State of Origin broadcaster Channel Nine has been slammed by viewers after they missed a crucial moment in State of Origin II.
Many fans felt that the broadcast had become more about commercials than actually showing the game as they almost missed New South Wales’ opening try.
The ad was being run at a break in play after Queensland had opened the scoring with a kick for goal following a Blues infrindement.
Channel Nine were then caught out as Queensland made a hash of the restart, when their first pass was knocked on.
The ad had barely finished as Tom Flegler dropped a simple pass that Mark Mark Nawaqanitawase scooped up, offloaded to Kotoni Staggs who did the rest.
‘I have never seen that in Origin before,’ Andrew Johns said on Nine.
Kotoni Staggs’ opening try for New South Wales was almost missed by fans watching on Channel Nine due to a commercial being run during the restart
But fans have fumed as they almost missed the entire thing due to the ad breaks that have become all-too-familiar during their broadcast.
One user on X wrote, ‘Ad count…..6,098,753,780 in 10 minutes.’
Another posted, ‘You can only keep one for the rest of your life… Channel 9 Ad Breaks or FIFA Hydration Breaks?’
One frustrated viewer posted, ‘Come on channel 9 do better we basically miss the bloody try because you need ads.’
‘Missing a restart because of an advert is unforgivable, nevermind one that led to a try being scored,’ another wrote.
There was more frustration as another added, ‘Great job Channel 9. Being in an ad while the kickoff happens with an error leading to first try.’
What is certain to add more frustration for Australian viewers is that broadcasters around the world have been able to enjoy a commercial free experience.
Specifically viewers in the UK who are able to watch State of Origin on Sky Sports, a paid for subscription.
One user on X, not watching one Nine as they are in the UK, posted, ‘I don’t want to make Australians jealous, but we didn’t nearly miss the try in the UK, as Sky Sports don’t have in game ads.’
Of course it is worth noting that Channel Nine airs Origin for free and the trade off is that the game is littered with commercials.
Many other nations have to pay for their subscriptions to watch sport and that does restrict commercials in some cases.
And paying to watch the sport is something that has been put forward by those who hate the commercials.
‘@NRLonNine @Channel9 9NewsSyd fix your origin coverage stop the ads!!!! Hand it over to already!!!,’ one user wrote.
