FOX NRL Channel

I am not sure about others but I was very excited when i heard the announcement of the NRL getting its own channel. Unfortunately in my view it has not delivered as most fans would have wanted or expected. Just like so many things regarding the NRL there is untapped potential which is being under utilized.

I was thinking it would be great to be able watch more of the NSW and QLD intrust state games but it is still only 1 or 2 games per week that are available.. I understand there is a cost involved but surely with all the television recording equipment in place for 1st grade if the NSW cup game was played as a curtain raiser it would not incur much more cost to use equipment that is already at the field. The Q cup in qld is also of high quality and has a big following up here in qld and greater coverage could attract more sponsorship and interest at level of footy where money is required to keep local clubs alive. It doesn't have to be the crisp high level 20 camera operation but even some coverage is better then none.

Instead we are given ongoing replays of the same games every week during the day and the same style of news type info programs every week night. Don't get me wrong i don't mind some aspects of NRL 360 in particular players night when you get players opinions on current issues, and the Matty johns show has its moments. That said the professors show and matty johns offer up the same type of cheap gag humour and by mid week the same issues have been rehashed on sterlo, NRL tonight, NRL 360 and League life. (although the women's view is sometimes different and is obviously appealing to a different market.). i dont watch the Queensland show cause even though i live here i am Blue thru and thru.

If you look on all clubs websites they have internal videos and behind the scene videos which i find interesting and sometime some funny stuff is on there. Denan Kemp also has a successful podcast where he has had some more in depth interviews with players who are in a much more relaxed state with him instead of when sit on a panel in formal setting with reporters who are just looking for a headline grab. A lot of the shows currently on offer give us a quick glimpse at players and some snapshots of funny moments but if you look at many players twitter and facebook banter there are plenty of characters with more then enough humour, interesting stories and different perspective then the reporters currently offer.

Maybe the NRL and fox need to look at trying get new content and use it as a tool to market the game.
I not sure how many UFC fans there are but I know i enjoy watching the countdown shows where it takes you into the fighters lives leading into a big fight. It shows their background and how they prepare for fight. I know league is different and clubs dont want to give to much away but surely there are enough smart people within the NRL, the clubs and fox sports to work out a format that would work. Maybe in days before a big rivalry match or when 2 star players will be marking up on each other, a behind the scenes lead up would generate more interest. Not the usual reporters asking generic questions and same screen grab replayed on every news program, but the players talking in relaxed environments and perhaps to other players instead of a reporter. Sterlo has previously had players, trainers and coaches miked up to offer a unique view that most fans never get to see. This is the kind of content I was hoping there would be more of.

Unfortunately the clubs would try to block anything like this as they seem to limit player exposure to the media. Personally I would like if parra took the initiative and asked fox sports if they could have half an hour a week to showcase our players and club. It could include coverage of some of pranks players play on each other, (would be much better if we get Peats back) players surprising members with home visits, banter in the gym as players push each other see who fastest, strongest or best at field goal shots etc. Then an in depth interview with a different player each week similar to sterlos 1 on one where we get to know more about our players.

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  • Love that last bit mate. Great idea!
  • With our team being it its current predicament of being 2 & 4 with no real prospect of a win on the horizon, I would think we don't have time for pranks & banter or presenting TV shows showcasing such things. I would much rather see the replay of a game we won on the weekend than that crap. I would just prefer that the team focused on trying to get a win. I understand that all work and no play is not healthy but the team looks like it needs to do the hard yards now and can have fun when they win.

    • I understand where your coming from but I think a happy team plays better. I didn't really consider the change of content in losing streak but it might help some players and help take bit pressure off. A week is long time with multiple training, video and bonding sessions so surely there enough content to cover 15 mins of light entertainment. With ads and 1 on interview that is all you would need to fill.
      The interview section could ask how players deal with losses, I think some fans only see the players smile and chat to other team after loss and don't understand the hurt they feel inside or responsibility they feel to make up for mistakes they made for the next game.
      That is why more insight is needed into the players and clubs to show the complete picture.
  • Don't know if you've seen any of the espn 30 for 30 or e:60 sport documentaries... .they're awesome. Just telling the behind the scenes stories of the players mostly..something like that would be better than the 4000th replay of some guy from 1982 copping a falcon in Matty's shows
    • Yeah I been watching the ESPN docos for a long time. Would be good if foxtel invested in something similar or government with nrl give grant to young up coming film makers. Subjects such as super league war which helped deliver Newcastle grand final win, the tigers vs raiders grand final and maybe an Alex mckinnon story would be great subjects.
  • Not that fussed with some of the content either. NRL 360 has some good stuff and is the more serious of all the shows. Paul Kent has improved slightly but still doesn't miss an opportunity to have a dig at the Eels in one way or another.
    The Matty Johns show has its good moments but the Hindy & Fletch stuff is just absolute crap and should be axed! The Queenslanders only is just pure crap! I don't mind the segment with the 4 women on it as they better to look at and they give other perspectives on the game and provide good information and have great guests too. The professor show is absolute crap and should be axed. They do need to include more up to date games.
  • Fox should see your comment. They have Tele journos and friends on. It's all the same...and johns is boring.
  • I'm all for equal rights, but since when did so many females get involved in Rugby League and become lead anchors on these shows???

    • Thought u fellas loved eye candy ???
    • I'd rather look at the females who I might add are quite hot, than look at bald headed Sterling, overweight Roach and numerous others !
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