Nine’s Wide World of Sport launches weekend sports panel, hosted by Emma Freedman
Nine has announced the launch of its new weekend sports program, Sports Sunday, which will be headlined by sports personalities and hosted by Emma Freedman.
Freedman said: “We’ve already had trial runs and if they’re anything to go by, strap yourselves in”
The panel sports program will be fronted by journalist and ex-rugby player Peter FitzSimons, retired netball player Liz Ellis, journalist and former cricketer Michael Slater and Nine sports reporter Neil Breen.
Hosted by presenter Emma Freedman, sports stars including Michael Clarke, John Steffensen, David Warner and Candice Warner will also make appearances on the panel.
Contributors to the Sunday show will also create columns, podcasts and vodcasts which will be posted on the Wide World of Sports website.
Alex Parsons, chief officer of digital and marketing at Nine, said: “We are excited about how the increasing integration of our on-air personalities into our digital offering will continue to drive the growth of online audiences.”
Wide World of Sports will premiere the program on Sunday March 5 at 10:00am, going head-to-head with the ABC’s sports program Offsiders which airs at the same time.
Freedman said: “I am honoured to be taking the baton from sports broadcasting legend Ken Sutcliffe to host this new Sunday sports show. If it happens in the week of sport, here and overseas, rest assured we’ll be talking about it and possibly arguing about it. We’ve already had trial runs and if they’re anything to go by, strap yourselves in.”
Tom Malone, Nine’s director of sport, said: “We’ve conducted plenty of research over the summer and the viewers have told us they want to see opinion and debate, and with the names we’ve assembled, that’s all they’ll be getting.”
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
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Emma Freedman: didn’t know anything about her, apparently a former Dancing With The Stars performer and weather girl, and horse trainer Lee’s daughter. Good luck Emma.
Peter Fitzsimons: are they kidding?
Liz Ellis: tick, great lady.
Michael Slater: forget it.
Neil (know what I mean?) Breen: best known for fake Pauline Hanson nudes when he was Sunday Telegraph editor.
Ratings tip: very poor.
Outcome: axed after a month or two.
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So it’ll just be a far inferior version of ABC’s Offsiders? OK then.
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can I borrow your crystal ball before next week’s powerball?
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Wonderful ! All on a Sunday morning we can get a bit of sport, a lecture on Relgion, the Republic, reviews and promotion of Fitzy’s books, “how to lose 10kg and look 10 years older.”
Oh ! And Fitzy laughing at his own ‘jokes’ …ha ha Can’t wait.
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I speak for hundreds of people when I wonder why on earth do you include that Fitzsimmons rag head on your wonderful show .. very difficult to watch with him trying to be funny when he’s not and listen to his opinions .. please get rid of him .. love Emma though.
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The weight or age question. If junior sport is supposed to encourage participation, Peter is right while Liz and Paul have not thought it through. If the 60kg 8 yr old is forced to play with the 12 yr olds, he may possibly feel disenchanted, along with his parents. Total – 3 people. If the 30 kg kids are forced to play against the 60kg kid, they will feel not only disenchanted but endangered. The team (including the bench) and their parents total 51 people feeling disillusioned and a possible loss to the sport. Do the Maths! It seems a bit incongruous to insist on headgear, and then expect them to tackle someone twice their weight.
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Issue: Ball tampering, why so? Just a thought, why isn’t there an ‘EXCHANGE OF OLD FOR NEW’ after a set number of overs played, as is done with ‘TENNIS’, following games played? Reasoning on, too a damaged ball to be changed/RENEWED!!
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