SKY deal good news for fans
April 09, 2009
Rugby fans should be celebrating the decision to hand SKY the rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
While the deal has already been criticised in some areas, it is set to be a win-win situation for fans; whether you're a SKY TV subscriber or not.
If you are a subscriber, you are now guaranteed live coverage of all 48 tournament matches.
But those who don't have the pay TV network won't be left out in the cold.
Rugby World Cup Limited are now in the throes of confirming a secondary deal for free-to-air coverage for 16 matches.
And despite comments made in some sections of the media, that deal will ensure all New Zealand rugby fans have the chance to watch All Blacks matches and the eight matches in the tournament's knock-out phase live and free-to-air.
While there might be some who don't see the significance of the announcement, when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in 2011 the TV coverage that is provided will be one of the major talking points of the tournament.
The amount of message board posts, angry letters to the editor, stories in the daily media and calls to Radio Sport over TV3's coverage two years ago is testament to that.
And one of the great things about SKY getting the rights is that they have the resources, including extra channels, to do the tournament justice.
Free-to-air TV has consistently failed big-time with the marquee sporting events they have had rights for.
As far as I am concerned, the more events that a specialist sports broadcaster like SKY can secure, the better.
Free-to-air TV has to juggle a multitude of factors which hold it back; including designated news breaks, popular shows which they are reluctant to shift and a lack of regular experience in covering big events.
That won't be a problem when SKY takes a hold of coverage in 2011.
The big question that now remains is just who will be behind the microphone come World Cup final time in 2011.
Who would you like to hear?
The current SKY commentary and sideline eye team consists of the likes of Grant Nisbett, Murray Mexted, Grant Fox, Tony Johnson, Ian Smith, Willie Lose and Stu Wilson.
The 2007 World Cup broadcasting rights were held by TV3.
And their game caller Hamish Mckay has been linked with a possible shift to SKY in the time for the tournament.
For mine, I would love SKY to call on veteran Kiwi broadcaster Keith Quinn for a timely World Cup comeback.
Few New Zealand TV commentators can come close to what Quinn has offered up to fans over the years.
Are you happy with SKY gaining the broadcasting rights?
And would you too like Quinnie behind the microphone in 2011? Or should SKY go after Mckay?
While the deal has already been criticised in some areas, it is set to be a win-win situation for fans; whether you're a SKY TV subscriber or not.
If you are a subscriber, you are now guaranteed live coverage of all 48 tournament matches.
But those who don't have the pay TV network won't be left out in the cold.
Rugby World Cup Limited are now in the throes of confirming a secondary deal for free-to-air coverage for 16 matches.
And despite comments made in some sections of the media, that deal will ensure all New Zealand rugby fans have the chance to watch All Blacks matches and the eight matches in the tournament's knock-out phase live and free-to-air.
While there might be some who don't see the significance of the announcement, when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in 2011 the TV coverage that is provided will be one of the major talking points of the tournament.
The amount of message board posts, angry letters to the editor, stories in the daily media and calls to Radio Sport over TV3's coverage two years ago is testament to that.
And one of the great things about SKY getting the rights is that they have the resources, including extra channels, to do the tournament justice.
Free-to-air TV has consistently failed big-time with the marquee sporting events they have had rights for.
As far as I am concerned, the more events that a specialist sports broadcaster like SKY can secure, the better.
Free-to-air TV has to juggle a multitude of factors which hold it back; including designated news breaks, popular shows which they are reluctant to shift and a lack of regular experience in covering big events.
That won't be a problem when SKY takes a hold of coverage in 2011.
The big question that now remains is just who will be behind the microphone come World Cup final time in 2011.
Who would you like to hear?
The current SKY commentary and sideline eye team consists of the likes of Grant Nisbett, Murray Mexted, Grant Fox, Tony Johnson, Ian Smith, Willie Lose and Stu Wilson.
The 2007 World Cup broadcasting rights were held by TV3.
And their game caller Hamish Mckay has been linked with a possible shift to SKY in the time for the tournament.
For mine, I would love SKY to call on veteran Kiwi broadcaster Keith Quinn for a timely World Cup comeback.
Few New Zealand TV commentators can come close to what Quinn has offered up to fans over the years.
Are you happy with SKY gaining the broadcasting rights?
And would you too like Quinnie behind the microphone in 2011? Or should SKY go after Mckay?
As a Sky Digital Subscriber, I am happy with the broadcasting rights being given to them, simply because I thought TV3 did a shocking job.
Sky not only has 3 sports channels, there is the Rugby Channel + Sky Sport Highlights, which will be good for catching up on games you missed or couldn't be bothered watching, like Aussie vs. England, Aussie vs. France and just plain old games with Aussies in it . . .
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