Crocmedia hopes to broadcast four NRL games a week in 2018

THERE’S a new player in calling NRL matches with Melbourne-based Crocmedia hoping to announce four games a week during the 2018 season.

For Saturday section — the rise of Craig Hutchison and Crocmedia and how it has now become a major player in deals and broadcasting. Picture: Jay Town

A FOURTH radio station is poised to join the big league by calling NRL matches this season.

The Daily Telegraph understands Melbourne-based Crocmedia hopes to announce a four-game weekly schedule in coming days.

Crocmedia would relay match calls through a metropolitan radio station, regional networks and also online.

The company is currently searching and headhunting radio commentators to call games.

The NRL confirmed negotiations were ongoing.

There could however be a late hitch.

Macquarie Media — who own radio station 2GB — are the official NRL rights holders and have the power to scuttle any onsell deal with Crocmedia.

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The Daily Telegraph understands Crocmedia want to call four matches each round — Thursday (8pm), Friday (6pm), Saturday (3pm) and Sunday (4pm).

They would have commentary teams at all the grounds.

No final deal has been reached but Crocmedia could channel their calls through radio station 2SM in Sydney.

2SM was once the premier rugby league station when legendary caller Frank Hyde ruled the footy airwaves.

If a deal can be reached, it would mean rugby league would now be called by four radio networks — 2GB, ABC, Triple M and now Crocmedia.

The battle would be hot for the all-important rugby league ratings.

Crocmedia owns rights to the AFL and A League with a similar model planned for rugby league.

A spokesman said the NRL was close to completing its radio rights arrangements for the next five years

“Clearly we are keen to promote the game as widely as possible — and not just in metropolitan areas,” the spokesman said

“So we are certainly looking at engaging a broadcaster which can extend our regional coverage of the game “

Craig Hutchison has turned Crocmedia into a powerhouse.

Crocmedia CEO Craig Hutchinson did not return calls on Monday.

He did however tell the Crocmedia website: “Crocmedia is a content and entertainment business. We connect relevant brands to relevant audiences, through telling stories in radio, television, online and through brilliant events.

“We are Australia’s only independent syndicator of sports content with the core of our business being radio syndication which remains the case to this day.

“We love radio and we have a real affinity for regional radio in particular.”

Originally published as Crocmedia hopes to broadcast four NRL games a week in 2018