comes to singing, nobody does it better than a northerner at cup final. :) I watched the 2 semis, they were outstanding games. Not in the same class as the internationals between England NZ and Australia, but pretty good.
Knablig
Guest
Oh yeah, by the way - if you don't like Channel 9s coverage of Uk Sport - then I suggest you move back to Blighty and go back to all that wealth, happy people and sunshine - and of course, all that atmosphere. Ha.
Jeff
Guest
Knablig ---- You got a problem mate!. I have enjoyed league in both countries. The Pommie supporters are far more vocal than our crowds, coz they enjoy being part of the team!. Wigan even have a guernsey jumper number reserved for the fans - No 18 -- do our teams look upon supporters as that important????. Yeah you certainly do seem to have a big chip on yer shoulder , I don't know how the Broncs are going to manage their salary cap in their near future - They also have picked up reasonably good players from cheating Storm - by skirting the rules. . Bronc Players have been accused of wrong doings, steroids, not really too many dope tests. no differences to the Poms. unload the antagonism and enjoy the sport. I love both Storm and Wigan -- glad to know that both are cheats, makes me feel good.
DERBY COUNTY FC
Guest
For God's sake man, get over it. Stick to the topic.
Knablig
Guest
They are,. admittedly the exception to the rule, ironically going to Wigan (who already have a massive player roster Hmmmm?) due to the Melbourne's Storm's cheating. God help the code in England is they ever lifted the lid on the salary cap rorting that goes on over there - and you know what clubs I'm talking about...and god help the code in the UK if they ever let it be known how mnay of the players use Steroids! There would be a mssive draining of the player pool. Lots of atmosphere though.
M1tch
Roar Guru
So called myths keep the world going, the ESL isnt the grade the NRL is, but I still like watching it and the CC Final is a special event as is the SL grand final..but like myself for wrting this article we are all free to our opinions
Bill Baxter
Guest
Well said Jeff, made that weekend trip to Wembley from the North of England for many years and it was tremendous.
Bill Baxter
Guest
What Salary Cap!!!!! and Lima,Finch and Hoffman are no has been NRL journeymen.
Knablig
Guest
glad to help. Lose the myth.