Oracle of DelphiI Like To Watch. For Free. Don't you?...
January 24th 2007 07:52
Voyeurism is a free sport.
Free like Dom (...Perignon?)
Free as in why the [Delete] do we have to pay that [DELETING] pay TV to watch what everyone wants to do, to watch, to have more of, to scream about????
I am not talking about the Adult Entertainment channel.
(And okay...almost everyone.....)
Seriously now. This is about our right to free sport. To watch free sport on TV.
I hate being a Pay TV subscriber.
Don’t get me wrong. I love TV, I do. I watch it once in a while but ever since they took deep, meaningful drama like ‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ off, well...you know...the Box Populi doesn’t hold much pull for me.
Until ‘Lost’ comes back on. I really hate that show. It’s like visual cocaine (co-bane? Nirvana? Hellysian Fields more like it...).
It’s not TV that is the problem. Not the free to air channels. I don’t mind ads. In fact, I sometimes like watching the ads more than I do the programs....instead of leaving the room when the ads are on, I enter. But that’s another post hoc, ergo propter hoc....
I hate the whole idea of having to pay for TV when I already pay for it via my dollars ending up in the advertisers pockets. Yes, I’m a consumer. And a sucker for sales ads.
But what really gets my scapegoat is having to pay to watch TV and still having to endure a million ads....there's only so much pop culture psychoanalysing one can do.
So why do I have pay TV you ask?
So that I can watchStephen Larkham rugby live instead of highlights 2 days later or if I’m lucky, a snippet on the late night sports news (because for some reason free to air channels don't like to broadcast a game that is played worldwide)....
Oh and I love the weather channel...during Summer, Pay TV is just something that tells us how big the swell is.
I am not talking about the Adult Entertainment channel.
And now...The Super 14 is upon us, a bit earlier than usual because this is Rugby World Cup year.
Although we (my grrrRugby family) attend as many matches as possible, we can’t always get to live matches because they're played in 3 countries and different states and I do have a life outside of Rugby (...?) and I don’t really like being at our rugby club when my beloved ACT Brumbies are playing...I’m a bit embarrassing, which is why I like watching Rugby at home because I'm a bit...um....passionate and I couldn’t bear to miss a minute ofStephen Larkham live rugby.
And yes I do watch all the Super 14 players, teams and matches, not justLarkham’s thighs Brumbies matches.
I have been pissed off for some time about having to pay to watch Super 14 Rugby on TV (the Wallabies games are broadcast free to air but for how much longer I don't know) but now all the other codes (AFL, Soccer or whatever you call it, and there's another ball code resembling Rugby...like a bicycle resembles a Ducatti) and many other sports are in danger of being hijacked by the Pay-otes.
And at last, we arrive at my point.
From Save My Sport
And no they're not talking about weight loss.
If you agree that watching Sport free on TV is a basic Human Right then click here and vote.
And if you agree that this a basic Human gripe then please click that little vote icon down there....kidding....sort of.
Free like Dom (...Perignon?)
Free as in why the [Delete] do we have to pay that [DELETING] pay TV to watch what everyone wants to do, to watch, to have more of, to scream about????
I am not talking about the Adult Entertainment channel.
(And okay...almost everyone.....)
Seriously now. This is about our right to free sport. To watch free sport on TV.
I hate being a Pay TV subscriber.
Don’t get me wrong. I love TV, I do. I watch it once in a while but ever since they took deep, meaningful drama like ‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ off, well...you know...the Box Populi doesn’t hold much pull for me.
It’s not TV that is the problem. Not the free to air channels. I don’t mind ads. In fact, I sometimes like watching the ads more than I do the programs....instead of leaving the room when the ads are on, I enter. But that’s another post hoc, ergo propter hoc....
I hate the whole idea of having to pay for TV when I already pay for it via my dollars ending up in the advertisers pockets. Yes, I’m a consumer. And a sucker for sales ads.
But what really gets my scapegoat is having to pay to watch TV and still having to endure a million ads....there's only so much pop culture psychoanalysing one can do.
So why do I have pay TV you ask?
So that I can watch
Oh and I love the weather channel...during Summer, Pay TV is just something that tells us how big the swell is.
I am not talking about the Adult Entertainment channel.
And now...The Super 14 is upon us, a bit earlier than usual because this is Rugby World Cup year.
Although we (my grrrRugby family) attend as many matches as possible, we can’t always get to live matches because they're played in 3 countries and different states and I do have a life outside of Rugby (...?) and I don’t really like being at our rugby club when my beloved ACT Brumbies are playing...I’m a bit embarrassing, which is why I like watching Rugby at home because I'm a bit...um....passionate and I couldn’t bear to miss a minute of
And yes I do watch all the Super 14 players, teams and matches, not just
I have been pissed off for some time about having to pay to watch Super 14 Rugby on TV (the Wallabies games are broadcast free to air but for how much longer I don't know) but now all the other codes (AFL, Soccer or whatever you call it, and there's another ball code resembling Rugby...like a bicycle resembles a Ducatti) and many other sports are in danger of being hijacked by the Pay-otes.
And at last, we arrive at my point.
From Save My Sport
save my sport - campaign
Last year Australian sports fans watched over 1648 hours of sport on free TV.
Events like the Melbourne Cup, AFL and NRL competitions, Bledisloe Cup, Australian Open Tennis, Wimbledon and V8 Supercars were just some of the sports that brought Australia together like nothing else.
Australian sports fans take for granted that they will always be able to see their favourite sporting events on free-to-air television.
But that right is under threat as never before.
Pay TV want exclusive, live rights to sporting events so Australians have to pay to watch sport just as they do in the UK and New Zealand.
And last week three of the major football sporting bodies joined with them in what amounted to a “gang tackle” on viewers’ rights to see the best games for free.
If they win – Australian viewers will be the big losers.
Last year Australian sports fans watched over 1648 hours of sport on free TV.
Events like the Melbourne Cup, AFL and NRL competitions, Bledisloe Cup, Australian Open Tennis, Wimbledon and V8 Supercars were just some of the sports that brought Australia together like nothing else.
Australian sports fans take for granted that they will always be able to see their favourite sporting events on free-to-air television.
But that right is under threat as never before.
Pay TV want exclusive, live rights to sporting events so Australians have to pay to watch sport just as they do in the UK and New Zealand.
And last week three of the major football sporting bodies joined with them in what amounted to a “gang tackle” on viewers’ rights to see the best games for free.
If they win – Australian viewers will be the big losers.
And no they're not talking about weight loss.
If you agree that watching Sport free on TV is a basic Human Right then click here and vote.
And if you agree that this a basic Human gripe then please click that little vote icon down there....kidding....sort of.
| 218 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Visit other sites this author contributes to:
Travel
- "World Travel" - Places to go and things to do worldwide
- "Australia Found" - Places to go and things to do in Australia
- "Sights of Dubai" - The world's number one tourist destination
Media and Entertainment
- "The Hot Report" - Celebrity Gossip
Science and Technology
- "Good Gadget Guide" - Latest release techno gadgets
Sports
- "Sport World" - World sport stories
- "NRL News" - Rugby League
- "Rucks and Rolls" - Rugby Union
- "Wrestling Wrapup" - Wrestling
Motoring
- "Top Class Cars" - New releases and motor shows
Politics and Law
- "The Australian Constituency" - Politics news
- "Legal Herald" - Law news
Social Issues
- "Homelessness Issues" - Homelessness issues
- "Street Beat" - Stories from the world's street magazines
- "Hind Sight" - Aboriginal communities in outback Australia
Feature Articles
- "Australian Tales" - Lives of great Australians
- "Daily History" - Historical events "on this day"
Fun and Fiction
- "Noteable News" - Bizarre news stories
Read More Rugby Union News
Links to other stories on this site are listed below (Recent Posts).
Comment by Optomistic Opportunism
Bohemian Hiphop
Japanese Jazz Funk
Optomystic Opportunism
Scratch that.
This is about democracy, not capitalism (I still believe there is a difference). I wouldn't be surprised if someone organised a march for free to air rights, and 2 million people turned up, and Mal 'smell my finger' Meninga spoke, as well as Anthony 'the man' Mundine
Now THAT would be sport.
Comment by Nina
Comment by Sisi
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
and I am supporting it as such.... with sparkles and wire.......
YOU....ENTER....THE....ROOM...WHEN....
THERE....ARE..... UM
....
ADS???????
ok step away from the set, put your hand at your side,
DUSK, drink the sparkly stuff, don`t worry about the TV....
(unless of course the male underwear ad comes on......................
..never does so don`t worry to look out for it)
just concentrate on the sparkly!!!
Pay TV, Free TV....Orble.....((((((HELOOOOO))))
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
yes seriously I enjoy watching..um ... the sports channels ...and the weather channel...such enlightening TV
did you say you miss games? you should be ashamed, calling yourself a fan and all
tsk tsk
but if it be broadcast free can they all come on the field with no shirts on???
(i did seriously click on yur tag!!!!
ash
Comment by David
Just called in to say how y' goin? ...
And to ask you if you're going to put up a bit of an educational post about the upcoming series for us ignorant Aussie Rules followers ... *** (Cos, seriously? ... I really don't understand the game that much ... so I'd love to see a few posts that explain the rules themselves ... cos I actually enjoy watching it ... but just don't know the rules ... So any chance you could accommodate us a bit here ? ... and do a post on the main rules of the game ? ... Seriously ... I'd love it ...
David ...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
So The Man and The Finger unite?
Hmmm...tis The Bird...very sporting.
Hope you are well Opto.
DuskDevi
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
What really annoys me is how rugby union is viewed as being elitist.
This pay to view to seperate the "ra ras" from the rest bull$%#& doesn't help.
Thanks for coming by.
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Therein lies the hypocrisy and the dichotomy...
On one hand children are encouraged not to be sofa spuds, to get up and play sport...but whereas crap TV (which by the way I do love) is free and shoved in our faces in the name of ratings, the very thing that will encourage and motivate children to get moving is under threat of elitism.
Oh the greed. That's all it boils down to.
It's happened to Rugby. It could happen to a sport near you...
Nice to see you Sisi.
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Nice to see you mah sistuh (hello? Why am I channeling Aretha Franklin??)
The Weather Channel is very enlightening...and thunderous too...showers one with information...lets it shine through....
The only way I'd miss a game on TV is if I was actually there...thing is I prefer watching a match on TV because...well...close-ups you know?
psst Ash....a secret...you know who (he of the lovely ...um... chiaroscuro contours) once took his jersey off while on field. Oh ah do suhwear...ah needed mah smellin' salts...
Nice to see you Ash. Be well my friend.
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Funny.
I so know you weren't heckling me...
But funny this too....
I was actually putting together a post about Rugby rules and rulers and regulations and regulators and such stuff...when I got heckled.
Ahhh...who needs to know the rules anyway?
A good match is a good match whether it lights a fire or ignites passion.
...will dedicate the Rugby Rules post to you.
Be well darlin'...
Dusk
Comment by Sandi
Like a previous commenter pointed out, kids should have access to watch the "heroes" of today, not matter what their class in life. Sporting events are one of the few things left that can inspire and make us feel that miracles can still happen.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
loving the weather talk there - and today it is cloudy so it may rain, however if it clears later then it will be blue skies
I know how do you ever have the same pic when you are at a game? that sweat dripping, muscles rippling...oooops! fell off the chair again, you know from the...um...artistic mow of lawn on the field.
they should play all sports with no shirts on, it cannot be healthy for them to run around in all those sweaty clothes all the time, you know especially when they play evening games. Didn`t their mothers tell them they could get sick doing things like that? Really!
Have a muscle rippling day ")
Ash
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
You are going to hate me but, too much sport on free to air is one of the big reasons that I got pay TV. I still remember when I was a kid watching a show religiously each week only to find out in the middle of teh season it was postponed two weeks due to the Cricket.....what gets to me on payTV now is all the ads, when I first got it there were only ads for what was coming up on Foxtel...now its SMS a whore and KFC in between the shows on certain channels.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
If they remove sports from free TV, they'll kill a big part of Australian culture. What will students do when they skip class? Watch Neighbors for 5-days instead of cricket?
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
...couldn't have said it better Sandi.
Good to 'see' you.
DuskDevi
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
The one great thing about watching rugby on payTV... they have this interactive feature...you can choose the view...they occasionally have 'flyhalf cam'...aka Larkham cam...
And unfortunately they got around the whole sweaty jersey thing...they wear high tech whisk the sweat away and dry you in a jiffy jerseys.
Party poopers.
Have a great day Ash...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
....I have used some very choice words to describe what it's like to surf free-to-air on a day when all you have is sport, what looks like sport and what some call sport and maybe a little sporting action...and because none of these are Rugby....woah...
Major General Hyp Ocrisy.
Really I do think there needs to be 2 dedicated free to air sports channels but what do I know? I'm just part of the public...
Thanks for coming by JD
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Fattening the bottom line in more ways than one... it is kind of strange that I am advocating the free use of something that I also feel encourages sloth...hmmm...go figure...
But...watching a Rugby game does burn calories and is quite the cardiovascular workout, all that screaming and jumping up and down and adrenaline coursing through ones body, not just because I'm watching Larkham's thighs...woah...his ass...tounding ability to create gaps and his eyes... always on the ball and do not get me started on the way he moves...like a hot knife through butter.
Where was I?
Right.
Thanks for coming by Cibby.
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Just adding my support, Gold Angel. I totally agree that sport should be freely available to all.
Yes ... ticket prices are way too high.
Yes ... children should be able to learn about different sports and be able to enjoy them on TV for free. I definitely agree that it encourages them to get out in the garden or the park and play.
Just look at Angus ... he wants to be a famous cricketer when he grows up. He's managed to break two cricket bats through extensive use (not abuse) and he's not quite four yet. He loves the game and that passion is all because of the exposure he's had to the game through TV ... free-to-air TV.
When I grow up I want to be a V8 Supercar driver ... vrooooooooom. That's thanks to free-to-air TV too ...
Cara. xxxx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
V8....lots of juice baby!!!
Can so see you put pedal to the metal...grrr...
The questions remains; Angus be battin' and bowlin' for Ol' Blighty or The Wickets of Oz?
much love my Caramella Angel
Dusk
ps. Cherry still M.I.Orble
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm not a sports lover nor watcher but I do agree that it should be on free telly.
I'd also never thought about the fact that we endure ads on top of paying for telly....where does it end? I hate endless advert breaks, all we need is the occasional one that gives us enough time to nip to the loo and make a cuppa and that's it. None of this every 5 mins malarky..but I think this applies more to free to air telly than pay telly, but I feel like sharing the gripe anyway.
Byeee
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
can we get some impartial commentators too?
Present company excluded.
I can barely bare biased based blithering banality from the voices coming through the tele-vision.
Off the beaten track and a broken record,
Norm.
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
I have to say I agree with you on this. Luckily for me, all Swans games will be on free to air for the next few years, but I love the whole game of AFL and love watching anything I can. Unfortunately in Sydney they don't play all games free to air, or they're so delayed that I already know the results before the game is replayed.
Negotiations are still continuing for the rights this year - Foxtel, SBS, Channel 7, Channel 10 - even Channel 31 -are all in the mix, with Ch 7 & 10 having the rights and currently trying to offload to pay tv. I hope they don't sell to Foxtel - I would love SBS to have the games. SBS has done so well with some sports coverage - Ashes, soccer (basically the commercial stations' rejects, which they made bad judgement calls on airing) - would be interested to see how they fare with some additional AFL into Sydney. But to pay to watch additiional AFL games into Sydney - no way would I do it. As much as I love the game, I'm not going to fork out the extra money to watch some f*&^%g Collingwood games.
If the Swans went pay TV though ... I would probably have to rethink it.
Karen
Comment by Joe Blogg
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Comment by Joe Blogg
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Do we actually have a right to free professional sport on tv or have we just been spoiled for so long?
Public transport isn't free.
But, on the other hand, televised sport is often the introduction/starting point for many a fan.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Isn't it true that only 25% of the Australian households actually have pay tv? (Or did I just pull that statistic out of my motherly behind?)
This can only have a detrimental affect on sport in the long run. If sport doesn't get watched, or attended because of high ticket prices (as mentioned above by others), where's the future in it?
I'm a netballer and even though netball is on free to air, the ABC coverage just doesn't cut it in my mind. But at this point, I'll take what I can get.
I have kids and I used to have pay tv but I got rid of it for a) financial reasons; b) with kids I just wasn't watching as much tv as before the kiddies came along.
It's just crazy talk to put all sport of pay tv. Soccer is just starting to get a leg up and if they don't show it on free to air then the A league is going to suffer.
The irony, soccer and netball are the number 1 and 2 highest participated sports in Australia (or is that another statistic pulled out of my motherly behind?)
Anyways, it's Australia Day so I'm going to do the Australian thing now and have a BBQ and a game of backyard cricket.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Happy Australia Day hon!!
Although I get annoyed by this on free TV, I understand and appreciate that this pays for the escapism I want to watch. Don't have to like it though.
It just angers me that something we are encouraged to do for our health and wealth of life is being used as means to fill blue collar coffers. It segregates and creates elitism.
Thank you for coming by Trace....this is a gripevine, share the whine anytime you like!
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
To here a Kiwi call an NZ v Australia game is to hear what it's really like to play chess alone.
You haven't lived with teenagers have you hon?
...needle in the haystack the records...
much ParaNORMal activity my friend...
Dusk
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen: Japan Edition
I think every fun thing gets ruined when money becomes the motive.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
....and the viewer is left in the wrong.
Channel 10 has supposedly got the rights to broadcast the Super 14 games but delayed viewing "less than 48 hours later"...what's the point?...why bother?
SBS used to broadcast rugby games as well, the GPS and Shute Shield...or was that ABC? One of the intelligent channels.
...the kids begged me to get Foxtel and I refused (would much rather they surf waves and swim channels) until Channel 7 'dropped' Super (back then) 12....I was told by the Foxtel tech that their subscribers list rose that year and all the rugby households had a mad bitch and a half about it!!
I'm sure he thought these rugby people are such tightwads!!...well yeah....that's because we have to save our dollars, sense and kidneys to pay for tickets to the Bledisloe! It's ridiculous.
I didn't realise that some AFL games were delayed broadcasts or not on free to air.
hahahahahaha....but I'm sure Everywhere Eddie has plans for Channel 9...eat mag pie...
I hope you're enjoying Australia Day....it's a mad day today...we were out on the water this morning and now we're all just wandering around to and fro the neighbours houses and ours...an impromptu street party...and I'm Orbling inbetween...
much Gamma SwanGal...
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I'm not biased at all, you understand, but he'll definitely be good enough for the green and gold!
As to Cherry ... will she ever return...?
xx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Public TranSPORT should be free.
I strongly believe it is our right to watch professional sport for free.
We are the Public.
The Box Populi.
We are what makes the ratings. Where would TV stations be without their viewers?
On radio?
They should be spoiling us.
My beef is really with the ARUseless.
Thanks for coming by Joe. Sorry if I'm not making sense...am immersed in patriotic spirit (for me...wine).
Happy Australia day!
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
It is taking me half the day to reply...I too am doing the Australia Day thing albeit with sporadic Orblings.
You have written some excellent points that I want to discuss so will write in depth later.
Have a great weekend Mrs M...with lots of love and stuff.
Dusk
Always 18....
Money talks but it doesn't make sense...
...and for that kind of money Beckham should not only bend it, he should be able to telepathically land it in the net!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Australia day.
DuskDevi
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
erm, *cough* ...I don't watch TV and I don't watch sport... what am I to do if I want to add to your hit count?
I know! Leave an inanne comment, I hope this is a good one...
I think it sucks! There should be a free to air sports TV channel, sponsored by Men's shorts and Cocoa Cola, and all those other things sports people sponsor...
LL >>>flitting by>>>
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Hello my fair rugby loving lady. I'm a little late to this post, having spent all of last week home sick. I couldn't even be bothered watching tv while home as the shows were so bad!
Pay tv irritates me. If I'm going to pay for tv, then I want it to be ad free. Having pay tv shows take as many ad breaks as free to air shows......grrrrrr it makes me angry!!!
In relation to sport. I think free to air and pay tv have a role to play. But putting all sport on pay tv is not right.
Mind you, having said that and having just endured tennis and cricket on the tv, I wouldn't be unhappy if the amount of sport on tv was reduced. As long as they played old episodes of Buffy and Angel instead.......
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Last year Australian sports fans watched over 1648 hours of sport on free TV.
Really! I would have thought it to be higher than that! ; )
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
Yep, into Sydney we get "live" Swans games (albeit on a 10-20 minute delay - but I'm out watching it live when it's here so what do I care, hey?). The Swans only play on Sat night or Sun afternoon when they play in Sydney and they only have 3 Sat afternoon games in 2007 (at the MCG and Geelong's Skilled Stadium).
As for other AFL broadcasts: we get delayed Friday night games from about 10.30pm onwards (they don't want to put AFL up against the NRL in the homeland of the league), one game on Saturday during the day, one game on Sat evening ("live" if it's Swans but delayed if it's any other team) and one game on Sunday. If the Sat afternoon or Sun afternoon game is a Swans game, it actually decreases the amount of live AFL that we are able to watch.
So, all up we get 2-3 live games out of 4 games in total per week into Sydney. Out of a total of 8 games, that's pretty pathetic.
My friends and I were quite excited with the new 7 sand 10 broadcast deal, thinking we'd get more AFL shown live here, but I don't think it's going to work out like that. It's a shame. The game is growing in NSW but none of the commercial channels want to take a risk on showing it up against the league. I personally think they'd be surprised. I mean, how many non-NSW people live in Sydney? They don't seem to factor that in
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Ha!! Any luck, you'll get sucked into the telly and end up right next to Mr. L - now surely that would be worth paying for? ;o)
Seriously, A-League on PAYTV only SUX!!!! It makes me very mad that the only games I can catch are the Sydney games, AND I have to rock up every time. With 3 kids and the weekend the only time I see them, rocking up to every game is not an option.
AND... I can't show my 3 year-old 'Baggio' the soccer 'cos we don't have Foxtel. Grrr...