So that's what Bill Woods is doing. The former Ten stalwart, who was unceremoniously dumped from the network amid cost-cutting last year, has re-emerged fronting a new IPTV sports show for Telstra called The Clubhouse.
Telstra's media arm has created the program which will be live-streamed across online, mobile, tablet and IPTV platforms on Mondays to Thursdays at 8pm. It will be panel-style and a mix of sports news and comment.
Described as humorous, satirical and an authority on sports, The Clubhouse has lined up a raft of personalities including Matt Burke, Brad Fittler, Brad Seymour, Wendell Sailor, Layne Beachley, Joel Caine, Renee Gartner and Mieke Buchan.
Woods said: “There are panel shows out there and a lot try to be too serious, while others try to be too funny and don't have any substance. What The Clubhouse offers is intelligent but humorous, satirical but knowledgeable take on Aussie sport – we don't mince words and we don't pull punches.”
Woods left Ten after 24 years in November as a result of cost-cutting measures at the network.
Telstra has been getting more aggressive in the IPTV and digital media space. Earlier this year, chief marketing officer Mark Buckman added executive director of Telstra Media to his remit. At the time he affirmed Telstra's ambition to be the leading IPTV and digital media player in Australia.
In addition to The Clubhouse, Telstra has launched the SportsFan app and online hub SportsFan.com.au. Buckman said the two products are a defining moment in Telstra's push to lead IPTV and digital media.
The app is said to be all-encompassing and features news, statistics, interactive elements and video-on-demand. The Clubhouse can also be streamed through the app.
Buckman said: “What we have in SportsFan is the combination of three market-first products that together create an engaging multi-screen brand specifically tailored to Aussie sports fans.
“The SportsFan app is the ultimate tool to keep across what's happening in Australian sport at any given moment. For example, if you're an NRL fan and your team is about to upset the premiers, you'll get a personal alert to tune in and check the score, or watch it live on the NRL Live 2013 app.”
Telstra has also launched Tip-Off, a free multi-sport tipping game.
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