Tour Down Under TV Rights

[PCutter]

And no, we did not get the classic live last year in britain. Which was strange, as the tv package apparently comes as one big deal yet in britain they showed the last two stages live and highlights of the rest. No classic live.

Likely reason for this is that the 'classic' isn't part of the TdU. It's a separate race and not inlcuded in the TdU as crits aren't allowed in WT races (possibly any UCI race - but not sure on this), so it wouldn't be part of a TdU package.

To save you any concern i'll give you the highlights of the crit now. Bang...couple of guys try and jump, get in a break, GE contols the peleton, break not given a lot of time....break caught with lap to go, pace lifted, bunch sprint. And the winner is....Australian. Or someone who's spent the winter in Oz training. Highlights package over.

 

[craig1985]

personally, as an international viewer, i think 2 live stages and a bunch of highlights is fine. Theres really no point showing full live coverage of the early stages (although going to them live for the final 30km wouldnt hurt).

Im just struggling to see what acf's issue is. the coverage appears to be the same, and appears that a greater portion of the australian public will now be able to see the race. Of course, not being australian I dont really know what im talking about.

ACF won't rest until the TDU is in Victoria. Not like if the TDU was moved to Victoria would the race be any better.

 

[auscyclefan94]

ACF won't rest until the TDU is in Victoria. Not like if the TDU was moved to Victoria would the race be any better.

No, it is not about that. TDU will never come to Melbourne because of the Sun Tour. The Vic Govt puts a lot of money into the Sun Tour so why would it bring the TDU to Melb?

Anyway, I am little annoyed at TSF's attitude and his thinking that 'he knows more than me'. Firstly, have you read the comments from Australians on twitter, this forum or news sites about this? It has mostly been very negative feedback on CH 9 getting it. The fact that I live in Australia and you don't indicates that I might just know a little bit more about an Australian TV channel than you Mr Smarty Pants. Pull your head in please.

 

[Anonymous]

No, it is not about that. TDU will never come to Melbourne because of the Sun Tour. The Vic Govt puts a lot of money into the Sun Tour so why would it bring the TDU to Melb?

Anyway, I am little annoyed at TSF's attitude and his thinking that 'he knows more than me'. Firstly, have you read the comments from Australians on twitter, this forum or news sites about this? It has mostly been very negative feedback on CH 9 getting it. The fact that I live in Australia and you don't indicates that I might just know a little bit more about an Australian TV channel than you Mr Smarty Pants. Pull your head in please.

I nowhere have said that I know more than you. What I said, is based on us both reading the same press releases and the same statements, i do not necessarily know less than you.

The press release clearly says it will be shown on channel 9. Anything you may say contradictory to that is purely based on your own speculation not because you are australian or have a wealth of knowledge on australian tv.

As for twitter, you and I both know that is full of mainly idiotic ramblings, but even then, peoples negative comments are based on their personal opinion of channel 9, not because they know that it definately wont be shown on channel 9 as you claim because they will be showing cricket. I have never commented on the quality of programming on C9 v SBS, what i commented on was your assertion that it will not be shown on C9 when according to the press release that both you and I have read it clearly says it will.

Now wind your neck in. (which is the correct statement, what pull your head in is supposed to mean I have no idea)

again, i did not say I knew more than you, and you being australian has no impact whatsoever on my ability to read a press release and use google.

 

[daveinzambia]

Actually, this is true. One of the key issues with sports being covered on SBS is that a large portion of Australia (ie. outside major cities) don't receive SBS. Channel 9 however does have far broader coverage through the affiliated regional WIN network.

Whilst we will no doubt have to put up with some muppet generalist sports caster topping and tailing the (Phil and Paul) coverage, for me I think this is offset by the fact that road cycling is seen as being mainstream enough in Australia that Channel 9 has picked it up.

OK. did not know that. obviously arguing from the point of someone who rarely leaves Sydney city centre.

I still see the biggest loss as being the online streaming. personally a lot of the racing actually happens when i am at work on travelling home so a lack of live TV coverage during the week will not be a great loss and think there will be live coverage on the weekend.

i think there will be a daily highlights show but it is going to be on much later. cannot see channel 9 shuffling their evening schedule to fit in cycling at 6pm. will more likely be shown at 11.

 

[daveinzambia]

personally, as an international viewer, i think 2 live stages and a bunch of highlights is fine. Theres really no point showing full live coverage of the early stages (although going to them live for the final 30km wouldnt hurt).

Im just struggling to see what acf's issue is. the coverage appears to be the same, and appears that a greater portion of the australian public will now be able to see the race. Of course, not being australian I dont really know what im talking about.

I think the big difference is no matter what the press release says, those of us in Australia know what channel 9 is like and have seen their recent form on covering some sports.

for example SBS evening highlights usually means 6pm, for Channel 9 it is likely to mean 11pm. will have to wait and see but based on experience of channel 9 the coverage is likely to go down hill.

also from reading the release only the stages shown live on TV will be streamed live on web. whereas SBS would have streamed everything.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the big difference is no matter what the press release says, those of us in Australia know what channel 9 is like and have seen their recent form on covering some sports.

for example SBS evening highlights usually means 6pm, for Channel 9 it is likely to mean 11pm. will have to wait and see but based on experience of channel 9 the coverage is likely to go down hill.

also from reading the release only the stages shown live on TV will be streamed live on web. whereas SBS would have streamed everything.

How come when you say it it comes across as a knowledgable well considered opinion but when ACF says it it comes across of a whining diatribe of nonsense

 

[craig1985]

I nowhere have said that I know more than you. What I said, is based on us both reading the same press releases and the same statements, i do not necessarily know less than you.

The press release clearly says it will be shown on channel 9. Anything you may say contradictory to that is purely based on your own speculation not because you are australian or have a wealth of knowledge on australian tv.

As for twitter, you and I both know that is full of mainly idiotic ramblings, but even then, peoples negative comments are based on their personal opinion of channel 9, not because they know that it definately wont be shown on channel 9 as you claim because they will be showing cricket. I have never commented on the quality of programming on C9 v SBS, what i commented on was your assertion that it will not be shown on C9 when according to the press release that both you and I have read it clearly says it will.

Now wind your neck in. (which is the correct statement, what pull your head in is supposed to mean I have no idea)

again, i did not say I knew more than you, and you being australian has no impact whatsoever on my ability to read a press release and use google.

It means the same thing. Or you could say 'Turn it up' when you think somebody is full of ****.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It means the same thing. Or you could say 'Turn it up' when you think somebody is full of ****.

Thank you Craig. Also, Pull your head in is a perfectly correct way to convey such a message. Never heard of "wind your neck in". Sounds plain stupid.

EDIT: Again CH 9 shows how average their coverage of the sport is. They cross from the President's Cup Golf tournament to a repeat of Hot Seat Millionaire. Surprise, surprise...

 

[Tuarts]

Channel 9 follow their fantastic RWC coverage with their President's Cup broadcast. Excited to watch the climatic plays of the day? Don't be, watch a pre-recorded Who Want's to be a Millionaire show instead.

 

[Anonymous]

NSW Criterium GP Series - 26th & 27th Nov 2011. Both races will be televised on CH9. You often get a great field in this series although it has been shortened due to lack of Govt funding.
.

Damn that channel 9 showing little criteriums on a primetime weekend.

"The Tour down under will be shown as part of the Wide World Of Sports program and is expected to be nightly at around 1900h"

 

[Tuarts]

WWOS is a blanket statement they use to cover all of their sports coverage. If I (over in the west) will be able to watch the GP's then I'll eat a cycling cap.

 

[sublimit]

Thank you Craig. Also, Pull your head in is a perfectly correct way to convey such a message. Never heard of "wind your neck in". Sounds plain stupid.

EDIT: Again CH 9 shows how average their coverage of the sport is. They cross from the President's Cup Golf tournament to a repeat of Hot Seat Millionaire. Surprise, surprise...

Apparently your guy won (Adam Scott against Tiger woods in the doubles or whatever it was)
Ahh hang on it was all down to the kiwi Steve Williams again.

 

[richtea]

As long as it doesn't appear on Eurosport, I'll be happy.

 

[daveinzambia]

Seems the doubts were somewhat justified.

1 hour daily highlights, but at 11.30pm. which means with early starts i will not be seeing highlights till 24 hours after I would have seen them on SBS.

and no live coverage of the cancer classic (which i am sure was on TV last year)

last 2 stages live though which is good, and 1 hour highlights is better than nothing i guess

 

[thehog]

Seems the doubts were somewhat justified.

1 hour daily highlights, but at 11.30pm. which means with early starts i will not be seeing highlights till 24 hours after I would have seen them on SBS.

and no live coverage of the cancer classic (which i am sure was on TV last year)

last 2 stages live though which is good, and 1 hour highlights is better than nothing i guess

Don't blame Channel 9. Blame Turter for selling off the rights to the highest bidder without stipulating programming timing. Any good marketer would want the best coverage for the race over TV rights fees.

But this is the TDU where they have to pay their MASSIVE travel bill to get the riders to the race. Nothing surprises me.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Don't blame Channel 9. Blame Turter for selling off the rights to the highest bidder without stipulating programming timing. Any good marketer would want the best coverage for the race over TV rights fees.

But this is the TDU where they have to pay their MASSIVE travel bill to get the riders to the race. Nothing surprises me.

Channel 9 could of put the hourly highlights on GEM or GO at a more reasonable time. Those Channels just play repeats of an average show being Two and a Half men and a decent show Big Bang Theory.

 

[blaxland]

Don't blame Channel 9. Blame Turter for selling off the rights to the highest bidder without stipulating programming timing. Any good marketer would want the best coverage for the race over TV rights fees.

But this is the TDU where they have to pay their MASSIVE travel bill to get the riders to the race. Nothing surprises me.

Spot on Mick Turtur has all to blame,Sellout...Lets just wait and hope that channel nine might surprise...

 

[auscyclefan94]

to be fair to channel 9, they are providing longer highlights packages which means we won't get the highly edited highlights sbs provided that were full of interviews and ads and very little racing highlights.

 

[thehog]

Spot on Mick Turtur has all to blame,Sellout...Lets just wait and hope that channel nine might surprise...

Correct. Generally a TV rights deal will be structured to give the even the most publicity. Often you take a lower bid to get your event on prime time as you would with SBS.

My thinking is Channel 9 outbid all so they wouldn't have to compete against the TDU with their own programming. Then they show it at a later time to pick ratings figures in a later slot.

Turter shouldn't have taken 9 without them agreeing to some live stages and prime time broadcasting of each stage.

 

[Ferminal]

Then they show it at a later time to pick ratings figures in a later slot.

Turter shouldn't have taken 9 without them agreeing to some live stages and prime time broadcasting of each stage.

Do you think the highlights package of a midweek stage at 1730 on SBS really appealed to the mainstream and provided great exposure? Everyone is busy, or watching 'deal or no deal' or whatever they show at that time on the commercial stations. 2330 on Nine provides greater mainstream exposure than 1730 on SBS. Although it is disappointing for the many cycling fans who will not be able to watch the highlights at night or even the morning after, but they are only highlights, it's hardly worth avoiding the result waiting for a poorly edited highlights package 5 hours later.

The two days live will be covered for the same length as previous years. Also, Nine are actually broadcasting it live across the country, which SBS had failed to do. Again, there will also be far better mainstream exposure on a saturday morning/afternoon on Nine than they ever would have received on SBS.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Do you think the highlights package of a midweek stage at 1730 on SBS really appealed to the mainstream and provided great exposure? Everyone is busy, or watching 'deal or no deal' or whatever they show at that time on the commercial stations. 2330 on Nine provides greater mainstream exposure than 1730 on SBS. (snip)

5:30pm on SBS wasn't ideal but 11:30pm on Nine is simply way too late for most people who need to get up for work the next day at 6:00am. The time itself isn't better now. If people see sport on at 5:30pm they will definitely choose that over a repeat of a game show.

 

[daveinzambia]

Do you think the highlights package of a midweek stage at 1730 on SBS really appealed to the mainstream and provided great exposure? Everyone is busy, or watching 'deal or no deal' or whatever they show at that time on the commercial stations. 2330 on Nine provides greater mainstream exposure than 1730 on SBS. Although it is disappointing for the many cycling fans who will not be able to watch the highlights at night or even the morning after, but they are only highlights, it's hardly worth avoiding the result waiting for a poorly edited highlights package 5 hours later.

The two days live will be covered for the same length as previous years. Also, Nine are actually broadcasting it live across the country, which SBS had failed to do. Again, there will also be far better mainstream exposure on a saturday morning/afternoon on Nine than they ever would have received on SBS.

OK, so maybe i was looking from a purely selfish perspective. 5.30 highlights I can record and watch when i get home. 11.30 means i will not see till i get home the next day. But for general Audience (not cyclist who are up at 5.30) maybe it is better, and imagine the impact of having country wide live coverage of two weekend stages on Channel 9 will be worth it.

 

[Ferminal]

OK, so maybe i was looking from a purely selfish perspective. 5.30 highlights I can record and watch when i get home. 11.30 means i will not see till i get home the next day. But for general Audience (not cyclist who are up at 5.30) maybe it is better, and imagine the impact of having country wide live coverage of two weekend stages on Channel 9 will be worth it.

It's ok, I'm being selfish too, first time I can watch it live on Saturday on the TV

 

[ramjambunath]

How about radio streams? Will grandstand be doing it?