Broadcasters Accused Of Running Old Vision To Fake NRL TV Crowds
A report on the Seven-owned Yahoo Sports over the weekend has accused the broadcasters of NRL matches – Foxtel and Channel Nine – of running old crowd footage during broadcasts to make it look as though games weren’t being played to empty stadiums.
B&T has contacted both Channel Nine and Foxtel for comment regarding the allegations. Nine has denied any wrongdoing whatsoever, while Foxtel said it would offer a formal reply once it had more facts to hand.
Admittedly, the NRL has had a tough season with crowds for 2017, with the average number of people actually attending games this season now just 13,000 (versus the AFL’s 33,000).
However, poor attendances could be due to a number of reasons – a cold winter has kept Sydney fans away; plus, 2017 has seen extra games televised including Thursday night on Nine, a new 6pm game on Friday and a Saturday night game also on Nine. A high number of NRL games are played at the 80,000-seat ANZ Stadium which can make attendances look a little threadbare during broadcasts.
The allegations of audience tampering were made by the Seven Yahoo journalist Joey Riordon over the weekend and could well be seen as sour grapes for a network allied to the AFL. They were also repeated on Seven’s Twitter feed.
Riordon’s article (which you can read in full here) is vague in detail and careful not to accuse either Foxtel or Nine of directly running old crowd footage.
It does, however, infer the Rabbitohs-Dragons match from August the 4th may have been diddled with, as Riordon writes: “Two weeks ago the crowd crisis was at its worst during the traditional Rabbitohs v Dragons clash at the SCG, the turnout was embarrassing for the six pm clash.
“Those who did attend said the stadium was completely void of any atmosphere.
“Due to horrible crowds such as this one, broadcasters have been sprung using old video of crowds in order to make attendances look bigger,” the article read.
However, Riordon’s article has a stranger twist when an image (below) is used purporting to show the game in question with empty stands in the background. The only problem is the image shows ANZ Stadium at Homebush, when the game Riordon calls into question was played at the SCG.
A second image (below) does appear to show a Dragons player standing against a sea of empty seats at the SCG with the Fox Sports logo clearly in the top right.
Riordon concluded: “With ratings king, clubs and the NRL seem to be happy to sacrifice crowds for TV ratings.”
Latest News
Man of Many Teams Up With The Balvenie For “The Makers” A Shoppable Series
Australia’s Largest Men’s Lifestyle publication Man of Many has joined forces with famed Scottish distillery The Balvenie for a new Australasian-exclusive five-part series that highlights the people behind the products. Entitled ‘The Makers’. The mixed-medium campaign takes readers behind the scenes with five unique craftsmen, whose tailored skills encapsulate modern creativity across categories. Championing the […]
Osher Günsberg & Meshel Laurie Renew Partnerships With Acast Network
Global independent podcast company, Acast has announced both Meshel Laurie and Osher Günsberg have extended their relationships with the company and will continue their hugely successful podcasts as part of the Acast Creator Network. Günsberg (main photo) joined the Acast Creator Network in 2018 with Better Than Yesterday and has since launched two more podcasts, Idle Australians […]
Google Warns Of “Devastating” Impact Should A Court Ruling Hold Up
Google has warned of a likely “devastating” impact on the core functioning of the internet if the High Court doesn’t overturn its decision on defamatory hyperlinks. As reported on by The Guardian, the courts have ruled that the search giant is liable for defamatory material contained in hyperlinked pages. In a submission, Google has told […]
Eurovision Is Back With Joel Creasy & Myf Warhurst At The Helm
Eurovision is back and considering Australia is battling another COVID-19 surge. There’s nothing this country needs more than a bit of razzle and dazzle. Thankfully, Joel Creasy and Myf Warhurst will be returning to handle all the Eurovision coverage – which means plenty of pop culture references and laughs. Hosted on the Gold Coast and […]
The Australian Open Courts Controversy With Boujiee $99 Ralph Lauren Water Bottles
Fans furious at $99 water bottles at the Australian Open. Seemingly less concerned by the $450 ticket prices.
Adelaide’s Mix102.3 Announces New Breakfast Show With Ali Clarke
The question remains: does Adelaide radio have a "drivetime" considering there's only four cars?
“If 2021 Wasn’t Already Bad Enough!” The Wiggles Win Triple J’s Hottest 100 And, Yep, People Are Furious!
It looks like The Wiggles are suddenly cool again! Meaning the imminent return of the skivvy, fruit salad & narcolepsy.
King Kyle Reveals He Was Offered $1 Million To Do 10’s I’m A Celeb
I'm A Celebrity, Instagram and influencers all prove it requires very little to be deemed a "celebrity" these days.
Australian Made Recycled Eyewear Brand, Good Citizens, Launches First TVC
Australian made recycled eyewear brand, Good Citizens, has launched its First TVC with Sydney creative agency, Rasic and Partners. The ‘We see sunglasses’ TVC for Good Citizens, a provocative take on how we see trash was filmed by photographer/director, Ingvar Kenne. Good Citizens, the brainchild of former Sydney creative director, Nik Robinson, turns single-use plastic […]
HBF Quokkas Declare “Not For Profit Is Love” In Cute Work From Leos
Singing quokkas the star in new ad for HBF. It's a bit like the Chipmunks but with less annoying falsetto.
Meta Announces Communication Tool Workplace Will Integrate With WhatsApp
Trouble making small talk with your IT team? Namedrop this & you'll be scoffing V energy drinks together in no time.
Register For The Cannes Young Lions Workshop For The Inside Scoop To Win!
Give your career a boost at a Young Lions workshops. Not to say it won't give the "potential new flame" a boost either.
Kraft Heinz Launches A ‘Devon’ Moisturising Face Mask & It Sells Out In A Day!
This devon-inspired face mask may not make the epidermis glow & bags disappear, but it will make you popular with dogs.
OMA Welcomes Scentre Group, Hivestack & Tonic Media Network As Latest Members
OOH's peak body, the OMA, continuing to go from strength-to-strength. Camping still remains a hell on earth, however.
UnLtd’s Annual Industry Golf Gala Raises $285k For Youth At Risk
UnLtd’s industry golf day raises an impressive $285k. While $5.5K was raised for chiropractors the following day.
MFA Awards 2021 Switch To Virtual Format, MFA EX Moves To October
Planning to "own" the dance floor at this year's MFA Awards? Sadly, you'll have to park that Lambada for another year.
Mad Men’s Jon Hamm Hams It Up In Latest Spot For Apple TV+
In the not too distant future will there only be three brands - Tesla, Apple and Zooper Dooper? Even Tesla's doubtful.
SCA Announces Two New Senior Content Team Promotions
SCA announces new senior content promotions. Tells listeners to expect even more Foo Fighters.
Man of Many Announces A Slew Of Leadership Promotions
Australian men’s lifestyle publication Man of Many has continued its expansion in digital publishing with the promotion of three senior staffers to new leadership positions and the hire of a new Account Associate in the branded content team. Nick Hall has been promoted to editor in chief after two years at Man of Many. This […]
Breville Celebrates Instant Mastery In First-Ever Global Brand Campaign Via Emotive
The B&T office's Breville sandwich press is SO loved it's almost burned the office down on three seperate occasions.
Now We Collide Has Growth Spurt With New Hires & Clients
Now We Collide's seven new hires is a pulse on the current state of adland. And a pulse on recruiter's exorbitant fees.
CEO Of TBWA\Melbourne & Adelaide, Kimberlee Wells, Named As One Of Cannes Lions 2022 Jury Presidents
TBWA\Melbourne & Adelaide's Kimberlee Wells named a Cannes jury president. Thus ruling out TBWA\Melbourne & Adelaide.
Opinion: Lamb Ad Hits The Mark With Latest Branded Entertainment Drop
In recent times there's been a progressive switch to plant-based proteins. Yet, fuck all that says the annual MLA work.
Clem Group’s Porter Novelli Australia Refreshes National Leadership Team
Porter Novelli refreshes its national leadership team. Also eyeing batting changes for staff indoor cricket team.
Jellysmack Scores A Knockout & Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou As First partner For Its Marquee Program
Just in time for his upcoming first title defence, Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou, the “Baddest Man on the Planet” becomes the first partner to join Jellysmack’s new Marquee Program. With this deal, brokered by CAA’s Justin Castillo and Marquel Martin with Jellysmack’s VP of Marquee Business, Aaron Godfred, Jellysmack will help the […]
M&M’s Have Been Given A Woke Rebrand & Now The Orange M&M Has Anxiety!
Even M&Ms have gone woke! Still rotting your teeth & giving you diabetes, but woke nonetheless.
Twitter Blue Rolls Out NFT Profile Pictures
It would appear crypto and NFTs have replaced Amway & Gold Coast property as the dodgiest way to make fast money.
Nine Forks Out A Record $2 Million For Exclusive Cleo Smith Deal
This deal does sound kinda murky to us. That's not to say we won't be watching, however.
Duolingo’s Campaign “Real Emily’s In Paris Want You To Learn French” Cleverly Pokes Fun At Emily In Paris Via BETC
Does your attempts at French make you sound like 'Allo 'Allo! or Pepé Le Pew? Improve things with this app.
ANZ Celebrates Aussie Tennis Legend Dylan Alcott With New Fed Square Mural
Dylan Alcott proves that you can still be an Australian mens tennis player and also not be a total dickhead.
