National Rugby League CEO Todd Greenberg is "unconcerned" despite State of Origin "dipping to its lowest TV ratings" since '06 during Wednesday's match. Queensland’s game three win over NSW was watched by 1.77 million viewers -- the first time the metropolitan audience for rugby league’s showpiece event has fallen below 2 million viewers since '10. Greenberg said, "The short answer is no, I'm not disappointed. I think in aggregate we'll have nearly nine million people watching the three Origin games" (AAP, 7/13).
Australian cricketers "stewing about stump microphones this summer can breathe a little easier," with Channel Seven "opting against an open-slather approach" despite the Int'l Cricket Council's reforms. The governing body rolled out new penalties for personal abuse and audible obscenities, also agreeing that broadcasters "should be allowed to use stump-mic audio at any time in games." Seven Head of Cricket David Barham said, "Stump mics are an important part of cricket but you've got to remember it is players' workplace. I'm mindful of that. You've got to be careful and you've got to be smart about how you use it" (THE AGE, 7/12).
Portuguese pay-TV network Sport TV secured exclusive TV rights to Serie A in Portugal. The news was revealed the same day Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the agreement means that Sport TV has the rights to top-tier football in six European countries beyond the Primeira Liga (SOCCEREX, 7/12).
Czech DTH and internet TV operator Digi CZ added the FA Cup to the list of English football rights it holds. According to the company, it will be the first broadcast platform in the country to offer its viewers the Premier League, League Championship and FA Cup (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 7/12).
