Off the Ball [Archive]

culloty82

04/03/2013, 6:47 PM

The only programme worth listening to on Newstalk (http://thescore.thejournal.ie/off-the-ball-818471-Mar2013/) is gone over contract negotiations - surely RTE beckons?

Spudulika

04/03/2013, 7:31 PM

I hope to god not. It had it's moments, but some of the chat is dire and some of the accents and Beavis and Butthead moments just don't wash.

BonnieShels

04/03/2013, 7:41 PM

The only programme worth listening to on Newstalk (http://thescore.thejournal.ie/off-the-ball-818471-Mar2013/) is gone over contract negotiations - surely RTE beckons?

There's no where else to go.

New 2fm sports show perhaps?

Charlie Darwin

04/03/2013, 8:56 PM

I have no evidence for suggesting they may have walked out because of differing ideas over editorial independence.

BonnieShels

04/03/2013, 9:06 PM

I have no evidence for suggesting they may have walked out because of differing ideas over editorial independence.

I've heard from a couple of sources and then it was said on the show tonight that it was due to them wanting the show moved to start at 6. I'm sure this was part of some contract leverage. Odd decision from Newstalk. they need to revamp the afternoons. Hook is stale from 6 as is the Last Word on Today FM.

drummerboy

04/03/2013, 10:26 PM

Anybody think its time to have an Irish radio station dedicated to sport.

tetsujin1979

04/03/2013, 10:34 PM

Anybody think its time to have an Irish radio station dedicated to sport.
foot.ie FM?

Spudulika

05/03/2013, 5:56 AM

A dedicated radio station wouldn't work, remember they tried a newspaper once that got taken into Ireland on Sunday (I think). The airways are cluttered as it is, but this move does seem mad, George Hook has done his money, needs to be moved or shortened, but going up against Drivetime is a tough call.

BonnieShels

05/03/2013, 8:44 AM

But it's not strict drive time.

The 6-7 slot is usually weak or full of sports coverage anyway. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Spudulika

05/03/2013, 9:01 AM

What time does Drivetime end on Radio 1? I'm out of touch with it as I'm usually in the gym or eating at the time.

I realised why I disliked Off the ball very often, it was Ken Earley, and while I know from mutual friends he's a good guy, his voice and tone irritated the hell out of me so much that I'd turn off when he was on. I know that's unfair and he'd not like my dulcet tones, though listening to him commentate on matches was just like sitting next to a pub bore that you'd never tire of slapping.

Dodge

05/03/2013, 9:12 AM

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/door-still-open-for-off-the-ball-presenters-despite-mass-walkout-29108504.html

Looks like they made a power p[laay with little/no leverage and got caught out. Gilroy's a better broadcaster than any of the lads involved (some of whom annoyed me). What made their show work was the littany of 'expert' guests they brought in. Presumably they'll all stay so not such a big deal IMO

the 12 th man

05/03/2013, 9:30 AM

Big mistake by the boys throwing the toys out,Early has no chance of getting that live gig anywhere else.

BonnieShels

05/03/2013, 9:58 AM

Balls.ie in mourning...

http://balls.ie/news/official-off-the-ball-mourning-thread/

@Spud: Drivetime on RTE ends at 7 with Sport@7 starting then. I never listen to either as I think they are pants. Early annoyed me too but you can't fault Eoin's stewardship or Murph's GAA knowledge. Plus he did give us one of the funniest moments talking to Jason Ryan last summer.

I think it's over stated how many listeners they would have lost at a 6-7 slot. And if anything they would have increased their audience after 7 as they would be bringing in listeners who can't stand Hook.

Ah well.

Here's to their return.

Dodge

05/03/2013, 10:28 AM

I think it's over stated how many listeners they would have lost at a 6-7 slot. And if anything they would have increased their audience after 7 as they would be bringing in listeners who can't stand Hook.

Maybe, but newstalk would do anything (literally) to increase ad sales and they've probably got better data than us.

Found out today that the whole OTB team were represented by Platinum One too...

BonnieShels

05/03/2013, 11:58 AM

Maybe, but newstalk would do anything (literally) to increase ad sales and they've probably got better data than us.

Found out today that the whole OTB team were represented by Platinum One too...

Having studied radio production and worked in the industry (all too briefly) They would have the data. But it would be skewed, from how I'm reading this, in a way that they are looking to avoid haemhorraging George's listenership and not willing to grow OTB's.

I can see a slot starting at 630 working as 430-630 is plenty for a drivetime news show and 630-930 for OTB. Perfect. But alas it is not to be.

The sooner radio stations realise that this 30-35 male demographic have cash and like that sort of radio in the evening the better.

Interesting revelation about P-1 Dodge. Hmmmmmmmmm... That must be why NT have mentioned them coming back but NOT as a team.

jbyrne

05/03/2013, 12:24 PM

i cant believe they only had 39,000 listeners. i think they must undertake these listener polls in the RTE canteen or similar. OTBs sports coverage is miles ahead of RTEs

BonnieShels

05/03/2013, 12:29 PM

i cant believe they only had 39,000 listeners. i think they must undertake these listener polls in the RTE canteen or similar. OTBs sports coverage is miles ahead of RTEs

All of NewsTalk's coverage is miles ahead of RTEs. The Saturday and Sunday Sports Shows are must-listen radio.

Dodge

05/03/2013, 12:47 PM

i cant believe they only had 39,000 listeners. i think they must undertake these listener polls in the RTE canteen or similar. OTBs sports coverage is miles ahead of RTEs

They're also miles ahead in listeners. it just means that relatively few people listen to the radio after 7pm

Charlie Darwin

07/03/2013, 6:21 AM

It certainly appears they grossly overplayed their hand on this one. I know they said they've been in talks for 18 months or whatever, but I can't help wondering if their decision was somehow linked to all the eulogising press coverage they've been getting over the past couple of months. Perhaps they recognised their stock was at an all-time high and tried their hand.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/off-the-ball-team-on-sidelines-as-hopes-fade-of-quick-rte-transfer-29111796.html

gormacha

07/03/2013, 10:51 AM

I realised why I disliked Off the ball very often.

I found it hard to listen to because of the bed music that was perpetually under their spoken voices. Actually, not 'hard to listen to', impossible to listen to. I tried loads of times because I heard the content was quite good, but it drove me to distraction.

I can't for the life of me understand why radio stations think the listenership is so averse to concentrating that they feel they have to fill EVERY SECOND of airtime with banal talk or redundant muzak.

tetsujin1979

07/03/2013, 11:28 AM

I can't for the life of me understand why radio stations think the listenership is so averse to concentrating that they feel they have to fill EVERY SECOND of airtime with banal talk or redundant muzak.
They have to, it's to avoid dead air - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_air

Junior

07/05/2013, 11:56 AM

THE ‘OFF THE BALL 5′ are back.
Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early, Ciaran Murphy, Simon Hick and Mark Horgan — the team formerly behind Newstalk’s award-winning sports show — have confirmed their return to broadcasting in a new partnership with the Irish Times.
Their new show, “Second Captains @ The Irish Times”, will be a weekly podcast free to stream and podcast worldwide every Tuesday.
This morning’s announcement brings an end to more than two months of speculation following the team’s high-profile departure from Newstalk.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/off-the-ball-irish-times-podcast-898719-May2013/

Real ale Madrid

08/05/2013, 1:49 PM

They have hit the bigtime now!

KK77

08/05/2013, 1:59 PM

Haven't missed them to be honest. The show has gone on fine without them. Must have had high opinions of themselves!

BonnieShels

08/05/2013, 2:30 PM

Haven't missed them to be honest. The show has gone on fine without them. Must have had high opinions of themselves!

I miss them less than I thought. But I do miss some of the mental ramblings and memes. Frank Sadlier for one.

Spudulika

09/05/2013, 9:56 PM

I've tuned in more often now to the show (I used to only tune in for John Giles and maybe if there was something very interesting on) as there isn't the same level of false sportiness there. I've stopped reading the Indo since last year and now the IT seems determined to load up with more crud. God help me I'll be reading the Examiner from now on!