2017 TV ratings and crowd figures

[WorkingClassRugger]

But the type of competition being touted is more akin to the present NRC than to Super Rugby. And the typical crowds for NRC games are about 1/10th of the crowds to the Super Rugby derby games.

The NRC is a secondary competition given no real level of promotion. It uses greenfield franchises that were always going to take time to bed down. This competition uses established brands playing in a familiar format in many respects. It will also feature the best available talent. Something the NRC tends to not have with a great deal of consistency.

Should also be noted that boththe crowd and TV ratings for the NRC saw double digit growth last season. Albeit from a low base.

I should also note that I am effectively suggesting taking the NRC and re-organising it to be the primary vessel. Using our establish brands from Super Rugby and traditional representative structures.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I see what you are suggesting WCR, but my gut feel is that a competition of that kind will be seen more as a development of the NRC and not a fully fledged professional competition, and crowd figures will reflect that at the start. Growth in crowds would be highly contingent upon perceptions of how the standard of play was progressing.

 

[Strewthcobber]

@MediaweekAUS: Sun TV #SuperRugby #FoxSports #WARvCRU 63k

Not too bad. Sunday arvo is always relatively low

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[WorkingClassRugger]

I see what you are suggesting WCR, but my gut feel is that a competition of that kind will be seen more as a development of the NRC and not a fully fledged professional competition, and crowd figures will reflect that at the start. Growth in crowds would be highly contingent upon perceptions of how the standard of play was progressing.

As the NRC stands now. Yes. It would be an issue. But by publicly taking the structure and bringing in the current 5 plus a few more it makes it very clear that this would be a fully professional league. The NRC both benefits and suffers from Greenfield franchises. Everyone invRugby knows the Tahs, Reds, Brumbies etc. are professional franchises. I don't think there will be too much confusion if any.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Strewthcobber]

Hurricanes v Waratahs - 70k

Brumbies v Reds - 53k
Highlanders v Blues - 48k

 

[Strewthcobber]

Force v Kings - No rating

Unfortunately this one didn't make the Top 20 programs so no rating so far. Might get one from other sources later. The Tassie Supercars took up a lot of spaces in the top 20 so the limit was fairly high.

Crowd was 8474

 

[Strewthcobber]

And @mediaweekaus comes good!
Force v Kings - 34k

 

[Strewthcobber]

@MediaweekAUS: Sat STV #SuperRugby #FoxSports
#REBvBRU 55k,
#BLUvHUR 44k,
#REDvKIN 30k

30k is pushing the limits of having no-one on the rating panel actually watching the whole game through....

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[swingpass]

apparently ~7.5 K at the Rebs v Brums game. it looked about the smallest crowd i'd seen at a Rebels home game

 

[liquor box]

@MediaweekAUS: Sat STV #SuperRugby #FoxSports
#REBvBRU 55k,
#BLUvHUR 44k,
#REDvKIN 30k

30k is pushing the limits of having no-one on the rating panel actually watching the whole game through..

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#REDvKIN Before this week they were close to the worst teams in the comp.

Expect ratings to jump now Reds are only a win from securing a finals spot!

 

[RugbyReg]

#REDvKIN Before this week they were close to the worst teams in the comp.

Expect ratings to jump now Reds are only a win from securing a finals spot!

We have the bye next week. Tahs play Kings. They'll leapfrog us again.

If they don't then they should be kicked out of the competition

 

[Strewthcobber]

#REDvKIN Before this week they were close to the worst teams in the comp.

Expect ratings to jump now Reds are only a win from securing a finals spot!

Sat arvo games (especially Easter weekend!) normally rate terribly but the trade off is you normally get a decent crowd

11,336 at Suncorp.

Still better than the 5000 odd that turned up to Loftus for Bulls v Jags

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

@MediaweekAUS: Sat STV #SuperRugby #FoxSports
#REBvBRU 55k,
#BLUvHUR 44k,
#REDvKIN 30k

30k is pushing the limits of having no-one on the rating panel actually watching the whole game through..

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At what point would a broadcaster be losing money to show a game?

 

[liquor box]

At what point would a broadcaster be losing money to show a game?

I dont think it would ever be an immediate loss, they still get a month in advance from pay tv and sponsors pay up front.

It would be difficult to pick an actual match where a loss is made.

 

[wamberal]

It would be revenue forgone, not quite the same thing as a "loss" per se.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I dont think it would ever be an immediate loss, they still get a month in advance from pay tv and sponsors pay up front.

It would be difficult to pick an actual match where a loss is made.

Yes but potential advertisers will look at an upcoming fixture & make a call as to whether or how much they'll pay to advertise, plus which market(s) to advertise in. If the asking rate is too high they clearly either won't advertise at all, or won't buy as many "spots".

I know my former employer in Australia would only buy TV advertising for Broncos home games, as it was cheaper than for away games, and only for "Brisbane Metro" unless the match was v Titans or Cowboys, in which case they'd also go with the "Gold Coast" or "Regional Queensland" option.

At some point would there simply not be enough advertisers, or would they collectively be paying so little, that the broadcast costs would exceed advertising revenue?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Yes but potential advertisers will look at an upcoming fixture & make a call as to whether or how much they'll pay to advertise, plus which market(s) to advertise in. If the asking rate is too high they clearly either won't advertise at all, or won't buy as many "spots".

I know my former employer in Australia would only buy TV advertising for Broncos home games, as it was cheaper than for away games, and only for "Brisbane Metro" unless the match was v Titans or Cowboys, in which case they'd also go with the "Gold Coast" or "Regional Queensland" option.

At some point would there simply not be enough advertisers, or would they collectively be paying so little, that the broadcast costs would exceed advertising revenue?

Bit different for pay TV as the viewer/subscriber is the primary customer rather than advertisers for free to air.

Looking at these numbers though - it's plaib to see why we're not getting to much FTA interest - and same goes for ALeague, which I think is actually being outrated by rugby since the Super comp started (or at least it's pretty close)

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[waiopehu oldboy]

So advertising, even of the "this program is brought to you by 'x'" variety, just isn't a factor?

 

[Strewthcobber]

So advertising, even of the "this program is brought to you by 'x'" variety, just isn't a factor?

Definitely a factor. I think Foxtel make about 25% of their revenue from advertising (give or take). Just not as big a factor as for FTA