Rugby fans: We're fucked from next year ...

[Snaffled]

At least we can still get the rugby in Thailand on the SA channels, but now we can't get Guinness to drink during the games.

[Fresh Mint]

At least we can still get the rugby in Thailand on the SA channels, but now we can't get Guinness to drink during the games.

Not from next year.

[Fat Bob]

Well, I do hope that you've written to Starhub, Setanta and the SRU to apply pressure. It may not do much, but if enough people do it.....

[Fresh Mint]

Orready.

[Possum]

Please forward me a draft letter and I'll put my name on the bottom and post

[Fat Bob]

Reply from SRU Chief Exec:

"We share your concerns about television coverage of rugby. We are currently seeking meetings with our local broadcast companies."

Possum, just write emails to Setanta, Starhub and SRU. The SRU seem to be trying to do something, it won't hurt to have more people joining in doing the asking.

[Rosbif71]

watched the Borats against Hong Kong this weekend. very dire game of rugby on a plastic pitch

[Roobar.sg]

no 6 nations coverage in singapore on starhub or Mio?

[Fat Bob]

A mate phoned Starhub and they said yes. However, they still are doing the same as last year and just waiting until the last minute to tell us when and how!

And yes, Super XV TV schedules still awaiting to be confirmed.

Setanta has finally got their arse in gear and launched a channel in Hong Kong, let's hope it follows in Singapore soon.

[Fat Bob]

Spain v Russia and Georgia v Ukraine are both on Eurosport on Sunday. Not sure if I'll watch that.

[Fat Bob]

I've just phone Starhub, and they don't have the 6 Nations on. the manager says they will not show it in 2011, or at least they currently don't have the rights.

Gits.

[daffodil]

At least you'll be spared watching the opening game...thus not dampening the start of your Birthday celebrations...
Bit of a bugger though.

I could schlepp into work at 6:30 am on Sat and watch it live I guess. But not sure how I'd explain my presence in Red jersey, plus associated swearing, to the troops!

[Fresh Mint]

Apparently you can watch a stream it on Setanta Asia, but I have been unable to subscribe so far.

http://www.setanta.com/asia/

At $130 for the year is sounds great value (basically every rugby game you'll ever want to see) but I'm still not convinced by this whole streaming thing and so far my experience hasn't been good.

Looks like my original thread title was spot on, sadly.

I have written to them and will let you know how I get on.

[Fat Bob]

It's a shame, Starhub, or at least Eurosports, has done a great job of bringin European, French and English leagues/cups to our screens over the last few months. With Starhub chipping in for the Autumn internationals, then all was going well.

I did keep the Super XV and 6 Nations in mind, and so far only option is Setanta streaming. I'm sceptical like Minty, but I may give it a trial in March for the few 6N games and see just how good or bad it is. And also hesitant to pay for it via a stream when you know one of the major players will pick it up soon enough. It's just when.

Starhub, you gits, sort it out!

[Fresh Mint]

I'm not sure they will, FB.

Setanta have the rights and so why would they sell them off cheaply?

Our best hope is for them to get a dedicated channel on Starhub or Singtel (as they have done in HK), but the chances of Star Sport or ESPN selling it in addition to Setanta are zero.

[baloo]

oh crap, you mean Melbourne Rebel's first match this weekend is not being telecast ?

Bastards !

[Fresh Mint]

Next weekend I think, Baloon, but no, unless you sign up for a stream with setanta.

[baloo]

In justin we trust

Ah, our match against the Crusaders this weekend is a practice blood bath match.

[Fat Bob]

An open letter to Singtel and Starhub.

Dear Singtel and Starhub. You say you have great sports packages, you say you have high quality TV. With no showing of either the 6 Nations or Super XV rugby, then you have let your customers down. A channel is available with all of those plus more games on, and has been available for a while. Hong Kong already has the channel available. Why haven't you?

Rugby viewers throughout this small nation feel let down yet again. Last year, the 6 Nations was only confirmed with days to spare, this year, no reprieve seems to be coming.

Yours,
A disgruntled viewer.

[Snaffled]

I wrote to the cable company here, only difference is that I cancelled my sports package.

Unless you like Filipino pool, bowling, TV about sports based computer games (Really, WTF?), two men nattering inanely over the tennis like grannies all Sherry'd up and boasting about their grandkids, beach soccer (with men, not the good stuff) and EFPL there seems little point to it.

[Fat Bob]

Cancelled mine too. I looked at Setanta and the feed was very poor. Let's hope Setanta and Starhub/Singtel get themselves sorted out soon. I'm away after this weekend so interested mainly in the games in March onwards.

[BFG]

Just off to check the beer stash and then prepare to loll in front of the Beeb for the Wales v England match. Tickets ready for England v Italy, Scotland and France at Twickers and England v Ireland in Dublin and free coverage of the rest courtesy of the aforementioned Aunty Beeb....

You know, sometimes living in the UK isn't so bad....

[expat yorkshire]

FB....I watched a few world cup games from bbc live via a proxy server...it worked ok but the definition is fairly low

[rugbyspook88]

I wrote an email to Super Rugby Admin at this is their reply:

We thank you for your email enquiring about Super Rugby & Tri nations being televised in your region.

While the Australian Network is no longer broadcasting the rugby in your area, rest assure we understand and appreciate the support of the extremely large following in Asia Pacific.

Please find below an update from Setanta Sports on the distribution in the Asia Pacific region as we approach the start of the Super Rugby Season. There are some areas still to be confirmed and under negotiation, and you will be updated as information comes to hand, in particular Singapore.

As discussed with Setanta, it is their intention to show every Super Rugby game live each week.

Singapore: Setanta has been been in discussions to launch the new channel in Singapore since the middle of 2010, however, those negotiations have so far been unsuccessful. If you would like to register your interest in having Setanta Sports available in Singapore, please contact your local Pay-TV provider in Singapore. It is Setanta’s intention to have the channel available before the start of the 2011 Super Rugby season.
In the meantime, you can access the full channel through Setanta-i, Setanta’s online video player. If you go to www.setanta.com/asia then you will be able to subscribe to Setanta-i and watch all of the rugby live.

[Fat Bob]

Recent reply from Starhub:
============
Thank you for your email of 2 February 2011. Please accept our
sincere apologies on the delay of our reply due to the high volume of
emails received.

We wish to inform you that the telecast availability of Rugby 6
Nations and Rugby Super 15 is yet confirmed as negotiations are
ongoing.

We have shared your interest for Setanta Channel on our cable TV
network with the relevant departments. We wish to clarify that our
business decisions are dependent on factors such as the channel's
commercial viability, how it complements our existing line up and is
subject to approval from the local broadcasting authority.
Nevertheless, we will continue to look for new channels to try to
meet our customers' interests and viewing needs.
===========

So email them and tell them they are feckers!