Post by TC Ink on Jun 24, 2009 11:42:33 GMT 10
Thousands of rugby league fans in Britain stand to miss out on tonight's State of Origin after the broadcaster with NRL TV rights ceased trading and went off the air last night.
The plans of scores of expat Australians, who traditionally gather in pubs and living rooms to watch one of Australia biggest annual sporting events, are now in disarray after the shock decision by Setanta Sports.
The company has wound up its UK division just as Queensland is poised to make rugby league history, a win making it the first State of Origin side to win four consecutive series.
The NRL this morning was caught a little by surprise by the sudden turn of events, and said it was unlikely it could put in place alternate broadcast arrangements before kick-off tonight.
"We were talking to them yesterday and were of the view that it was still going to be transmitting [tonight]," said NRL Director of Media and Communications John Brady.
"It's very difficult for us to do a lot at this stage, it's out of hours there [in the UK] already."
Mr Brady said he felt the pain of rugby league fans in the UK, some of whom are venting their frustration.
"Can't quite believe this has happened the night before the biggest game in Queenslands history:) Go Maroons!" wrote one league fan, Jason, on a blog on London's Times website.
He had signed up to Setanta just nine days ago to watch NRL and State of Origin matches.
"The day before Origin II?
Is someone having a laugh???," wrote another despondent fan.
Mr Brady said the NRL had a large following in the UK - its biggest TV market outside of Australia - and felt fans' frustration.
"I don't have figures but it gets a good audience, there's no doubt about that.
"They'll be frustrated, it's unfortunate for them."
While not ideal, he suggested fans could watch the match on delay on Telstra's website.
Setanta also had rights to regular NRL season matches. Mr Brady would not speculate on whether those rights would be re-sold to another UK broadcaster.
"That's going to take a little time to work out."
Setanta yesterday issued a short statement on its website: "Please be advised that it is with great regret that Setanta GB is no longer trading."
The Times said the company collapsed after a six month long struggle to raise cash.
The decision to wind the company up will cost 200 jobs and £450 million ($932m) of investors money, it said.
The plans of scores of expat Australians, who traditionally gather in pubs and living rooms to watch one of Australia biggest annual sporting events, are now in disarray after the shock decision by Setanta Sports.
The company has wound up its UK division just as Queensland is poised to make rugby league history, a win making it the first State of Origin side to win four consecutive series.
The NRL this morning was caught a little by surprise by the sudden turn of events, and said it was unlikely it could put in place alternate broadcast arrangements before kick-off tonight.
"We were talking to them yesterday and were of the view that it was still going to be transmitting [tonight]," said NRL Director of Media and Communications John Brady.
"It's very difficult for us to do a lot at this stage, it's out of hours there [in the UK] already."
Mr Brady said he felt the pain of rugby league fans in the UK, some of whom are venting their frustration.
"Can't quite believe this has happened the night before the biggest game in Queenslands history:) Go Maroons!" wrote one league fan, Jason, on a blog on London's Times website.
He had signed up to Setanta just nine days ago to watch NRL and State of Origin matches.
"The day before Origin II?
Is someone having a laugh???," wrote another despondent fan.Mr Brady said the NRL had a large following in the UK - its biggest TV market outside of Australia - and felt fans' frustration.
"I don't have figures but it gets a good audience, there's no doubt about that.
"They'll be frustrated, it's unfortunate for them."
While not ideal, he suggested fans could watch the match on delay on Telstra's website.
Setanta also had rights to regular NRL season matches. Mr Brady would not speculate on whether those rights would be re-sold to another UK broadcaster.
"That's going to take a little time to work out."
Setanta yesterday issued a short statement on its website: "Please be advised that it is with great regret that Setanta GB is no longer trading."
The Times said the company collapsed after a six month long struggle to raise cash.
The decision to wind the company up will cost 200 jobs and £450 million ($932m) of investors money, it said.
