http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6267455-23209,00.html TV snub irks Raiders April 11, 2003 CANBERRA Raiders have lodged a formal complaint with the NRL after being snubbed again by the game's free-to-air broadcaster Channel 9. The Raiders did not appear once on Nine during last year's regular season - a key factor in the club losing its $1million major sponsor Ozemail. That trend has continued this season, with Canberra - surprise competition leaders after four rounds - disappointed they haven't been allocated a free-to-air game at least until round nine. The crux of Canberra's frustration revolves around Nine's decision to telecast a round seven match between Manly and Souths at Brookvale on Sunday, April 27 - despite both sides having yet to win a match this season. On the same weekend, the red-hot Raiders play the Bulldogs at Canberra Stadium - yet this will be played on Saturday night and covered by Fox Sports. Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins confirmed to The Daily Telegraph last night that a letter had been sent to NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley. Annesley said he had forwarded the letter to Channel 9. It is disappointing, Hawkins said. You have to ask the question, 'What do we have to do?' It was indicated last year (by Nine) that we need to win games to get free-to-air exposure and we have delivered in that area. We remain confident though of getting free-to-air coverage on Nine this season. It was rumoured Nine contacted the NRL and attempted to swap the matches in round seven, but that Fox Sports did not want to offload the Raiders-Bulldogs game. Nine officials deny this. Canberra's last match on Nine during the regular season was back on April 8, 2001, when they played Newcastle at Bruce Stadium. Nine selects its matches five weeks in advance - and therein lies the problem. Nine's rugby league executive director Steve Crawley said the decision to telecast Manly v Souths in round seven was made after round two. At that time a lot of people didn't expect Canberra to be doing as well as they are, Crawley said. I have no doubt if the Raiders' form continues we will see plenty of them this season. But I still think there is plenty of interest in Manly-Souths match. They have a lot of fans around the eastern shoreline. The Raiders have yet to secure a replacement major sponsor. Sponsors like the television exposure, Hawkins said. We have spoken to Graham Annesley about how important this issue is. Privately, television sources claim the Raiders only have a support _base_ in Canberra and might not necessarily be an attractive ratings winner. The Daily Telegraph

The Raiders have yet to secure a replacement major sponsor. Sponsors like the television exposure, Hawkins said. We have spoken to Graham Annesley about how important this issue is. Privately, television sources claim the Raiders only have a support _base_ in Canberra and might not necessarily be an attractive ratings winner. Roiiiight.  I saw quite a few Raiders jerseys around the local footy grounds last year, and that was when they were playing crap.  Plenty of support in Brisbane too. What's almost as annoying is they're showing Penrith vs Dragons in round nine on the Sunday.  After four rounds they've only had two wins between them while the Raiders have had four on their own, and the Raiders beat both those sides.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6267455-23209,00.html TV snub irks Raiders April 11, 2003 Come on, 9.  Just throw them some crumbs so they'll shut up. :o) DMC.

those sides. This is the bit that shits me the most also.  

CANBERRA Raiders have lodged a formal complaint with the NRL after being snubbed again by the game's free-to-air broadcaster Channel 9. its about ratings - Nine dont give a flying f*ck whether they broadcast the match or not