Newstalk: Off The Ball

Enjoy Chief. Look forward to hearing about it

Ah sorry, I mis-understood. I thought you were saying he'd have the Indo stuff done by 4 and then go on the air at 7. Sorry!

I'd say Mediahuis made Joe an offer he couldn't refuse. Coupled with not having to be in work for afternoons-evenings as well as all day Sunday, I'd say it was a no-brainer. All media outlets are investing heavily in online content, it is a matter of time before they put Joe behind the paywall for subscribers only. But to be frank, I will be one of those signing up because he is worth it, unlike the 50 hours Ger had promised, much of which is garbage I will never listen to.

It won't just be a sports offering though. This will undoubtedly be "Sign up to Irish Independent and get podcast content including Joe Molloy".

The Indo gave a years subscription earlier this year for €50 or something. If Joe is behind the paywall in a few months and it is bundled in this, it will still make it a good deal.

On a side note, everything to do with the OTB subscription is incredibly cack-handed. Even if I was a subscriber, I would be peed off with how everything is lumped in together on that Go Loud app, and how they don't just have a dedicated OTB app for your subscription. I use the 3 free listens but it annoys me no end that if you listen to 5 minutes and then come back to it, that is considered 2 of your 3 podcasts.

But the user experience is absolutely crap, why not just go with Patreon like most other subscription podcasts do.

It won't just be a sports offering though. This will undoubtedly be "Sign up to Irish Independent and get podcast content including Joe Molloy".

The Indo gave a years subscription earlier this year for €50 or something. If Joe is behind the paywall in a few months and it is bundled in this, it will still make it a good deal.

If that's the case, I'd be far less likely to sign up. I've very little interest in the Independent outside of their sports coverage.

For me it will very much depend on price and quality. I already have SC and Joe would need to offer me something. That's just me tho and maybe I'm outside their market.

I agree with OTBs offering being very unfriendly customer wise. Even something so simple as if you sign up on Spotify, you can only listen there is shite. Just us Patreon like everyone else.

Just shows how tight they are with their costs that after 4 years working from home they haven't bought him a decent microphone for radio.

listened to Joes podcast from yesterday. Was good, nothing outrageous but good.

This has been a chronic problem with rugby analysis in this country for years.

It's a very small community. They went to the same schools. They played on the same teams. Their dads are business partners etc

Brian O Driscoll for.example is just totally compromised from any objectivity re Leinster given his ties.

There is huge question marks over their relative underachievement recently given their resources. I heard his interview with Leo Cullen a few weeks ago. It was a pure puff piece.

It was very solid.

And crucially important, free.

That's quite the approach if true. Straight-laced Joe going h2h with your Earlys, McDevitts, Murphys of this world.

The Indo Sport podcast is good. Great line up.

Off the Ball will need to react. Because of it they've lost a lot of their usual journalist contributors.

Ex pros can only cover so much. You need lads who are on the beat (Dan McD on all things FAI) to get the more meaty stuff.

I know he is marmite but I hope to see Paul Kimmage on with Joe a bit

I like Eoin Sheahan, and Will is a good presenter, but it all feels very flat on OTB now.

You'd wonder what OTB's unique selling point is now? They've lost Joe Molloy. Probably lost all the Irish Independent contributors who will be told to focus on the Indo Sport podcast. There are loads of rugby podcasts out there that cover rugby better than they do. Will and Tommy do a good job with their respective GAA shows I think. But overall there isn't a whole lot there now that would make the average punter want to subscribe. Unless I'm missing something.

Ya, was about to say, their unique element is they are on radio.