This is fantastic news for rugby league supporters...don't be so biased... have a look at other codes too and appreciate that there are skills and enjoyment in soccer, union, rugby league, etc. AFL IS NOT THE BE ALL END ALL.
Sorry if I sound as if I got on my high horse, but having this channel for rugby league is great for the Victorians who follow league and there are thousands of them, and not all Storm supporters (as I am) there are ex-pats here to from NSW and Q'ld. etc. people who like an alternative code and some of them still go afl a go as well.
You have to realise Ch.9 who has the rights for r/league is Melbourne are headed by a biased afl supporter who won't give r/l and Storm a go here in Melb. thus they cannot hardly see their team on Ch.9 unless they have pay-tv.
I just hope when the r/l rights are finished with Ch.9, the NRL approach Ch.7 then perhaps r/league will get a better coverage in Melbourne.
It will be interesting how many afl games will be shown on Ch.9 next year and whether they suddenly go to news when an important goal is about to be kicked.
At least with AFL cH.10 WILL BE broadcasting games as well.
As far as Optus is concerned, it was public pressure to get NRL back, both here in Vic. and Qld. and NSW ,,, they would have lost heaps if not nearly all their 200,000+ subscribers. The deal is for this year only so far and they will review it next year.
When Optus had a full AFL STATION and they dropped it to just covering the games, not too many people dropped off, but when Nrl was to be taken off they had a HUGE BACKLASH.
I for one will switch to Foxtel next year if not NRL is broadcast.
Don't forget Optus this year still has the AFL.
Cheers everyone and GO STORM.