The new test match: Telstra v Optus, but the winner is 3

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 23 November 2006 13:58

Opinion and Analysis

Fans will get "the very latest news from the pitch," from former NSW cricketer Brad MacNamara, who will join the show from location on tour with the Australian Test cricket team. Other cricket experts will also be involved during the season to provide additional insight to the progress of the Australian cricket team during the Ashes and One Day Series.

Of course they are both trying very hard because they have been well and truly trumped (to use a metaphor from a different game) by 3 which announced on 6 November "For only $5 per month fans (who also happen to be 3's customers) can get our bumper pack which provides unlimited 24/7 Cricket TV, including live and exclusive Channel Nine coverage of all 3 mobile Ashes Series, Twenty/2 and One Day International matches; Archive footage from 1982 onwards; Channel Nine's 'The Cricket Show'; Day highlights and full replays..." and much, much more.

3 must reckon it's on to a winner here. "For 42 percent of the Aussie population, cricket conjures up images of lazy days spent in front of the TV," according to a recent survey conducted by 3. However, "just 5 percent are planning to take a sickie in order to be glued to the TV and only 6 percent will be heading to the pub with mates."

Great so the other 30+ percent can ditch their Telstra and Optus mobiles, sign up with 3 and bludge at work watching the game on their cellphones.

With the market close to saturation and with the increasing uptake of 3G making possible a much greater range of rich media content, including video, expect the battle for customers' hearts, minds and cellphone dollars to move to a whole new level beyond zero dollar phones and capped plans.