The NRL looks set to capitalise on the intense public interest in the judiciary hearing for Titans captain Kevin Proctor’s biting charge.
NRL boss Peter V’Landys has now formally signed off on the first ever televised judiciary hearing, with the outcome to be determined by live voting by viewers.
The brainchild of a sports marketing agency, V’Landys said he knew the newest legal-sports reality show, to be simply called “The Judiciary”, was going to be a ratings winner as soon as he heard the pitch.
The bizarre incident that is the subject of the hearing involved the Titans captain becoming the first ever NRL player to be sent from the field for (literally) biting a Shark (Cronulla playmaker Shaun Johnson). Since the controversy at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday evening, debate has raged over what really happened, with as many theories as there are accounts in the Twitterverse.
In addition to members of the public, NRL heavyweights like big Mal Meninga, Peter Sterling, Laurie Daley, Paul Gallen, Gorden Tallis, Gus Gould and Phil Rothfield have all expressed their views.
On observing the massive public reaction, V’landys admitted the chance to reap a ratings bonanza was too attractive to ignore for the league in difficult financial times, despite his initial reservations.
Said the NRL boss, “look, at first I was a little concerned that televising the event might detract from the integrity of the Judiciary process. But then it was pointed out to me that they televised the impeachment hearings for President Trump in the United States and it drew over 12 million viewers for the each of the first three days.”
“That is ratings gold, and in our market at prime time, this is $25,000 for a 30-second ad slot! And if live telecasting doesn’t demean hearings to impeach the President of the United States, I ask why should it take away from a rugby league judiciary hearing?”
According to the NRL’s head of marketing, significant advertising revenue has already been tendered for the event: “We’ve had intense interest from a wide range of advertisers, particularly from snack food manufacturers like Sunrice (“Mini Bites with sea salt”) and Nestle Milky Bar (“Cookie Bites”). We’ve also had interest from dental care product suppliers like Colgate, Oral-B and Listerine”.
Regarding the decision to allow viewers’ votes to determine the judicial outcome, V’Landy had no reservations.
“The NRL Commission will always do what is in the best interests of rugby league. How can democracy not be in the best interests of the game? I mean, we decide who will lead our country by giving everyone a vote, you can’t get more fair than that.
“There are so many opinions about Kevin’s charge that we decided this was the best way to reach a decision everyone is happy with! Just like in voting for politicians, no one complains about the President or Prime Minister as long as they all got to vote, do they?”
Viewers will also have the opportunity to rate the performances of the key judiciary players in real-time, including the NRL Prosecutor, counsel for the defence and even Proctor himself, by turning a dial on their tablet or smartphone. A live ‘worm’ will show viewers reactions on screen, using the latest technology from Roy Morgan research.
A spokesman for the NRL’s marketing agency has said depending on how successful the hearing is from a ratings perspective, it may provide a template for more quasi-judicial reality TV spin offs for the NRL. There are unconfirmed rumours that the expensive white elephant known as “the Bunker” might be replaced by a similar ‘viewer live voting’ platform to make on-field decisions and decide captain’s challenges.
The spokesman went on to reveal that “we are even looking at giving individual viewers the paid opportunity to press a “Try” or “No Try” button via their smartphone. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t pay $100 to do that?”
Not everyone is supportive of the NRL’s latest innovation. A senior partner of large city law firm Hartless and Calliss said: “The NRL has really “jumped the Shark” this time, excuse the pun. They’re cheapening the judicial process and commercialising the administration of the law”.
When pressed for further comment, the senior partner declined to elaborate, abruptly ending the interview on the basis that “I’m not billing for this interview, so I’m afraid our time is up”.
The Judiciary screens on Tuesday night at 730 pm.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Beautiful soundtrack kk, but maybe too dignified and poignant for "the Judiciary". :laughing: :laughing:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Barry, you have absolutely nailed it! Too perfect as a theme song :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
If you need some theme music for The Bunker offshoot show, you cant go past the Theme From Benny Hill
Kman
Roar Rookie
Exactly Paul, you got it! Fan engagement, and frankly, if there's one sport where everyone has an opinion, it's rugby league :laughing: Time to monetise that!!
Kman
Roar Rookie
Now you're onto something there, Farkurnell! :laughing:
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Edward - all satire aside, I had wondered if this had been tried before - WWE would be where it would happen first, I am guessing!
kk
Roar Pro
How about 'The Lonely Shepherd' Gheorghe Zamfir from Kill Bill. This is a time for titanium linings on brain and body not knowing if your career on the rectangle is to continue. I gave thought to the seemingly appropriate theme from 'Gladiator' but the 'Shepherd' had that feeling of safe return. May the button presses be with you.
Paul
Roar Guru
"They’re cheapening the judicial process and commercialising the administration of the law”. Everyone knows the NRL is struggling financially, so cheapening the judicial process to make a few bucks is pretty sensible I'd have thought. It also allows the armchair critics to show off their expertise and knowledge of the rules - or lack of.
Farkurnell
Guest
Great an NRL Judge Judy.many are calling for a return to the law of the jungle - maybe we can get a celebrity Judge Pauline to appear.You know provocation was a pretty good defence out at Dodge City.I’m sure heaps of mums and dads will be happy to sign up there kiddies for some good old fashion biting contests
edward
Guest
Excellent but fiction turning into fact soon . Have WWE tried something like this?
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thank you as always for your kind comments, kk. I really appreciate it. We obviously think alike! Maybe you could be have a think about a suitable soundtrack for the new show as I know you enjoy soundtracks! :laughing: Something dramatic and 'legal' sounding
kk
Roar Pro
This is as original as it is brilliant. The code has at last been given a foolproof pathway to become the premier show on TV apart from gameday. Well done, Kman. DVL will soon be knocking on your door or even a man in dark sunglasses from Red Hill. They need a shot of imagination up north.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Albo, I thought readers might enjoy that one! Thank you for reading =)
Tony
Roar Guru
Comedy? I took this to be a serious post.
Albo
Roar Rookie
"..no one complains about the President or Prime Minister as long as they all got to vote, do they?” Comedy gold, Kman !
Tony
Roar Guru
Unfortunately, Hartless and Calliss have lodged an injunction forbidding any future contact between myself and the Commission.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Barry, have you considered applying for a place on the Commission? You're an ideas man :laughing: thanks for reading!
Tony
Roar Guru
Finally they're getting something right. This will take the game to the next level. Hopefully "The Judiciary" will also allow on-line voting on appropriate punishment, ranging from dunking in a pool of water to burning at the stake for the worst indiscretions A logical follow-up will be an app on which club supporters can choose the team each week, obviously with power of veto by Phil Gould.