Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Strewthcobber]

Alternate headline?

In return for not having to put super rugby on their free to air channels, Nine agree to pay RA an extra $13m a year.

 

[Major Tom]

65 million uplift over the old

65 million uplift

Although looks like no free to air games anymore.

Wonder what the success targets are?

 

[Derpus]

65 million uplift over the old deal

65 million uplift

Although looks like no free to air games anymore.

That's barely more than inflation...

 

[Major Tom]

65mil + 100mil for RWC.
Hopefully this BILS tour wipes away some debt.

 

[Adam84]

Ouch, losing FTA hurts even if it wasn’t rating massively they did advertise a 30% increase in ratings on Nine just today

 

[moa999]

So a big uplift in free to air numbers..
And no can't do that.

Don't actually want that. Let's put it behind a double pay wall (I say double as you can't just get Stan Sport.

 

[Adam84]

65mil + 100mil for RWC.
Hopefully this BILS tour wipes away some debt.

It will wipe all debt by end of the year

 

[Major Tom]

It will wipe all debt by end of the year

Who’s left as a priority to sign? T wright is one.

 

[Adam84]

That's barely more than inflation...

$30million(2020 broadcast figure) at 3.8% inflation since 2020 is $36.2 million in 2025. The new deal at $42million is 16% increase above the existing when factoring for inflation.

So yeah not a massive increase, but if they’re dangling an extra $30million in incentives on top, then it’s potentially a 32% increase. Both aren’t massive increases, but given RA are selling them 20% less Oz Super Rugby content a year as well,

 

[Crashy]

I dont mind that incentive payment at all. Like the business world - you do well, you get a bono. You don't play well, you don't get a bono. simple as that.

 

[Derpus]

$30million(2020 broadcast figure) at 3.8% inflation since 2020 is $36.2 million in 2025. The new deal at $42million is 16% increase above the existing when factoring for inflation.

So yeah not a massive increase, but if they’re dangling an extra $30million in incentives on top, then it’s potentially a 32% increase. Both aren’t massive increases, but given RA are selling them 20% less Oz Super Rugby content a year as well,

I wonder how much of a blow losing the Rebels really was to our negotiating position...

 

[Reds Rick]

Ouch, losing FTA hurts even if it wasn’t rating massively they did advertise a 30% increase in ratings on Nine just today

I know it’s not quite the same but buried deeper in the article it says that there’ll be one FTA game of Shute Shield and Hospital Cup each week.

 

[Crashy]

I think the FTA thing is a myth. next to no-one has been watching the games this year - the ratings have been extremely poor. Being buried on a back channel doesnt do the game any good.

 

[Dan54]

$30million(2020 broadcast figure) at 3.8% inflation since 2020 is $36.2 million in 2025. The new deal at $42million is 16% increase above the existing when factoring for inflation.

So yeah not a massive increase, but if they’re dangling an extra $30million in incentives on top, then it’s potentially a 32% increase. Both aren’t massive increases, but given RA are selling them 20% less Oz Super Rugby content a year as well,

It's a deal, not too bad, any increase in revenue is good. Not sure if good or bad no FTA game, as I have no idea how many eyeballs it draws , and Interesting that article in ROAR is suggesting the $43 mill includes the performance incentives. Hope it is on top, and not too onerous to get them.

 

[fatprop]

I think the FTA thing is a myth. next to no-one has been watching the games this year - the ratings have been extremely poor. Being buried on a back channel doesnt do the game any good.

I didn't even know Super Rugby was on FTA

 

[Strewthcobber]

I wonder how much of a blow losing the Rebels really was to our negotiating position...

How many Rebels/rugby supporters cut Stan once they left, and didn't keep going with the Wallabies (or Super Rugby, Svns, or Champions League, or tennis, or whatever else)

With respect to those on here, I'd suggest it isn't a very big number. I don't think it would make much of a difference to Nine.

These days they are paying for subscribers, not hours of content

 

[JRugby2]

I think the FTA thing is a myth. next to no-one has been watching the games this year - the ratings have been extremely poor. Being buried on a back channel doesnt do the game any good.

This really depends on what your benchmark is honestly. Any network/ producer would take a 30% YOY increase when the overall audience of FTA TV is down ~10% YOY.

I agree that FTA TV for super rugby was never going to be a realistic saving grace for the game. The NRL and AFL have a firm stranglehold on winter sport audiences and there really isn't room in the weekend schedule to win enough eyeballs. For better or worse (probably worse) Rugby audiences in Aus are used to having to pay for content so no real change for us - it's better we have the cash.

 

[Braveheart81]

Super Rugby isn't a growth driver. Rugby Australia have absolutely taken the right option here by not sacrificing actual dollars for limited FTA coverage of Super Rugby.

 

[Homer]

$43m up from $30m and one less team to fund. Waugh also said they had $60m debt which will be paid off this year following the Lions (presumably with about $30-$40m left over). Then the WC and hopefully another $100m.

While we would all like someone to drop $1b into rugby its not happening so this is the best result RA will get and if used properly could start some growth again. Hopefully we dont pour it all into player wages but develop a solid semiprofessional 3rd tier, boost juniors and club rugby and give the top women enough to fight off the NRLW and AFLW.

Also, some bloody advertising to boost the game is imperative, including boosting the key players in the SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) and Wallabies so people actually have favourites and know who they are cheering for. The greatest ad is still the NRC 'you dont know me, yet.' ad which boosted Pocock, G. Smith, the Faainga's, Daley etc.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Yep been thinking that. RA should've put forced promotion clauses in the contract with 9, i.e a certain amount posts on 9WWOS socials, guests on 9 panel sports shows, TV ads etc.