View Full Version : TV Channel 9's Winter Olympics Coverage
ExTasDeeMan
17 Feb 2010, 19:07
Seriously, what the **** is this... Granted I couldn't really give too much of a shit about Ice Skating, but I really like watching the cross section of sports I normally would't see.
They have fat head and idiot girl hosting a Today Show with a few sports highlights. Disgraceful. Screw paying extra cash to watch the Winter Olympics, I would have thought that Olympics (summer or winter), was shown properly on FTA.
Channel 9 = Olympics
Spielberg = Indiana Jones glass head
Seriously.
Gasometer
17 Feb 2010, 19:31
Watched half an hour on Nien last night & kept moaning out to the Mrs 'how much did they pay for this? Hope delaying Underbelly 3 was worth it!'
gaso
StickWithEars
17 Feb 2010, 19:44
Just wait for London...
McGuire, Brayshaw, Hackett, McKinnon, Stefanovic...
thrown up in your mouth yet?
Hope your mute button works OK...
Screw paying extra cash to watch the Winter Olympics
If you even had the slightest interest you should have paid. Foxtel's coverage is sensational.
I would have thought that Olympics (summer or winter), was shown properly on FTA.
Well it never has been so I'm not sure why you thought that.
For people without foxtel, the NBC olympics site has extensive video coverage so definitely worth a look. Just use a proxy to circumvent the international restrictions.
Is terrible.. granted I've only tuned in a handful of times, but during each of those times I've seen this:
- Mick Molloy in some woeful skit
- Eddie McGuire and Camplin whinge about how that Aussie didnt win gold and then took 15 minutes or longer to break down his event, bit, by bit.
- Some figure skating (but then turned it off coz it was getting late and i needed to go to sleep)
Yeah I think that was about it. Great coverage nine. :thumbsu:
- Mick Molloy in some woeful skit
WTF is he doing on their coverage ?
matt_897
17 Feb 2010, 20:34
Compared Seven's last couple of efforts with the Winter Olympics where they basically provided with no live coverage at all, Nine's coverage is good. A little disappointed they cut the coverage to 3 hours in the last couple of days but it's been alright. I haven't been watching the nightime highlights, supposedly they have been awful.
The Old Dark Navy's
17 Feb 2010, 20:35
I've got all the channels on Foxtel. I didn't select anything to pay the subscription for it so I assume it is part of the HD Platinum Package, because I'm not going to pay for it.
A little pointless having so many channels though as they only replay the same thing over and over until something else happens.
I like the Aussie Alert thing they have come up on the channels to let you know to change to another channel because an Aussie is about to be competing. Nice touch.
Crap. I was excited for these games but they managed to destroy it on the first day of competition.
Infact the last 2 times I've glanced at the TV all I've seen is Eddie giving what is no doubt a boring interview.
Our networks just suck at everything. Same people host everything on every network, infact part of the success of Masterchef was the judges - they were essentially unknowns and did a really good job because the food industry is their LIFE. Chick host was terrible though haha.
damochandler
17 Feb 2010, 22:19
don't have a problem with 9's coverage, the only problem i have is mick molloy and edward. 9 weren't going too be the head broadcaster for australia with these olympics, foxtel was always going to be the leader for that role. the reason why they don't have more than 3 hours of live coverage every day is.there isn't as much interest as there would be in the summer games. once the 2012 games come around the roles will be reversed..
if it was 7, they would be showing most of the sports a week after they had finished and the medals have already been given out and the athletes had flown home.
2012 will be a better coverage
Plugger35
17 Feb 2010, 22:34
Prefer Nine's Olympic coverage with Eddie to Seven's Olympic coverage with Bruce. That's not saying much though as both are pretty average.
In fairness to Nine they are hamstrung by the fact that there aren't many interesting sports/events in the Winter Olympics and so they probably have to try and pad out their coverage with interviews and bits from Mick Molloy to try to keep things interesting. .
Ice skating, luge, skiing etc are all pretty boring in large doses unless you are really into that sort of stuff, which the average Aussie isn't. The only event I've even been half interested in so far has been the snowboarding.
SunKing
17 Feb 2010, 22:39
Compared Seven's last couple of efforts with the Winter Olympics where they basically provided with no live coverage at all, Nine's coverage is good. A little disappointed they cut the coverage to 3 hours in the last couple of days but it's been alright. I haven't been watching the nightime highlights, supposedly they have been awful.
Yeh anything would be an improvement on Seven's woeful coverage.
Nine have been pretty good so far no complaints from me. But then I don't have any issues with Ed or Leila although Mick seems a bit superfluous.
And is it just me or is curling the most ridiculous sport? Whenever they show it I can't help chuckling.
Ando727
18 Feb 2010, 07:35
Nine's coverage is appalling, not for the times and event coverage, but for the commentary teams. Why would you want people like James Brayshaw and Eddie McGuire commenting on sports that they haven't even bothered to educate themselves on? They sound absolutely embarrassing. James Brayshaw just resorts to extreme guttural cheers - especially in the snowboarding. He's says nothing of value, just reads the scoreboard and says, " what about that for a run?".
Eddie is even worse because he is so parochial he actually whinges about the Aussies getting ripped off in his interviews with the defeated Aussie athlete concerned. Of course, the athlete doesn't want to be an ungracious loser, but Eddie keeps on whinging. He doesn't even understand the events he's complaining about. He's ok as a footy commentator, but I've seen Eddie comment on F1 and other sports he doesn't understand and it's just shameful. He thinks he can comment on anything but that's showing disrespect to the intricacies of the sports.
The day coverage is actually okay although the fact they go daytime soaps and talk shows while events are still on is beyond my comprehension.
The night coverage is a disaster.
Plugger35
18 Feb 2010, 10:34
Nine's coverage is appalling, not for the times and event coverage, but for the commentary teams. Why would you want people like James Brayshaw and Eddie McGuire commenting on sports that they haven't even bothered to educate themselves on? They sound absolutely embarrassing. James Brayshaw just resorts to extreme guttural cheers - especially in the snowboarding. He's says nothing of value, just reads the scoreboard and says, " what about that for a run?".
Eddie is even worse because he is so parochial he actually whinges about the Aussies getting ripped off in his interviews with the defeated Aussie athlete concerned. Of course, the athlete doesn't want to be an ungracious loser, but Eddie keeps on whinging. He doesn't even understand the events he's complaining about. He's ok as a footy commentator, but I've seen Eddie comment on F1 and other sports he doesn't understand and it's just shameful. He thinks he can comment on anything but that's showing disrespect to the intricacies of the sports.
Again in fairness to Nine it's not like Australia has a plethora of Winter Olympics experts or ex-champions to call on. In terms of ex-gold medallists I think we only have Steven Bradbury, who won a gold medal by default, and Alisa Camplin, who sounds like a 5 year old when she speaks.
I think guys like Eddie and James Brayshaw are doing a decent enough job. They aren't pretending to be experts but are still doing their best to make the coverage interesting and entertaining. I like them both as TV presenters and commentators, they are likeable, down to earth blokes that inject passion and humour in to what they do. Give me them over Bruce McAvaney any day, Bruce might know his stuff but his sycophantic presentation and delivery style shit me to tears.
Big Cox
18 Feb 2010, 10:55
Shithouse coverage for a shithouse event. Apart from the athletes and the families I really dont see why the normal person would have any interest. For mine the Winter Olympics has always had a elitist rich snob feel to it. Quite simply every sport in the Winter Olympics is a event you can only compete in if you have alot of money. The more money the more likely you are to win.
Exhale You
18 Feb 2010, 11:17
I've got all the channels on Foxtel. I didn't select anything to pay the subscription for it so I assume it is part of the HD Platinum Package, because I'm not going to pay for it.
They won't advertise it, but they're giving the channels to long term subscribers (five years is the figure, from memory).
WTF is he doing on their coverage ?
No idea. Perhaps they are trying to do what Channel 7 (successfully) did with Roy and HG with their olympic coverage????
This was a pearler from last night.. tuned in again.. Jaqui Cooper was on talking about her past injuries/troubles with her event. Thats ok, seemed kind of interesting, till I heard this pathetic exchange:
Eddie: "Oh and you did your rehab with the Collingwood Football Club at the LEXUS CENTRE"
Jaqui: "Yeah I did....... blah blah"
-thought i would let the collingwood bullshit mention pass till-...
Jaqui: "Oh the vibe there was awesome, especially on a Monday after they won a game".
-click-
Absolute. load. of. shit. :thumbsd:
Tortilla
18 Feb 2010, 11:25
James Brayshaw are doing a decent enough job.
James was commentating a race with 4 contestants, one of which was an aussie. So he really only had to concentrate on 1 person.
The race starts and he starts calling that the aussie is in front, when in fact he is 3rd and actually falls. He didn't even see him fall.
Eddie is even worse because he is so parochial he actually whinges about the Aussies getting ripped off in his interviews with the defeated Aussie athlete concerned. Of course, the athlete doesn't want to be an ungracious loser, but Eddie keeps on whinging. He doesn't even understand the events he's complaining about. but I've seen Eddie comment on F1 and other sports he doesn't understand and it's just shameful. He thinks he can comment on anything but that's showing disrespect to the intricacies of the sports.
Will not watch anything this guy is on. Fugstick of the highest order - God I hope Nein don't get the footy.
Peter Sidorkiewicz
18 Feb 2010, 11:56
I haven't been watching the nightime highlights, supposedly they have been awful.
Yep they have been awful. Given its a highlight show with interviews and segments you would think there would be a little format consistency.
They show 3 competitors or around 15min for one event, then cut to a complete different event for a small period of time then back to the original event. Its is extremely frustrating and hard to watch.
Perfect example last night was Mick Molloy did an ice hockey skit with Molloy in full hockey gear playing with canadians kids. It was an OK segment with the ending funny with the kids beating up on Molloy on the ice. You would it would be a perfect introduction to show the mens ice hockey highlights for the day. Yet it delayed for about an hour or so and finally ends up being shown at 12:30am.
The Old Dark Navy's
18 Feb 2010, 12:00
They won't advertise it, but they're giving the channels to long term subscribers (five years is the figure, from memory).Beautiful. People usually give most incentives to get new subscribers on board, about time they rewarded those that stay for a while.
Plugger35
18 Feb 2010, 12:50
Shithouse coverage for a shithouse event. Apart from the athletes and the families I really dont see why the normal person would have any interest. For mine the Winter Olympics has always had a elitist rich snob feel to it. Quite simply every sport in the Winter Olympics is a event you can only compete in if you have alot of money. The more money the more likely you are to win.
Yeah quite true, most Winter Olympics sports do seem to be very elitist as far as Australia goes anyway. No coincidence there seems to be a higher than normal percentage of hyphenated names involved with the Aussie team which is normally associated with posh types. Maybe a bit different in a place like Canada where those types of winter sports are more common place.
Very hard for the average punter in Australia to relate to these types of sports/events when most don't have the money or means to partake in them themselves. I mean most Australians have probably never seen snow let alone skied, ice skated, snowboarded or played ice hockey.
Catfish Alley
18 Feb 2010, 14:02
Yeah, it's not that expensive to do these sports in most other countries. In lots of places they are raised skiing and skating for fun. Anyway, that's kind of why I like it. They are unusual sports that you don't see every day in Australia and, having tried skiing and skating before, I admire the skill.
Have they shown many medal ceremonies or just Dale receiving the silver medal ?
legend166
18 Feb 2010, 19:52
They won't advertise it, but they're giving the channels to long term subscribers (five years is the figure, from memory).
We've had Foxtel for 10+ years now and we don't have any of the channels.
Day time coverage (which I DVR'd) was okay, but the couple of nights I caught it was woeful television as only Australian commercial networks can do it. Embarrassingly bad. Underbelly bad (which is saying something).
Listening to Brayshaw trying to sound hip calling the snow boarding is cringeworthy. Reminds me of the try hard father in Modern Family.
I've got all the channels on Foxtel. I didn't select anything to pay the subscription for it so I assume it is part of the HD Platinum Package, because I'm not going to pay for it.
I'd check you next bill then... wouldn't surprise me it they charge you for it anyway.
Eddie is such an oaf. I'm not sure what's worse Bruce and his fawning or Eddie looking like a bullfrog and bustling his way through the whole coverage.
Cousin Jed
18 Feb 2010, 21:16
We've had Foxtel for 10+ years now and we don't have any of the channels.
If you get Foxtel through Telstra you don't get it. (like me)
Admiral Afterworld
19 Feb 2010, 00:12
9 weren't going too be the head broadcaster for australia with these olympics, foxtel was always going to be the leader for that role
...
there isn't as much interest as there would be in the summer games. once the 2012 games come around the roles will be reversed..
Foxtel are going to be doing the 24/7, multiple channels setup for the London Games as well, in addition to Nine almost certainly doing their own 24/7 broadcast. So I'm not sure what you're on about with this "head broadcaster/leader" stuff - they aren't working to complement each other.
Nine is targeting the casual/normal free-to-air viewer, Foxtel is targeting those who are more interested in the sports. They're sharing feeds and commentators (probably, I don't have the Foxtel channels), but they're going for different audiences.
damochandler
19 Feb 2010, 08:43
Foxtel are going to be doing the 24/7, multiple channels setup for the London Games as well, in addition to Nine almost certainly doing their own 24/7 broadcast. So I'm not sure what you're on about with this "head broadcaster/leader" stuff - they aren't working to complement each other.
Nine is targeting the casual/normal free-to-air viewer, Foxtel is targeting those who are more interested in the sports. They're sharing feeds and commentators (probably, I don't have the Foxtel channels), but they're going for different audiences.
i meant that 9 wasn't going to have a full on coverage and foxtel was going to take that mantle. foxtel will probably only show the mickey mouse sports live in 2012 games, like sbs showed in the past 2 summer games and 9 will get the bigger events.
Roachy8
19 Feb 2010, 09:07
WTF is he doing on their coverage ?
Re Mick Molloy...
Obviously some poor mans attempt at an irreverent & light hearted look at the games ala classic Roy & HG in the past.
Falls pretty flat which is a pity because when 'un-sanitised' by commercial requirements Molloy can be OK.
To be honest, I found the stuff with Molloy and Phil Liggett pretty funny last night. Was made even better by Eddie's comment that Phil has called all the greats like "Armstrong... and all the greats." :D
Exhale You
19 Feb 2010, 09:33
We've had Foxtel for 10+ years now and we don't have any of the channels.
Through Telstra? As CJ said, the free channels aren't on offer to those who subscribe through Telstra.
To be honest, I found the stuff with Molloy and Phil Liggett pretty funny last night. Was made even better by Eddie's comment that Phil has called all the greats like "Armstrong... and all the greats." :D
Ditto this.
You could almost see Eddie's mind ticking over trying to recall one more name that Liggett would have called in the Tour De France
Admiral Afterworld
19 Feb 2010, 17:02
i meant that 9 wasn't going to have a full on coverage and foxtel was going to take that mantle. foxtel will probably only show the mickey mouse sports live in 2012 games, like sbs showed in the past 2 summer games and 9 will get the bigger events.
I could be wrong (though probably not) but with the exception of the opening and closing ceremonies Nine and Foxtel are letting each other have free reign in terms of what each decides to broadcast, even if they 'repeat/copy' each other.
ByeByeBrendan
19 Feb 2010, 17:38
James was commentating a race with 4 contestants, one of which was an aussie. So he really only had to concentrate on 1 person.
The race starts and he starts calling that the aussie is in front, when in fact he is 3rd and actually falls. He didn't even see him fall.
He has been pathetic hasn't he? He never knows wtf is going on and he is always getting muddled or focusing on the wrong thing.
It was excruciating having to listen to him call the half pipe today. He obviously has no idea about the sport (which is fine and understandable - providing you stay away from commentating it), so he just sits there yelling 'BANG!' and pretending to get all excited whenever something happens but really having no idea what it all means.
If you can't provide any insight into what is happening beyond reading out the competitors names, what is the point of you being there? It is akin to Underwood's commentating when she simply just announces who has the ball/just disposed of it. They are things the viewer can determine themselves, it just makes for having a voice talking all the time simply for the sake of it.
damochandler
19 Feb 2010, 18:17
I could be wrong (though probably not) but with the exception of the opening and closing ceremonies Nine and Foxtel are letting each other have free reign in terms of what each decides to broadcast, even if they 'repeat/copy' each other.
that's what they are doing these game, it will change when 2012 comes around. 9 will have a miore indepth coverage and they will cover the sprots with most interest in the public eye i reckon. fox will get the soccer games, weightlifting, archery and all the other sports you don't really see in olympic coverage. thats how i see it happening
Can't really comment on 9's coverage as I have been watching the Foxtel coverage, and all I can say it has been very good. And the fact that you log in and watch the live stream over the internet is an added bonus.
He has been pathetic hasn't he? He never knows wtf is going on and he is always getting muddled or focusing on the wrong thing.
It was excruciating having to listen to him call the half pipe today. He obviously has no idea about the sport (which is fine and understandable - providing you stay away from commentating it), so he just sits there yelling 'BANG!' and pretending to get all excited whenever something happens but really having no idea what it all means.
If you can't provide any insight into what is happening beyond reading out the competitors names, what is the point of you being there? It is akin to Underwood's commentating when she simply just announces who has the ball/just disposed of it. They are things the viewer can determine themselves, it just makes for having a voice talking all the time simply for the sake of it.
"hoooge air"
yes james we can see its a huge air but any chance you know what the trick is called.
handy point
19 Feb 2010, 21:46
Gawd, that whole segment with the Canadian speedskater girl who was apparently half Australian was cringeworthy.
The one who left our shores when 6 weeks old... half Australian is a bit rich.
hirdy_is_champ
20 Feb 2010, 09:52
Speaking of Molloy, I actually haven't minded his work, his usually shit house but I liked when he was talking about Johnny Weir (gayest bloke ever, but incredibly amusing)
Bombers_Forever
20 Feb 2010, 11:18
I can't believe anyone still employs Molloy. He was only funny with Tony Martin.
Phil Ligget - can someone clone him? He could commentate on absolutely anything and do a great job.
lifelike_
20 Feb 2010, 12:15
Ken Sutcliffe and Leila McKinnon are making Eddie look bearable.
I'm surprised Nine haven't wheeled out Peter Harvey yet.
He has been pathetic hasn't he? He never knows wtf is going on and he is always getting muddled or focusing on the wrong thing.
He's just plain annoying. He obviously doesn't know what he's talking about, so he just tries to hide it behind pointless yelling.
The one who left our shores when 6 weeks old... half Australian is a bit rich.
Haha, they'll cling to anything.
Gods_Son23
20 Feb 2010, 15:41
I think it's been an okay coverage apart from some of the late night interviews going too long. Like when Eddie was trying to get Dale Begg Smith to all but say he was robbed of a gold medal about 5 times. Also I would like to see more sports more often, who needs to see two hours straight of skeleton or luge. Give us a break in between with some curling, ice hockey or something else...
Also I would like to see more sports more often, who needs to see two hours stright of skeleton or luge.
I do! :thumbsu:
ExTasDeeMan
21 Feb 2010, 09:29
Watched Best in Show last night, amazing similarites between Fred Willard and the substitute experts on 9.
ladies Skeleton - my god those chicks have got the goods.
He took a few days to get some publicity [perhaps he was busy preparing his frock for saturday nights march] but the drama queen from NSW has bobbed up :rolleyes:
EDDIE McGuire and Mick Molloy's allegedly homophobic mocking of male ice skaters during the Nine Network's coverage of the Winter Olympics will be investigated by the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB).
It follows a complaint made against the presenters by Sydney gay rights activist Gary Burns.
Link (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/anti-discrimination-board-to-investigate-eddie-mcguire-and-mick-molloy-over-alleged-homophobic-comments-made-during-winter-olympics-coverage/story-e6frf7jo-1225834734776)
Even gays and lesos must be sick of this idiot bitching over every minor thing.What a pain in the arse he must be to live with.
Already dreading the Nine coverage next year for the 2012 Olympic Games with more Eddie. Will be considering Foxtel for a much better coverage.