Tour Down Under Broadcast Rights

[Old Nomad]

Why did the organisers of the Tour Down Under choose to sell the TV rights to Ch9? In WA we never saw the last stage due to the cricket, just a one hour 'highlight' programme late in the evening. In Australia, SBS is the only TV channel that knows how and when cycling should be broadcast. If one was cynical, one could say that Ch9 only bought the rights so that they didn't lose viewers from their cricket broadcasts.

 

[wirral]

Internationally Eurosport had the rights. They showed every stage including the last stage in its entirety. Also, internationally Australia Network showed lengthy highlights.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Why did the organisers of the Tour Down Under choose to sell the TV rights to Ch9? In WA we never saw the last stage due to the cricket, just a one hour 'highlight' programme late in the evening. In Australia, SBS is the only TV channel that knows how and when cycling should be broadcast. If one was cynical, one could say that Ch9 only bought the rights so that they didn't lose viewers from their cricket broadcasts.

You didn't miss much.

I though it was on GEM, not 9.

 

[Ferminal]

Yeh it was on GEM in WA... I was heading out so recorded it but didn't even bother watching it, instadelete.

 

[DonMI6]

Here in NSW, the Wilunga Hill stage was on 9, the others were on GEM. All part of the same network aren't they? SBS does a great job of covering cycling, but I didn't miss Mr Tomalaris.

 

[Madone]

I can only say that this race should not be a World Tour race when they choose this solution, a WT race should be for all or most of the world and not only a very little amount of viewers.

It´s a decent race but not more then that, not close to Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice probably why Cookson are talking about changes in the future.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Here in NSW, the Wilunga Hill stage was on 9, the others were on GEM. All part of the same network aren't they? SBS does a great job of covering cycling, but I didn't miss Mr Tomalaris.

Yes, 9 and GEM are same network, just different digital channels.

I think having it appear on the big commercial networks is a good thing as it will get more exposure to regular aussie sports audience, rather than a niche one, and SBS can use the resources not deployed to TDU to bring us more offshore races.

Having some network competition for the broadcast of cycle racing in Australia seems healthy to me.

 

[karlboss]

Yes, 9 and GEM are same network, just different digital channels.

I think having it appear on the big commercial networks is a good thing as it will get more exposure to regular aussie sports audience, rather than a niche one, and SBS can use the resources not deployed to TDU to bring us more offshore races.

Having some network competition for the broadcast of cycle racing in Australia seems healthy to me.

Boatloads better than last years coverage, all stages live on GEM for the 3 hours? and streamed and then 1.5 hour highlights in the evening. Commentary was phil and paul, at least you know what you're getting. Enjoyed the recaps during the race to set up the situation, though they could do with a little polish. My big complaint was the production lacked cycling knowledge. Cutting to commercials or one of the recaps I enjoy when they are about to swing from a headwind into a side wind or start an important climb of the day really took away from any tension you could have built.
Overall a big improvement, lets see where they go from here.

If you want to see horrible coverage check out SBS coverage of NRS races, a 6 minute recap for over 100km cycling.

 

[42x16ss]

I was glad that 9/Gem went to the trouble of getting Robbie McEwen in for a large part of the commentary to help break up P & P. I thought he presents well as a commentator and his rapport and fimiliarity with the riders helped make interviews quite good too - infinitely better than Tomolaris and Tan who are cringeworthy at best (have either ever even touched a bicycle?).

The race and the broadcast still have a fair way to go but it is most certainly heading in the right direction, especially judging by the crowds for some of the stages.

 

[DonMI6]

McEwan was good, very natural, knows the sport inside out. I could imagine him teaming up well with Matt Keenan. SBS probably couldn't afford him though!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I can only say that this race should not be a World Tour race when they choose this solution, a WT race should be for all or most of the world and not only a very little amount of viewers.

It´s a decent race but not more then that, not close to Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice probably why Cookson are talking about changes in the future.

None of those two races makes money. If it wasn't for ASO and RCS applying the bank account they would probably just go away.

So ask yourself how come these two prestigious events aren't going too well? Is it lack of local support, poor promotion, are they just marketing tools for better things to come, poor sales tactics for broadcasting rights, calendar issues etc.?

In contrast the TDU is running very well. The event is growing and appears to at least break even.

 

[Ferminal]

I was glad that 9/Gem went to the trouble of getting Robbie McEwen in for a large part of the commentary to help break up P & P.

He even understands racing more than anyone I've ever heard before in the media. Not bad for a meathead sprinter.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Why did the organisers of the Tour Down Under choose to sell the TV rights to Ch9? In WA we never saw the last stage due to the cricket, just a one hour 'highlight' programme late in the evening. In Australia, SBS is the only TV channel that knows how and when cycling should be broadcast. If one was cynical, one could say that Ch9 only bought the rights so that they didn't lose viewers from their cricket broadcasts.

WA does not get a good deal by SBS either for many races anyway. For someone who lives in Melbourne, Channel 9's coverage has been far superior but I wouldnt want them to broadcast any other events.

 

[jens_attacks]

i agree that robbie mcewen is one of the best commentators i've heard. really knows about the sport plus he's clever and can talk

 

[movingtarget]

I'd say Channel 9 offered more for the rights. The usual reason. It's better than nothing but with the constant ad breaks and tourism plugs how much racing do you actually see. I would rather watch it on Eurosport Pacific but they did not have it of course as 9 has the rights in this region. But then not everyone is willing to pay for Foxtel.

 

[Marcus135]

The race organisers and the city of Adelaide government always wanted channel 9 to broadcast the race from when it originally started, they just had to wait until it was big enough for channel 9 to actually want to broadcast.

I can only say that this race should not be a World Tour race when they choose this solution, a WT race should be for all or most of the world and not only a very little amount of viewers.

It´s a decent race but not more then that, not close to Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice probably why Cookson are talking about changes in the future.

Stop being silly, the race brings hundreds of thousands of people to Adelaide to view live (believe me, i was there the last three years and you can hardly move on any of the climbs, they even had to stop people entering corkscrew road 30-40 mins before the race came through as there was already to many people on the side of the road.) and many more viewed on the TV with the ratings much much higher than previous years. Internationally its on eurosport for all to see.

Australia is consistently ranked as one of the top 5 nations in worldtour points, it's only right that it has at least one world tour race.

 

[Ferminal]

I love pretending that the WT actually means something in a sporting sense. It's only of administrative value (and one could argue that is a negative) and as a fan who sides with more "traditional" arguments, the last thing I want to see is a WT that carries sporting value.

 

[42x16ss]

McEwan was good, very natural, knows the sport inside out. I could imagine him teaming up well with Matt Keenan. SBS probably couldn't afford him though!

I dunno, Robbie is pretty friendly with Matt, Scott McGrory and Wade Wallace, appearing on their internet show the "The Bike Lane" a few times now (check cyclingtips.com to see). How awesome would it be if someone took a chance on those four!!

 

[movingtarget]

He even understands racing more than anyone I've ever heard before in the media. Not bad for a meathead sprinter.

Yeah he is always good and most of his race predictions come true. It's easier as a guest commentator to make it interesting as opposed to someone trying to keep it interesting for hours. But his insights are usually on the money and he doesn't play favourites.