The end of the 2012/13 Australian Summer may have been the last of Channel 9’s 35-year broadcast of cricket in Australia.
Nine are set to broadcast the Ashes later this year but their seven-year deal with Cricket Australia to broadcast Test matches, ODIs and T20s has now expired.
Rivals Network Ten are hard at work to grab the rights.
If Channel Ten are successful with the deal, it may see the end of longtime commentators in Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and possibly Ian Chappell time in the commentary box.
The other commentators in Mark Nicolas who works with Channel 5 in England, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Michael Slater and James Brayshaw may all make the move to Channel Ten alongside recently retired Michael Hussey, Brett Lee and recent Hall of Fame inductee Glenn McGrath.
During this season, the lost of Tony Greig has really left a massive hole in the Channel 9 commentary team. With Bill Lawry only calling games in Melbourne and Richie Benaud losing his touch, it just hasn’t been the same commentary team that once was probably the best in the world.
The replacement commentators in Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, and James Brayshaw, have produced mixed results.
It will be very interesting to see the technology that Channel Ten have to offer and whether it matches what Channel Nine had.
In terms of technology, cameras and audio, Channel Nine probably had the best in the world which included the likes of hotspot, snicko, super slow motion replays, Hawkeye and virtual eye, protractor and the newly introduced nine360 cam.
It has been 35 years since Kerry Packer secured the rights for Channel 9 to broadcast international cricket in Australia.
However, with Tony Greig sadly passed, Bill Lawry and Richie Benaud nearing their end, it is time for the new generation of commentators to take over, a new network and a new era to begin.
Some of the best Channel 9 moments:
Rosco
Guest
Bill, Ritchie ian Chappell and Greigy all spoke about the cricket. Michael Slater thinks he is on a comedy audition (which he would fail) and the others go along with him. It is woeful, annoying and undignified. Slats was a great person to watch bat, but as a commentator .. 1/10.
Dean
Guest
Yes it looks like Nine will retain the international matches in Australia with Ten broadcasting the domestic BBL. Nine needs to have a drastic over haul of it's commentary team with some younger faces.
Connar Olsen
Roar Rookie
This will not be the end for Channel 9 & Cricket because on Tuesday June 4 The Announcement will occur & the New Cricket TV Rights will say that Channel Nine will continue to Screen the International Cricket (Although there will be no Tony Greig & Bill Lawry) & Channel Ten will Screen the Big Bash League.
Connar Olsen
Roar Rookie
My Channel Ten Commentary Team: Drew Morphett, Glenn McGrath, Tom Moody, Brett Lee, Ian Healy, Adam Gilchrist, Brendan Julian, Tim Lane, Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, Damien Fleming, Greg Blewett or Allan Border in the Team.
Hayden
Guest
I agree with Dean's Commentary Team expect Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, plus Greg Blewett as Host, in as a commentator. Glenn Mitchell In for Glenn McGrath and Dean Jones In for Adam Gilchrist for White Ball Cricket. Host Mark Taylor.
Dean
Guest
If 10 were to get the rights (which looks properly likely now has) as nine's hedge funds want to float the company, I would say 10's commentary team should look like this Host : Greg Blewett Commentators : Ryan Campbell, Damien Fleming, Mark Waugh, Tom Moody, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and probably Ian Healy and Mark Taylor to be taken from 9.
Hayden
Guest
Has anyone in Blog and Media Land thought about Ch 9 Purchasing Test Rights Only. Over the next 5 Australian Summers their will be 26 Tests (including 10 Ashes Tests) . Figure for Value of Tests 55 Million Dollars Figure for Value of ODI/T20I 25 Million Dollars Figure for Value of BBL 20 Million Dollars
Connar Olsen
Roar Rookie
How can James Brayshaw make the move to Ten when he Hosts the AFL Footy Show & Michael Slater the NRL Footy Show?
Connar Olsen
Guest
If Ten gets the Cricket then I would like to see Drew Morphett be the Host & face of Channel Ten's Cricket Coverage as well as Mark Taylor, Glenn McGrath, Tom Moody, Brett Lee, Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist & Brendan Julian be part of Ten's Cricket Coverage.
Dean
Guest
Now, it seems that all television coverage of cricket has 3 commentators instead of the 2 that it is used to be
Hayden
Guest
Nine Test Commentary Team Mark Nicolas, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Michael Slater, James Brayshaw, Ian Chappell and International Commentator. P.S Shane Warne as an additional Commentator when available. Nine ODI Commentary Team Mark Nicolas, Mark Taylor, Brett Lee, Michael Slater, James Brayshaw and International Commentator. Nine T20I Commentary Team Michael Slater, James Brayshaw and International Commentator Boundary Reporter Roz Kelly
debbie
Guest
I really dont care who commentates. Does it matter when we cant even watch our own country play overseas. What is disgusting is the fact that our country is overseas playing cricket and we cant watch it as it's not televised. Fine if you have FOXTEL or AUSTAR. What about those of us that only have normal tv. Maybe if another channel picks up the cricket we might get to watch our guys play. DEB
Dean
Guest
I think James Brayshaw calls the footy on Triple M better than he does the cricket.
micka
Guest
I like Brayshaw. Not sure why, but I like him.
Dean
Guest
I think you wil find that Fox Sports and Chanel 9 will do the same deal that the AFL did with Fox and 7 for obviously less money than what the AFL have got. I see Channel 9 broadcasting the test matches exclusively whilst Nine and Fox simulcasting the one day internationals and 20/20's. Fox and 9 would share the BBL rights with 9 showing the derbys and marquee matchups. Fox and 9 would show the semi finals and final in simulcas. Ten will have no hope in getting the rights due to the sacking and restructuring of staff and 7 cannot broadcast cricket and tennis at the same time.
peeeko
Roar Guru
its probably because that it is shown during non ratings season and not at prime time and is a much shorter season than the other codes
planko
Guest
The best way is to tape it and get alligned with the radio ... Kerry O Keefe should get signed by Channel 10 then I might turn it up some times.
Evan Askew
Guest
ABC wouldn't have the moolah surely. If you want a broadcaster that places an emphasis on quality broadcasts and who might have the money to bid for it then may I suggest SBS. At least there would be no promos for crappy reality tv shows. Remember the job they did for the 2005 Ashes?
Jason Cave
Guest
The problem with Channel 10 is there is still a major question mark hanging over them in terms of their finances. May I remind readers of the Roar of what happened when 10 got the rugby league rights back in 1989. People outside the 10 network couldn't believe that 10 would pay $43 million to get the league rights (which included the then Winfield Cup, State of Origin, and the 1990 Kangaroo Tour). Most people thought that 10-not the ARL-would be the big losers from the deal. They were right. By 1991, Ten went extremely close to shutting its doors forever. The ARL TV rights went to Nine and stayed there to this day. So, in other words, would Cricket Australia have a back-up plan in case Ten has major financial worries and may not be able to keep its end of the bargain until the end of ts contract with CA?
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
+1