Storm fans left feeling sour as Channel Nine cuts broadcast
Arjun Ramachandran | October 5, 2009 - 11:45AM
It was a historic grand final win, one that has seen Melbourne declared the "team of the decade" - but Storm fans in Melbourne last night were prevented from seeing their side crowned 2009 NRL premiers.
Victorian fans' feelings of glee quickly soured after Channel Nine cut its broadcast immediately after full-time and went to the news, before the presentation ceremony.
Fans south of the border missed out on seeing Storm captain Cameron Smith lift the NRL trophy, the naming of Billy Slater as Clive Churchill medallist and Melbourne's second lap of honour in just three years.
"Channel 9 Vic you shiteads!!! Don't get to see any celebrations because your scheduling is more important. You suck!" wrote enraged fan Mafesto on Twitter, just moments after Nine ended its coverage.
"Channel 9 has out done themselves yet again, Melbourne wins the NRL premiership so they don't show the presentations and go to the news," posted another fan, d-odgy.
Similar comments were made on a Facebook group devoted to Channel Nine's "rubbish" coverage of rugby league in Victoria, and on various rugby league fan forums.
Fans also vented their anger on ninemsn, Channel Nine's news website, describing the network's decision as "very poor" and claiming to be "bitterly disappointed".
A Channel Nine spokeswoman said the network made an announcement at the end of the match that it would be crossing to the news and that it would show highlights of the presentation during the news's sports segment.
She would not comment about the number of complaints received or fans' angry reactions.
Last night's incident revived long-standing feelings of bitterness at Channel Nine's treatment of rugby league fans in Victoria.
Fans have long complained that matches involving the Storm in the regular season have not been broadcast live in Melbourne, in prime time.
Earlier in the season, Melbourne fans were reportedly enraged when Channel Nine delayed its broadcast of the 2008 grand final replay between the Storm and Manly until midnight.
The shabby treatment of Storm fans also comes just days after Victorian politicians said the NRL grand final ought to be held at the MCG.
"The Storm's record of four consecutive grand finals really makes you wonder whether or not the rugby league grand final ought be played here in Melbourne," Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls said.
More provocatively, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle pushed for the game to be held at the MCG because Sydney's ANZ stadium was "in some godforsaken suburb".
"They're going to get 60,000 people in some rundown stadium, where you have to take a car trip for a half an hour before you can get a decent meal,” Cr Doyle told 2UE.
"Whereas if you put it at the MCG this Saturday night, you could get 100,000 people … "
A response is being sought from Channel Nine.
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I know its been said before but if the NRL really want the game to grow, they need to take control of things like this related to broadcasting.
Give the coverage to ch 10 next time rights are renewed, at least judging by the AFL they prioritise their sports before their news.
Here's conspiracy, maybe ch9 dont want the NRL to grow in Melbourne because that will lead to them having to pay more money for when the tv rghts are renewed? 😱pen_mouth:
Arjun Ramachandran | October 5, 2009 - 11:45AM
It was a historic grand final win, one that has seen Melbourne declared the "team of the decade" - but Storm fans in Melbourne last night were prevented from seeing their side crowned 2009 NRL premiers.
Victorian fans' feelings of glee quickly soured after Channel Nine cut its broadcast immediately after full-time and went to the news, before the presentation ceremony.
Fans south of the border missed out on seeing Storm captain Cameron Smith lift the NRL trophy, the naming of Billy Slater as Clive Churchill medallist and Melbourne's second lap of honour in just three years.
"Channel 9 Vic you shiteads!!! Don't get to see any celebrations because your scheduling is more important. You suck!" wrote enraged fan Mafesto on Twitter, just moments after Nine ended its coverage.
"Channel 9 has out done themselves yet again, Melbourne wins the NRL premiership so they don't show the presentations and go to the news," posted another fan, d-odgy.
Similar comments were made on a Facebook group devoted to Channel Nine's "rubbish" coverage of rugby league in Victoria, and on various rugby league fan forums.
Fans also vented their anger on ninemsn, Channel Nine's news website, describing the network's decision as "very poor" and claiming to be "bitterly disappointed".
A Channel Nine spokeswoman said the network made an announcement at the end of the match that it would be crossing to the news and that it would show highlights of the presentation during the news's sports segment.
She would not comment about the number of complaints received or fans' angry reactions.
Last night's incident revived long-standing feelings of bitterness at Channel Nine's treatment of rugby league fans in Victoria.
Fans have long complained that matches involving the Storm in the regular season have not been broadcast live in Melbourne, in prime time.
Earlier in the season, Melbourne fans were reportedly enraged when Channel Nine delayed its broadcast of the 2008 grand final replay between the Storm and Manly until midnight.
The shabby treatment of Storm fans also comes just days after Victorian politicians said the NRL grand final ought to be held at the MCG.
"The Storm's record of four consecutive grand finals really makes you wonder whether or not the rugby league grand final ought be played here in Melbourne," Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls said.
More provocatively, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle pushed for the game to be held at the MCG because Sydney's ANZ stadium was "in some godforsaken suburb".
"They're going to get 60,000 people in some rundown stadium, where you have to take a car trip for a half an hour before you can get a decent meal,” Cr Doyle told 2UE.
"Whereas if you put it at the MCG this Saturday night, you could get 100,000 people … "
A response is being sought from Channel Nine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I know its been said before but if the NRL really want the game to grow, they need to take control of things like this related to broadcasting.
Give the coverage to ch 10 next time rights are renewed, at least judging by the AFL they prioritise their sports before their news.
Here's conspiracy, maybe ch9 dont want the NRL to grow in Melbourne because that will lead to them having to pay more money for when the tv rghts are renewed? 😱pen_mouth:
