It’s hard to see how the paywall isn’t part of the mix from here on in too.
Originally the plan was only to play the “bigger” tests at Optus, but it never really eventuated. Perhaps with the current round of redevelopment, we might see some games moved back to the WACA
Big Bash at Optus. Test Cricket at the WACA. If they can get the WACA pitch to play the way it use to then it would be absolutely perfect!
Kirby Short is the boundary rider for Fox at tonight’s BBL match in Brisbane. Thought she was with 7?
I am guessing 7 are covering tonight’s BBL match offtube as well given that Hayden and Ferguson were covering the Boxing Day Test earlier.
She has done stuff with both
Nope they are at the ground. Hayden & Ferguson were not part of 7’s test coverage today.
They did yesterday’s Perth game offtube
Thanks, it’s actually a step forward for 7 given the extent of offtube coverage over the last few years. Maybe they are trying to treat the BBL with more respect this year after trashing it mercilessly for a couple of seasons.
They were at all of their AFL broadcasts when Fox weren’t and had ads saying ‘only broadcast always at the ground’ etc. maybe that’s what they are trying to create with the BBL too
Which is the thing that the UK peeps were telling Australia before the Tv deal.
The same thing happened in the UK when it went behind Sky Sports. The drop off from the next generation has been huge, And talent isn’t great.
But hey, money and Murdoch mean more to sporting boards than the next generation, cause if we can’t fill our pockets with money than why are we living.
Greg Blewett in the main commentary chair at the moment.
Where is Tim Lane or Alison Mitchell?
Blewett is with Pointing and Fleming in the box at the moment.
I never understood why Nine never went after Blewett, he was commentating in the UK, but never on Nine. He is very clear and good behind the mic without going over the top like JB.
I was just going to say that this commentary stint doesn’t have any of 7’s normal play by play callers
And he’s quite good! He’s a bit like Todd Woodbridge in the sense that he calls and analyses, before throwing to an expert.
There has been a level of inevitability around sports having to accept the paywall for some time now - Cricket has been in a somewhat privileged position in that a large amount of their most valuable content is protected from being behind the paywall alone, but that comes at a cost as the paywall is what is driving the value in future rights.
It’s a much more nuanced decision than money vs future generations and there are considerable trade-offs with going either way. But the money is only good if you have an administration that is smart about using it, which sadly in Australia is lacking (I’d argue that the only sports administration that has been sensible with their TV money has been the AFL with the NRL making some significant movements in this space in the recent past).
I don’t buy that signing with Nine or Ten would see no paywalled content.
No Alison Mitchell during session 2.
Started with JB, Blewett, Lane & JB
I wouldn’t actually say the AFL has been good with the money. It’s the only sport in the world in which the admin and CEO own more money than players. The Admin within the AFL takes a huge chunk of money, which means there is less to go to grassroots and the next generation.
The next generation is just via watching on TV but money pouring into the local clubs etc.
She’s been absent from TV and ABC Radio today as she’s unwell.
I only just realised that this year, 7 has made their previous online only (Twitter?) cricket show ‘The Spin’ into a live show after the BBL on Thursdays
Jackson Warne on 7 while his father was on Fox Cricket. Jackson could be used for footy commitments next year
What does offtube mean? Commentating off site?
