the_crusader
I'm a big blob of LARD
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CHIEF executives from clubs including Penrith, Canberra and Cronulla have launched a scathing attack on the NRL broadcast arrangements that continually deny their clubs free-to-air coverage on Channel Nine.
The officials yesterday called for wholesale changes to the broadcast deal, labelling the current system "unfair".
The Knights, Sharks and Warriors were left furious on Tuesday when the NRL announced they would not have a single game shown on free-to-air television for at least the first seven rounds of the competition.
The Panthers and Raiders are also seething at being allocated only one Sunday match on Channel Nine in the first seven weeks.
"There needs to be equality across the board because it's not a level playing field at the moment," Sharks boss Richard Fisk said.
Fisk and Panthers CEO Michael Leary said they were sick of having Channel Nine repeatedly select clubs with broader commercial appeal for its Friday night and Sunday afternoon games.
Both stated the NRL must follow the AFL's example of giving clubs a guaranteed fair share of free-to-air game-time with a fixed season schedule.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner agreed it was essential for NRL boss David Gallop to push for a fairer allocation of free-to-air games in negotiations for the league's next broadcast rights deal, which is set to start in 2013.
They want action now, but are resigned to their clubs being a regular feature of Super Saturday on Fox until the NRL's contract runs out with Channel Nine at the end of the 2012 season.
In a sign of how rare a Friday or Sunday match is for the Raiders, Furner said his club was thrilled to get even one game shown on the more lucrative free-to-air broadcaster after going through 2009 with Fox Sports showing all but two Canberra games.
Last year, the Sharks, Roosters and Warriors all had less than six matches on Nine. The Broncos (18) and Dragons (15) had the most coverage.
"We bring it up with David Gallop and [chief operating officer] Graham Annesley every year but it's always the same thing," Furner said. "There has to be a minimum number of games we play [on free-to-air] each week. I'd set the number at eight or 10 so it's fair for everyone."
Leary said that the allocation of free-to-air games should be performance-based.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...over-favouritism/story-e6frexnr-1225842080206
The officials yesterday called for wholesale changes to the broadcast deal, labelling the current system "unfair".
The Knights, Sharks and Warriors were left furious on Tuesday when the NRL announced they would not have a single game shown on free-to-air television for at least the first seven rounds of the competition.
The Panthers and Raiders are also seething at being allocated only one Sunday match on Channel Nine in the first seven weeks.
"There needs to be equality across the board because it's not a level playing field at the moment," Sharks boss Richard Fisk said.
Fisk and Panthers CEO Michael Leary said they were sick of having Channel Nine repeatedly select clubs with broader commercial appeal for its Friday night and Sunday afternoon games.
Both stated the NRL must follow the AFL's example of giving clubs a guaranteed fair share of free-to-air game-time with a fixed season schedule.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner agreed it was essential for NRL boss David Gallop to push for a fairer allocation of free-to-air games in negotiations for the league's next broadcast rights deal, which is set to start in 2013.
They want action now, but are resigned to their clubs being a regular feature of Super Saturday on Fox until the NRL's contract runs out with Channel Nine at the end of the 2012 season.
In a sign of how rare a Friday or Sunday match is for the Raiders, Furner said his club was thrilled to get even one game shown on the more lucrative free-to-air broadcaster after going through 2009 with Fox Sports showing all but two Canberra games.
Last year, the Sharks, Roosters and Warriors all had less than six matches on Nine. The Broncos (18) and Dragons (15) had the most coverage.
"We bring it up with David Gallop and [chief operating officer] Graham Annesley every year but it's always the same thing," Furner said. "There has to be a minimum number of games we play [on free-to-air] each week. I'd set the number at eight or 10 so it's fair for everyone."
Leary said that the allocation of free-to-air games should be performance-based.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...over-favouritism/story-e6frexnr-1225842080206