Michael Clarke’s horror Big Sports Breakfast ratings revealed
Tasked with reviving the Big Sports Breakfast alongside Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke’s first foray into breakfast radio hasn’t exactly bowled over listeners. CHECK OUT THE LATEST NUMBERS
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Michael Clarke’s foray into breakfast radio has not exactly bowled listeners over, with his show dropping more than half of its audience.
The former Australian cricket captain was the big name recruit to join the Big Sports Breakfast alongside Laurie Daley and Gerard Middleton but the trio rated just 0.4 per cent when the ratings for survey two were released on Thursday – down from 0.9 per cent when survey one was released last month.
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It sat joint lowest of any breakfast show in Sydney alongside the newly reformed 2UE which has been rebranded as a music station.
Clarke started hosting on March 2 and this was his first full ratings survey.
Tabcorp’s head of media communications Adam Hamilton said losing sport because of the coronavirus had hampered the ratings.
“Losing most sport, most notably NRL, combined with the quest of news by listeners through this challenging time has no doubt impacted the show’s results,” Hamilton said.
“Some of the key metrics across our Big Sports Breakfast social media platforms are up over 70 per cent from the same period last year. Highlighting content on these platforms is engaging with that audience.”
Clarke replaced long-term host Terry Kennedy who stepped down after 18 years in the chair in October.
The show rated a poor 0.3 per cent for a large chunk of last year but rebounded in the next three surveys to crack 1 per cent.
The Big Sports Breakfast, which is the only sport breakfast show in Sydney after Macquarie Sports Radio was closed last year, paired Daley with a handful of people including Jimmy Smith before Clarke started.
FORMER NRL PLAYER’S LEGAL FIGHT
Former Canterbury player Pat O’Hanlon is set to commence legal action regarding the abrupt end to his career which came as a result of a horrific injury.
O’Hanlon is in the midst of suing insurer QBE in an appeal against the claim decision following his career-ending injury in 2014. QBE was the NRL’s insurer for career-ending injury at the time.
The 29-year-old has been in discussions with the insurance company for two years but is now preparing to litigate the claim.
“Being conscious that the statute of limitations is fast approaching myself and my legal representation are confident we are in a position to commence proceedings with QBE,” O’Hanlon said. “It has been a time-consuming process, I’ve explored various legal avenues but have settled on a barrister and lawyer to assist with the case.
“I hope that other players who may be in a similar position can recognise the disadvantages of this policy and potentially explore their own financial and medical entitlements through the insurer post career.”
O’Hanlon was in his third season of first grade when injury struck. His ankle was facing the wrong way after it was crushed under an innocuous tackle involving Melbourne Storm trio Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk and Jesse Bromwich. It was one of the most sickening injuries in the game’s history.
The 29-year-old walks with a limp. He needs a hip replacement and ankle fusion.
O’Hanlon has also suffered liver damage which is understood to be linked to the painkilling medication he has needed to take as a result of the injury.
Ex-Newcastle winger James McManus is continuing his litigation against his former club because of concussions he suffered while playing.
KNIGHTS STARS GIVING BACK
Courier driving, landscaping, a new podcast and a bit of study — that’s been life in isolation for housemates Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson.
The Newcastle Knights duo have been busy diversifying their skills, with Watson also spending time working on his charity foundation to tackle indigenous youth suicide.
Ponga is building a house near where they live so the pair spent a couple of days labouring on site.
“They needed some landscaping help so we did two days worth or shovelling and wheelbarrowing,” Watson said. “It makes you realise how good we’ve got it. We were completely buggered and rattled. It was good.”
Ponga returned the favour a few days later.
Watson’s family operate an office and janitorial supplies business and with the increased demand for hand sanitiser the pair were put to work.
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“We were couriers for a few days,” Watson said. “A few people recognised us and asked what we were doing.”
Far more comfortable for Watson has been the launch of their podcast, 257 Collective.
“It’s a bit less physical,” Watson said. “We didn’t want to sit around and use this time to not better ourselves. It sucks we’re not playing footy but it’s the way it is. Why not use this time to do things which will help in the long run.”