Nine Network Sport Dir Tom Malone has "thrown the first grenade in the rugby league ratings war with Fox Sports," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Malone said, "Why would you pay for an inferior product when you can get the best product for free?" Thursday night marks the beginning of the National Rugby League season and the fight for viewers will be "fierce." Fox Sports is "taking on the free-to-air broadcaster by simulcasting every game with its own in-house commentary team." Fox has been "aggressively spruiking" the fact its coverage will be advert-free during play, while news that play-by-play commentator Ray Warren could be retiring following his 50th season behind the microphone "may give Nine an edge when the rivals duke it out on the airwaves." Fox made "a cheeky attempt to poach Warren," but the "undisputed voice of rugby league is committed to finishing his career at Nine." However, the pay-TV provider "had a victory" by signing Nine Head of Sport Steve Crawley, "with Malone filling the void." Malone: "Channel Nine is the best place to watch rugby league, it goes to all Australian households and you get it for free." Told of Malone's comments, a Fox Sports spokesperson said, "Fox Sports will be the only place fans can see every NRL game of every round, live and ad-break free in high definition. It's the way sport should be, and for the first time in the NRL the way it will be." The "stoush between the stations" will not be confined to game days, with both "upping the ante" with their pre- and post-game coverage, plus other league programs during the week. The networks have been in a "chequebook war" to sign the NRL's biggest players in the pursuit of exclusive content (SMH, 3/1).
