NRL Channel 9 to show Melbourne Storm free-to-air games live locally

[Aucklander]

Amazing

THE rare sight of rugby league on Channel 9 on Sunday afternoon was not just a tease, with the network having assured Melbourne Storm that all of its free-to-air games would be shown live locally this season.

Nine used Sunday's grand final rematch between New Zealand Warriors and Manly as a lead-in to the first one-day cricket final, prompting local league fans to scratch their heads in confusion.

Last week's Round 1 matches on Thursday and Friday nights were not shown in Melbourne until well after midnight.

They were played as the NRL announced two games a week would be shown live in the US, adding to live coverage as far afield as Africa.

"But you can't watch it live in Melbourne. That doesn't seem right to me," Storm coach Craig Bellamy wrote in The Australian on Saturday.

Too little too late for 9? Will it impact on home game crowds?

It's a start, but it only goes part of the way to promoting the game properly in Melbourne.

 

[tugga]

So are they? It still doesn't have any direct quote from 9 saying they will.

 

[pantskyle]

Too late I would think. The TV rights are going elsewhere.

 

[storm fan]

Too little too late nine.

 

[red+black]

"It's believed ..."

"But that commitment ..."

A 'commitment' to something a journalist 'believes'? Hmmmm

 

[Andrew Mc]

I'm still trying to get over the fact they showed Manly v Warriors live here. Still would be nice to see some live FTA footy here (even if it is the Storm ). It isn't that long ago that the only place you could see Origin live was at the casino.

 

[red+black]

Yeah I remember quite a few years ago looking for where I could watch SoO live. There was a pub in Richmond that was fairly popular when the SoO was on.

 

[Rankine2Rachele]

I'm still trying to get over the fact they showed Manly v Warriors live here. Still would be nice to see some live FTA footy here (even if it is the Storm ). It isn't that long ago that the only place you could see Origin live was at the casino.

It was live here in Adelaide too, which was awesome. They usually screen games more like around midnight here.

 

[CooperCronk]

Ch.9 are just throwing out some crumbs before the tv rights deal!

How can anyone trust them to look after league fans in afl states after so many years of neglect.

 

[Cleavy]

regardless of which channel they show it on (if they even show it at all), they still have to promote it, which they won't.

 

[storm fan]

regardless of which channel they show it on (if they even show it at all), they still have to promote it, which they won't.

Are you suggesting that whichever channel wins the rights won't promote the game or the NRL won't promote the game? If the latter what are you basing this on?

 

[CooperCronk]

11.44pm and still no rugby league games on Ch.9.

 

[RooBoyz24]

Lets hope Foxtel get the rights with Ch 10.Foxtel every game Live and channel 10 do a Ch 7(Aka AFL).I would be rapt to see every Melb Storm Game Live.Wonder how much the NRL will want for these rights.

 

[Cleavy]

regardless of which channel they show it on (if they even show it at all), they still have to promote it, which they won't.

Are you suggesting that whichever channel wins the rights won't promote the game or the NRL won't promote the game? If the latter what are you basing this on?

no, just speaking of 9 (and their digital channels).

 

[storm fan]

Fair enough, cheers.

 

[CooperCronk]

So this means Ch.9 will be showing the R.4 clash Storm vs Rooster @ 2pm Sunday week.

Look out for the lack of promotion for this game

 

[balmainforever]

So this means Ch.9 will be showing the R.4 clash Storm vs Rooster @ 2pm Sunday week.

Look out for the lack of promotion for this game

Wouldn't think so. Game is live on fox. Ch9 aren't doing that game

 

[storm fan]

The round 4 Sunday game on ch 9 is Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights.

 

[CooperCronk]

The round 4 Sunday game on ch 9 is Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights.

Fair enough. So does anyone know when Ch.9 are planning to show their 1st Storm game live into Melbourne?

 

[Aucklander]

Fair enough. So does anyone know when Ch.9 are planning to show their 1st Storm game live into Melbourne?

I'm sure they'll let us know the day before hand.

 

[storm fan]

Fair enough. So does anyone know when Ch.9 are planning to show their 1st Storm game live into Melbourne?

I believe it will be the Storm v Knights on Friday night in round 5.

 

[warney7]

Yeah, this is still crap.

Sounds good, but how many Storm games will be on FTA? Going by the start of the season, maybe they'll show 5-8 games live on GEM over the entire season.

Time to let it go channel 9!

 

[CooperCronk]

I'm sure they'll let us know the day before hand.

Plenty of notice will be their criteria with lots of promotion
Man I hate that station!!

 

[Aucklander]

Plenty of notice will be their criteria with lots of promotion
Man I hate that station!!

At least we know it's on. LoL

 

[tugga]

It's still not good enough.
it's not just Storm games I want to watch. I want to watch other games as well, particularly Friday nights.
And what about supporters from other clubs who live in Melbourne?