Channel Nine to show live Sunday NRL

wow- this will surely revolutionise the game, well done channel 9. Where so they come up with these great ideas????? It's amazing, - what's next HD???? I will be waiting for the next game changer from channel 9 (pun intended!!!)

Tom should be back spruiking his business and giving us an insight into his tremendous rl knowledge.He apparently knows what punters want,and he knows what he wants: how to screw the money out of them. The most irritating voice and head on TV.

A live telecast as compared to a delay on Sunday.The latter ch9 can throw in ads when they please and they sure as hell do. ch 9 wants improved ratings and the fans want more live FTA.I suggest with a litte prodding from the NRL via Smith,9 has acceded.

Good work by Dave Smith wouldn't you say?

Fantastic news but at what price? Please don't tell me Tom Waterhouse is back!

My understanding is Channel 9 aren't actually doing anything? Isn't the NRL just changing the times the games are played to 4pm instead of 3?

Bout time .Sharks even get a local derby against the Dragoons sunday 4pm live.Still get a great crowd and a decent Tv audience. Ch9 has finally got the message,surely seeing a big dip in the Sunday ratings something must have twigged. Having 5 games on ANZAC spread over 5 time schedules is a great idea,recognition of 100 years of what the ANZAC code and spirit means to all of us.5 games all having the last post and recognising the historical imprtnace of the sacrifices made by our brave youth. Having ANZAC games on a day other than ANZAC day dies not ring true. More live FTA ,more blockbusters,more consideration for SOO players.Smith,Greenberg & Co deserve some plaudits.The delay in putting out the schedule IMO was worth the wait. Can't wait til the next Tv deal,when we will get more much more FTA liveuns. Now all we need is removal of Monday nights down the line,and life would be "liveable"once again.

Its good for gamblers too where previously some would listen to the broadcast and wager or not bet at all and check scores on the net instead of waiting for the broadcast....

Like I said I don't go to pubs very early but I'm pretty sure they're open and operating on Anzac Day as normal. Haven't been in QLD on Anzac Day so maybe it's different there.

I thought all but RSL's were supposed to remain closed, or at least not serve Alcohol before 1pm on ANZAC day, at least in Queensland? Anyway WDD that sounds like an awesome day, you can count me in, at least in spirit!

It makes sense to me, although I wish they'd just do it anyway. The number of people who would watch the game in HD on Gem but not in SD on 9 is tiny, and certainly less than the number of people who watch whatever 1930s movie or Big Bang Theory rerun is screened on Gem at that time.

Pubs will be open a lot earlier than that on ANZAC day. I think the attendances and ratings will be a fail due to it being the ANZAC centenary.... but then again, i'm looking at it from a business point of view - not sure how the 70% that have responded on Fox Sports are viewing it. I'm as big a rugby league supporter as there is, i love the game and so do most of my mates and i already know that we won't be watching all 5 games on ANZAC day....plenty of other stuff to do for the 100th.

Boomshanka, read several of your post and you seem to be unhappy, i say man just enjoy what you can not change. i and all my family and friends will be enjoying the live games on FTA thursday, friday and sunday, HD or not we are also looking forward to the ANZAC day matches. Life goes on so enjoy it.

agree Jay .. me too.. with a box full of pizza and Tea won't be drinking alco in case ...?

Most pubs open around 10 where I am.... Not that I ever go drinking at 10 in the morning...

Oh and I'm not sure if you think channel 9 are playing all five games but they're not. Only the main event (drags vs roosters) will be FTA.

Fox almost always has at least 3 except during bye rounds and before Monday night football came around they often had 4 matches on super Saturday. My point was that you asked "since when do channel 9 show matches on Saturday" and I answered that they've been doing the drag roosters game for a long time no matter the day. There's a poll on foxsports atm asking if people are excited for the 5 game Saturday coverage and last time I checked over 70% had answered yes. Which means just because you don't want to watch 5 games in a day (it's not like any bodies forcing you to with a gun to your head) doesn't mean the other 70% that do want to watch footy all day on Anzac Day should miss out. I'm looking forward to hopefully going to the pub and watching the footy non stop all day with my mates and having a great day off with nothing but league, drinks, chicken schnitzels, chips, gravy, and good quality banter about how good rugby league is.

I will be. That sounds like heaven to me. Hopefully they make and awesome day of it. The only issue for me is going to be finding a pub that's open early enough to put the footy on...

bloody beauty!!!!