36 replies to this topic

[manu samoa fan]

Quote

Graham Lowe: League should be free-to-air
4:00AM Friday Sep 18, 2009
By Graham Lowe

Last weekend's NRL delivered an entertainment value on television that I doubt has been matched by any other sport this year.
And whatever Sky TV are paying the NRL for the rights to broadcast it to New Zealand, they are getting it cheap when comparing it to some other sports.
The 2009 NRL season has once again produced a sporting entertainment package that is the equal to, if not better than any other sport on television globally.
It should be remembered Sky built much of its success on the back of league.

And thinking about it makes me wonder why the government-owned TVNZ is not aggressively chasing the free-to-air rights for the NRL.
The average bloke in the street should not have to pay to watch the highly entertaining NRL on TV.
TVNZ have rarely got behind league and it is a shame. They could do a great job with this product. They'd win the hearts of a great many viewers and lift their own brand or image.

However what must be kept in mind is that if it wasn't for a former TVNZ director of programming and his vision of league's future, even the Warriors probably wouldn't be here today.

John McCready was the man who was responsible for the broadcasting of the Winfield Cup on TV2 in 1991.

That was when the phenomenon of league on television started.

The shrewd McCready lured one of Australia's leading TV sporting broadcasters to front his new idea.

The knowledge, slickness and timing of Graeme Hughes as a commentator propelled league into the living rooms of New Zealand.

Hughes also set new standards for commentators of all sports in this country.

He alone gave league an image of professionalism that generated a popularity in New Zealand that had never been seen before.

It was a big gamble for McCready and also for Hughes who turned down a lucrative offer from Channel 9 in Australia to help deliver the game of league to the sporting nation here in New Zealand.

Television now owns sport and there is not much that can be done about it. But like many in New Zealand, I question why we have to pay for it.

We should be watching it live on free-to-air television courtesy of our government broadcaster.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=10597956

Whats this guy smoking ?

[Razbra]

I don't mind paying for sky. I don't mind paying for NRL. the 9 network(free to air hosts) in OZ don't show all the games either they show 3-4 per weekend. Thats out of a possible 8. So the country that host the comp isn't even getting it free.

Even if we were to get the games free to air they would likely follow the same guidelines as channel 9 where the games start live and ends up delayed due to ad breaks. No thanks.

Fine the way it is. If you want to make something free to air Graham how about ANZC something the country really fucking cares about.

Edit.grammer

[MN5]

Razbra said:

I don't mind paying for sky. I don't mind paying for NRL. the 9 network(free to air hosts) in OZ don't show all the games either they show 3-4 per weekend. Thats outs of a possible 8. So the country that host the comp isn't even getting it free.

Even if we were to get the games free to air they would likely follow the same guidelines as channel 9 where the games starts live and ends up delayed due to add breaks. No thanks.

Fine the way it is. If you want to make something free to air Graham how about ANZC something the country really fucking cares about.

We're a far cry from the glory days of 1991 Graham. Back then leaguies never got in trouble with the law ( well actually to be fair they hid it better as there were no video phones ) and it was before all this super league bullshit.

[taniwharugby]

thing is, if ANZC was free to air, I'd of removed my Sports package weeks ago given I can still watch the AB's delayed, and given the way they have been playing, it aint like they are worth paying for!!

I will be ditching SS at the conclusion of the ANZC and not start again until S15

[MN5]

taniwharugby said:

thing is, if ANZC was free to air, I'd of removed my Sports package weeks ago given I can still watch the AB's delayed, and given the way they have been playing, it aint like they are worth paying for!!

I will be ditching SS at the conclusion of the ANZC and not start again until S15

I would like to do that in theory ( as would the wife ) but I do like taking in the cricket during this period.

[taniwharugby]

see I only watch it cos it is on (like Golf) but wouldnt miss it if I didnt have it.

As I have said before, if they would sell me just the Rugby channel alone, I'd have it instead

[MN5]

taniwharugby said:

see I only watch it cos it is on (like Golf) but wouldnt miss it if I didnt have it.

As I have said before, if they would sell me just the Rugby channel alone, I'd have it instead

Yeah four sports channels sounds cool in theory but how often is there something decent on both of them let alone all four ? looking ahead a bit but I may well can it during the WC if they are free on 3. As for sky as a whole this is a no no since we can't get the other channels clearly because we live in a valley. Coverage on any mobile network is shit as well.

[Hooroo]

Yup! Last night for example!

That is when MySky comes into it's own where you can record bnoth games and flick between the two rewinding if there has been a try scored. Love it.

Also good for when S14 starts and there is a day/night cricket match on at the same time.

[cd_wilson]

Razbra said:

I don't mind paying for sky. I don't mind paying for NRL. the 9 network(free to air hosts) in OZ don't show all the games either they show 3-4 per weekend. Thats out of a possible 8. So the country that host the comp isn't even getting it free.

Even if we were to get the games free to air they would likely follow the same guidelines as channel 9 where the games start live and ends up delayed due to ad breaks. No thanks.

Fine the way it is. If you want to make something free to air Graham how about ANZC something the country really fucking cares about.

Edit.grammer

Channel 9 shows the Friday night game(s) and one Sunday afternoon game. (edit) They are all delayed. Friday night game starts televising at 7:30pm finishing 9:30 when they kick off the second game (if there is one). Sunday game is televised from 4pm to 6pm.

They are showing the final series ..

[Razbra]

manu samoa fan said:

Quote

Graham Lowe: League should be free-to-air
4:00AM Friday Sep 18, 2009
By Graham Lowe

Last weekend's NRL delivered an entertainment value on television that I doubt has been matched by any other sport this year.
And whatever Sky TV are paying the NRL for the rights to broadcast it to New Zealand, they are getting it cheap when comparing it to some other sports.
The 2009 NRL season has once again produced a sporting entertainment package that is the equal to, if not better than any other sport on television globally.
It should be remembered Sky built much of its success on the back of league.

And thinking about it makes me wonder why the government-owned TVNZ is not aggressively chasing the free-to-air rights for the NRL.
The average bloke in the street should not have to pay to watch the highly entertaining NRL on TV.
TVNZ have rarely got behind league and it is a shame. They could do a great job with this product. They'd win the hearts of a great many viewers and lift their own brand or image.

However what must be kept in mind is that if it wasn't for a former TVNZ director of programming and his vision of league's future, even the Warriors probably wouldn't be here today.

John McCready was the man who was responsible for the broadcasting of the Winfield Cup on TV2 in 1991.

That was when the phenomenon of league on television started.

The shrewd McCready lured one of Australia's leading TV sporting broadcasters to front his new idea.

The knowledge, slickness and timing of Graeme Hughes as a commentator propelled league into the living rooms of New Zealand.

Hughes also set new standards for commentators of all sports in this country.

He alone gave league an image of professionalism that generated a popularity in New Zealand that had never been seen before.

It was a big gamble for McCready and also for Hughes who turned down a lucrative offer from Channel 9 in Australia to help deliver the game of league to the sporting nation here in New Zealand.

Television now owns sport and there is not much that can be done about it. But like many in New Zealand, I question why we have to pay for it.

We should be watching it live on free-to-air television courtesy of our government broadcaster.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=10597956

Whats this guy smoking ?

Another nugget of intelligent observation from the great Graham Lowe.

Why should TVNZ get behind something that is not a NZ competition? TVNZ is for the better part government funded by, strangely enough, the NZ government. Not the ockers!
Why would they aggressively pursue an expensive and risky investment that is not a Kiwi institution. Even if they only paid for warriors games as soon as they start losing the country would switch off. There is more patience in NZ fandom with the Blackcaps and theyre less likely to win anything than the warriors. There is no provincial tie to any other club outside of the warriors to us, while you get the odd die hard fan who back the broncs,dragons,dogs or manly they are few and far between. Like has been said the average person will watch league if it is on but not actually make the time to watch it.

[Razbra]

I wonder if Graham knows they stream the games for free to europe.

[MN5]

It's just Graham hoping in vain that League will be taken seriously by more than three countries. Its a bit pathetic how precious guys like him, Gary Freeman, Ridgy etc get. A season or two in Oz and they're all "maaaaaaaaaaaaaate" "strewth" and talking about "our game"

Gary Freeman in particular is a grade A dickwad.

[motuboy]

always remember news footage of Freeman sulking in the team bus after he got dropped xzxshout

[Razbra]

MN5 said:

It's just Graham hoping in vain that League will be taken seriously by more than three countries. Its a bit pathetic how precious guys like him, Gary Freeman, Ridgy etc get. A season or two in Oz and they're all "maaaaaaaaaaaaaate" "strewth" and talking about "our game"

Gary Freeman in particular is a grade A dickwad.

The thing about ridge in particular is that he is no league man. He would have sucked the fart out of dead seagulls for the right money. He was always about how he looked(Zinny talking to him on the bus about not wearing a collar in The good the bad and the rugby) and what everyone was willing to do for him. There is no doubting his talent and I strongly believe he could have been a great AB but the guy was a tool then and league has played a massive part in producing what is likely NZs biggest tool in sport now.

[manu samoa fan]

MN5 said:

It's just Graham hoping in vain that League will be taken seriously by more than three countries. Its a bit pathetic how precious guys like him, Gary Freeman, Ridgy etc get. A season or two in Oz and they're all "maaaaaaaaaaaaaate" "strewth" and talking about "our game"

Gary Freeman in particular is a grade A dickwad.

You can add Gordon Tallis to that list. He's a fuc*ing retard and always have a go at rugby evey year like Mr taxi driver Lowe.

[MN5]

manu samoa fan said:

MN5 said:

It's just Graham hoping in vain that League will be taken seriously by more than three countries. Its a bit pathetic how precious guys like him, Gary Freeman, Ridgy etc get. A season or two in Oz and they're all "maaaaaaaaaaaaaate" "strewth" and talking about "our game"

Gary Freeman in particular is a grade A dickwad.

You can add Gordon Tallis to that list. He's a fuc*ing retard and always have a go at rugby evey year like Mr taxi driver Lowe.

Mark Geyer has a go at rugby "yawnion" as well thinking that the elite athletes are produced in league. While this may have been true some 15 or so years ago it sure ain't now. Wendy Sailor on the other hand is a leaguie I have a lot of time for. Everyone has a go at his big ego but most of it is tongue firmly in cheek and he takes quips about his barge arse in his stride....( literally and figuratively )

Ridge being NZ's biggest sporting tool ? its hard to think of any others quite in his league....he makes Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher seem likable and humble.

[MajorRage]

Jesus, a few opinionated blokes offer something different to the usual boring dross and they get smashed - thats what I read from here? About the only good point on this thread about Lowe's comments is that TVNZ, a publically funded broadcaster should not really be looking to get coverage of an Aussie competition - although, free to air Warriors games would perhaps be a slightly more compelling argument.

The early 90's, Graeme Hughes era he refers to was truly a great time for league & McCready's marketing was brilliant. I remember John Dybvig on TV3 doing ths bit comparing them, It was Tina Turner and Barnesy doing their thing with explosive action, hits, crowds etc & then showing Kiri singing the world in union with all the old boys standing around & asking if the 2 were really comparable. It was an extremely compelling argument, and truly a great time for league fans in NZ.

Gary Freeman is a NZ rugby league legend, so if he's saying the odd thing to promote the sport he loves, whats the problem? Lowe's hyperbole comments are just his opinion too - but what's wrong with that? Tallis et al - well, maybe they don't like rugby, but so what? They have a pop at it, fine, but jesus it's not like rugby commentators all say league is a great sport!!

I'm sure there are more things which I don't see which you guys do, but Lowe is passionate about league, and personally I'd rather see somebodys comments whose passionate about a sport, then some dickhead just loooking to put the kndife into the larger personalitys in the sport which they apparently love (sport journalism is prevalent with these dickheads - we all know who they are).

[Chiefy]

One thing Lowe is definitely correct about and MajorRage touched on it a bit is that Graeme Hughes was a brilliant commentator and far superior to anything on offer across all the sports in NZ currently. He was even great on the domestic cricket a few years back.

[KiwiPie]

Jesus, some people disagree with an opinionated bloke and MajorRage flies off the handle like a demented fruit-bat. So what if people choose to disagree with an opinion published in a national newspaper, so what if people are actually giving their own opinion?

[MajorRage]

KiwiPie said:

Jesus, some people disagree with an opinionated bloke and MajorRage flies off the handle like a demented fruit-bat. So what if people choose to disagree with an opinion published in a national newspaper, so what if people are actually giving their own opinion?

If you think that's flying off the handle fella, you've not ready many of my posts!

I fail to see how the calling of League legends such as Tallis, Freeman, Geyer, Ridgey names is relevant to Lowe suggesting there should be more league on TV.

[Baron Silas Greenback]

So you are the thread police now? Thanks but those job positions are taken and you were not succesfull, so dont worry about how threads evolve.

[manu samoa fan]

I really don't give a toot if Mr Lowe's keep his opinions to his code. But when the idiot start mouthing off about the game I love then I have the right to speak up. He's been doing this for years and sometimes he thinks he's talking on the behalf of the rugby fans in this country. He's not a rugby fan and far from it.
I would love to see him write something about the state of league in New Zealand where there are now only 15,000 players left and no money in the bank.
I watched league on TV2 in 1991 because it was a professional sport with all the Razzmatazz on and off the field that I hope one day see in rugby in the future. I didn't enjoy the game I thought it was boring. But thats my opinion.

[MajorRage]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

So you are the thread police now? Thanks but those job positions are taken and you were not succesfull, so dont worry about how threads evolve.

Who said I was policing anything? Don't worry BSG, we are all aware you are a higher power to the rest of us. but cheers for making it looks like you beat me to a job I never applied for.

I thought Lowe's piece was interesting, I read the opinons and then I got annoyed as it turned into a lets just abuse every league commentator/player thread like most do. So I commentated.

Jesus, touchy day on TSF!

[KiwiPie]

MajorRage said:

KiwiPie said:

Jesus, some people disagree with an opinionated bloke and MajorRage flies off the handle like a demented fruit-bat. So what if people choose to disagree with an opinion published in a national newspaper, so what if people are actually giving their own opinion?

If you think that's flying off the handle fella, you've not ready many of my posts!

I fail to see how the calling of League legends such as Tallis, Freeman, Geyer, Ridgey names is relevant to Lowe suggesting there should be more league on TV.

I see my sarcasm failed to land on the target, I shouldn't try to be so subtle. Usual stuff, feel free to give an opinion, just don't feel the need to lambast everyone else giving theirs.

[Baron Silas Greenback]

I dont think anyone could care less actually MR, especially not me. I just think it is funny you going off on a rant about other peoples opinions for ranting about someone elses opinons, and then using the justifcation that the thread had gone off on a tangent.

You have the tallest horse of anyone I know.... you prob need it for the daily commute from the ivory tower.

[MajorRage]

Best I leave this thread alone now I think. Point I was trying to make was that Lowe had some stuff worth discussing, and I enjoy reading what a passionate sports fan has to say over somebody with a knife in the back agenda.

Just gonna leave it at that, apols to those who think I was being condescending on all other opinions as was not my intention, although reading my original post it did come across like that.

BSG - I hope you have a lovely day. xzxdrinks

[FredDagg1979]

BSG playing the man rather than the ball - who could have seen that coming.

I just don't see the obsession with Australian Rugby League.

Maybe it's the Cultural Cringe; maybe it's some form of anti-establishment/anti-rugby protest, but why on earth does Graham Lowe or any sane person for that matter think we should be more interested in Australian Rugby League than the NPC, and why should a taxpayer funded NZ TV station supposedly be chasing the rights to it is beyond me.

[MN5]

FredDagg1979 said:

BSG playing the man rather than the ball - who could have seen that coming.

I just don't see the obsession with Australian Rugby League.

Maybe it's the Cultural Cringe; maybe it's some form of anti-establishment/anti-rugby protest, but why on earth does Graham Lowe or any sane person for that matter think we should be more interested in Australian Rugby League than the NPC, and why should a taxpayer funded NZ TV station supposedly be chasing the rights to it is beyond me.

My interest in league is pretty tenuous at the best of times and I'm definitely what could be termed a fair weather fan. I really enjoyed the warriors in 02-03 but lately ? couldn't give a shit. On one side I admire the Gasniers, SBWs, Inglis's etc as amazing players but generally the flipside of morons saying "mate" every second word, gang banging and defacating in public sways me down the negative route.

[FredDagg1979]

MN5 said:

FredDagg1979 said:

BSG playing the man rather than the ball - who could have seen that coming.

I just don't see the obsession with Australian Rugby League.

Maybe it's the Cultural Cringe; maybe it's some form of anti-establishment/anti-rugby protest, but why on earth does Graham Lowe or any sane person for that matter think we should be more interested in Australian Rugby League than the NPC, and why should a taxpayer funded NZ TV station supposedly be chasing the rights to it is beyond me.

My interest in league is pretty tenuous at the best of times and I'm definitely what could be termed a fair weather fan. I really enjoyed the warriors in 02-03 but lately ? couldn't give a shit. On one side I admire the Gasniers, SBWs, Inglis's etc as amazing players but generally the flipside of morons saying "mate" every second word, gang banging and defacating in public sways me down the negative route.

I agree. And yet the coverage it gets in the media here is massive. If you compare domestic player numbers to media coverage, Rugby league is off the charts.

What the f@ck is the infatuation with the Australian Rugby League in this country?. Atleast once a week, both Sports Radio stations will be interviewing Rugby League personalities on their breakfast shows at the exact same time.

[Razbra]

I have stated before I come from a league family. I have love for both sports. What I do not understand is one persons agenda to have a sport he loves take pride or place above another sport which is of greater importance to the majority. And when that agenda comes at a very hefty price I say fuck off Graham! I feel I don't need to apologize for that. I will also point out that I am part of the minority who actually makes time to watch the NRL. I think the sport vs sport rhetoric is pointless. If you are a fan of either no one will persuade you other wise no matter how much of a legend they may be.

I will also not apologize for my comments on ridge the guy is a cock. if he played union his whole life he'd still be the same. I just hate that he has aligned self as a league advocate when really he is just a merc.