Channel 7 Secure RLWC 2017

"Seven’s agreement for the Rugby League World Cup 2017 delivers all rights in Australia including free-to-air broadcast television and subscription television rights, online, mobile, and expands to Seven’s digital and mobile platforms.

"Seven has also been appointed to undertake the host broadcast for international television of all games played in Australia in the Rugby League World Cup 2017.

"Seven’s partnership with the Rugby League World Cup follows Seven’s successful broadcast of the sport’s pinnacle event in 2013.

"Today’s agreement also confirms Seven’s commitment to bringing major events to all Australians.

Seven West's Kurt Burnette said they were stoked to be calling the rugby league.

"The partnership with the Rugby League World Cup will see us not only create the global television coverage but also undertake the most far-reaching and expansive coverage of the Cup across television and connected devices," he said.

"We are looking forward to being a partner with the Rugby League World Cup. It will be a remarkable event. And broadcast live in our primetime."

Love it. Means I dont have to listen to Gus and Rabs argue in the final about which ref is worse than the other

Hopefully Channel 7 do a terrific job and, in turn, that either means they genuinely challenge at the next broadcast deal, or at the least Channel 9 pull their heads out of their arses and realise that just because a bloke was a wonderful player doesn't automatically make them a decent commentator.

If channel 9 really loves the game, like they claim to, they would send these amazing x players like johns and lockyer around the country promoting the game, coaching kids, trying to transfer their love of the sport and the skills - instead of putting them on TV watching them make fools out of themselves.

They could create a Channel 9 Legends coaching program and send legends of the game around the country and more.

Will be interesting to see what Channel 9 / Fox do with the contracts of current players. Traditionally there is a free for all at the start of each year to sign the big names to exclusive deals, but they end when the season does. Which means a lot of players available for 7 to poach.

Pieman wrote:If channel 9 really loves the game, like they claim to, they would send these amazing x players like johns and lockyer around the country promoting the game, coaching kids, trying to transfer their love of the sport and the skills - instead of putting them on TV watching them make fools out of themselves.

They could create a Channel 9 Legends coaching program and send legends of the game around the country and more.

Unlike what appears to be the majority of people, I don't really have too much of a problem with Channel 9's broadcast and their commentary team (although I'd prefer if they kept Vossy and let Rabs go).

IMO the 'legends' they have do a pretty bloody good job.

What I do have a problem with is the scheduling and if there is competition and the NRL can then grow enough of a set to dictate terms (they should already to be honest....), then I will be a happy man.

I thought they were alright too, till I watched the fox coverage.
Its better in every single aspect IMO.

And I do enjoy Johns, fittler and Locky's input. I love hearing expert player opinions. They are just so fucking bad at delivering them most of the time.

Didn't 7 have the 4 Nations or last WC or something, and their commentators were attrocious?

Dip wrote:Didn't 7 have the 4 Nations or last WC or something, and their commentators were attrocious?

Pretty sure they had the last WC, I dont remember how the quality of the commentary was tho.

Pieman wrote:I thought they were alright too, till I watched the fox coverage.
Its better in every single aspect IMO.

And I do enjoy Johns, fittler and Locky's input. I love hearing expert player opinions. They are just so fucking bad at delivering them most of the time.

I've got both and end up watching Ch 9 when they are both broadcasting.

Pieman wrote:I thought they were alright too, till I watched the fox coverage.
Its better in every single aspect IMO.

And I do enjoy Johns, fittler and Locky's input. I love hearing expert player opinions. They are just so fucking bad at delivering them most of the time.

This.  I watch every game every week and I will never watch a Channel 9 broadcast over a Fox broadcast.  Origin was excruciating.  

I don't have that much of a problem with Rabs and Gus, every Fox commentator has it over them, but they are not that bad to me.  It is the whole professionalism, the whole presentation in general.  The way the 'experts' like Lockyer and Johns and Wally bumble over their words (even with rehearsed shit), have no personality, can't ask a question without stuffing it up, not to mention their annoying voices.

Foxtel's coverage is superior in EVERY SINGLE facet.  Not to mention the investment in serious weekly shows in 360 and Sterlo, balanced out with Matty Johns, a show that is actually as smart and insightful as it is funny.

Personally I think everything Channel 9 does with Rugby League nowadays is second rate.

SI wrote:
This.  I watch every game every week and I will never watch a Channel 9 broadcast over a Fox broadcast.  Origin was excruciating.  

I don't have that much of a problem with Rabs and Gus, every Fox commentator has it over them, but they are not that bad to me.  It is the whole professionalism, the whole presentation in general.  The way the 'experts' like Lockyer and Johns and Wally bumble over their words (even with rehearsed shit), have no personality, can't ask a question without stuffing it up, not to mention their annoying voices.

Foxtel's coverage is superior in EVERY SINGLE facet.  Not to mention the investment in serious weekly shows in 360 and Sterlo, balanced out with Matty Johns, a show that is actually as smart and insightful as it is funny.

Personally I think everything Channel 9 does with Rugby League nowadays is second rate.

Well said could not agree more.
Personally, I hate rabs and gus - their forced arguments are horrible, they dont even talk about the footy half the time. Its embarrassing. I was watching a game with an AFL fan friend the other day, and he goes - "What the fuck are they talking about? Why are they arguing and not commentating?". I was like, yep, tis what they do.

The questions Johns, locky and fittler ask players are just the fucking worst.
"Oh hey mate you must have been nervous for ya debut, what about the crowd aye"
Player x bumbles with a reply because no real question was actually asked.
Fucking terrible.

And you are right, they literally can not ask a question or say a paragraph without fucking it up. Its hard to watch sometimes.

Totally agree with you tho, its second rate and needs a huge clean out.

How they let Gould commentate games when penrith guys player, or even let him commentate penrith games from time to time is just beyond me. Its the biggest conflict of interest.

Dip wrote:Didn't 7 have the 4 Nations or last WC or something, and their commentators were attrocious?

Didn't they use the Pommie commentators and use locals for before/halftime & after game ?