WNBL fans, players slam Channel 9 over broadcast issues for second year running

Technical issues have marred the opening rounds of the WNBL for the second year running, with fans missing the game winning shot in the grand final rematch, after the broadcast flatlined.

Players, fans and past greats have slammed the WNBL broadcast over a series of issues that marred the first two rounds – for the second year running.

Twice in round 2, the broadcast cut out and watchers have lamented the picture quality beamed into their homes on 9Now by production company Inverleigh.

The thrilling grand final rematch between Townsville and Southside on Saturday night was one of the most captivating WNBL games in recent memory.

However, as emerging Southside youngster Nyadiew Puoch sunk a clutch free throw and Townsville tall Zitina Aokuso’s game winner went askew, many fans, including legendary Opals Olympian Michele Timms, were watching a blank screen when the broadcast flatlined.

That was following more than five minutes of darkness at the beginning of the battle in Mildura between Sydney and Bendigo on Friday night.

Timms vented her frustration on social media and confirmed the 9Now app had cut out.

“Channel 9 drops out with 9 secs to go WTH … here’s the result,” Timms said.

“Would have loved to see the last play – be better.

“I was so mad. The night before we missed pretty much the entire first quarter thanks to it not even working.”

Seriously 9 secs to go blank screen, anyone Else or just me

— Michele Timms (@michele_timms) November 11, 2023

Timms said some of her friends did view the full broadcast, which indicated that not all 9Now users were affected.

“Hopefully they can fix it but at least this year the games are easier to find,” she wrote.

“Last season it was so hard to find – I couldn’t even watch a replay.”

The WNBL later uploaded the last 9.5 seconds of the Fire-Flames game on its social media accounts accompanied by “We are sorry”.

We are sorry. Last seconds of the game Fire V Flyers. #WeAreWNBLpic.twitter.com/knwNAYWTzV

— WNBL (@WNBL) November 11, 2023

Several players and clubs are concerned the problems do not befit an elite women’s professional basketball league.

Fans let their frustrations out on social media when their screens read “stream ended”.

“Not good enough … this needs to be sorted out … the players and clubs deserve better … and the fans,” one wrote.

Another wrote: “It seems there have been tech glitches with all the games this week. Why doesn’t the WNBL just give all the games to ESPN and Kayo and be done with it?”

I got this tho? @9Now ? https://t.co/kk7KQb0TDYpic.twitter.com/tTuiLK8LZk

— Basket Case 🏀😳💼 (@TheCaseBNE) November 10, 2023

Last season, the league’s coverage was riddled with issues. They included blurred images, wrong scores appearing in several games and a colour-grading gaff that made Perth Lynx’s red uniforms appear to be pink on TV screens.

Sideline reporters also had to fend for themselves when the connection with the studio was lost.

WNBL boss Christy Collier-Hill says the broadcast failings are due to technical issues at Nine and will make changes to ensure the problems are fixed. Picture: Getty Images

The league has done away with sideline reporters this season, except for the Wednesday evening games on ESPN.

WNBL boss Christy Collier-Hill attributed the broadcast failings to technical issues at Nine and said procedures would be altered to ensure the problems didn’t recur.

“There is a lot of detail behind that,” Collier-Hill said. “However, that’s the high-level summary.

“Nine has provided us with full reports on what occurred and what will take place in future to ensure the specific issues don’t happen again.

“As a broadcast partner of the WNBL, Nine is committed to ensuring a quality product is delivered.

“Outside of the technical issues on those games, all other games were delivered well.”