Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Rebel man]

The draw is going to be a massive issue for any FTA broadcaster. They are going to want consistency of product and they're not going to get it. They'll want to schedule a rugby show from say 7:00-9:30pm every Friday and/or Saturday night.

How can you build an audience if you don't have a game to show?

"Sorry, Channel 10 we don't have anything for you to televise for the next couple of weeks. Couldn't you just pop on a few re-runs of Friends for the next fortnight?"

That’s why they have to get rid of the South African sides

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Just a constraint in the algorithm that produces the draw. There has to be an Australian home game every Friday night. Let the computer figure it out

 

[Strewthcobber]

Not always that simple. Broncos and Storm have a mortgage on Friday nights at their stadiums. Add in byes, long away trips and derbys and you end up with not many options for a Friday night in some weeks

 

[wamberal]

Not always that simple. Broncos and Storm have a mortgage on Friday nights at their stadiums. Add in byes, long away trips and derbys and you end up with not many options for a Friday night in some weeks

And there are fairly regular complaints about scheduling in the NRL. Impossible to please the viewers, and the competitors, and the broadcaster equally.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Not always that simple. Broncos and Storm have a mortgage on Friday nights at their stadiums. Add in byes, long away trips and derbys and you end up with not many options for a Friday night in some weeks

I thought they were trying to lock in Saturday night. So Rugby audience was tuned in from 3:00 pm Shute Shield, then 5:30 NZ game and then 7:30 Aus game, continuous Rugby.

Where does GRR fit ??

Why we need a NSW & QLD GRR side to help fill broadcast gaps and strategic scheduling to allow Aus U20 and Aus womens and Aus 7,s to fill gaps etc

 

[wamberal]

Not sure how we schedule Sevens "strategically"? Not live games, anyway.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I thought they were trying to lock in Saturday night. So Rugby audience was tuned in from 3:00 pm Shute Shield, then 5:30 NZ game and then 7:30 Aus game, continuous Rugby.

Where does GRR fit ??

Why we need a NSW & QLD GRR side to help fill broadcast gaps and strategic scheduling to allow Aus U20 and Aus womens and Aus 7,s to fill gaps etc

I've actually have been wondering whether RA block of content contains anything relatiing to 7s.

 

[Archie]

I still reckon FTA is ded or dying as badly as Rugby and i can't see how a dying medium will save a dying sporting code. Future is streaming - that's why i hope Optus bid. That and i hate Rupert.

https://www.channelnews.com.au/optus-wont-bid-for-rugby-despite-lions-tour-inclusion-claim-insiders/

Optus will not take on Rugby Australia according to sources despite the inclusion of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour in RA’s next broadcast deal.

Sources at the carrier have told ChannelNews that Rugby is seen as being in decline and “does not make sense” and that what is happening right now is “posturing” by management.

“Rugby Union in Australia is on a death roll attendance is down, few people are watching games yet Rugby Australia wants broadcasters to splash the cash for a code that is seriously struggling” said one insider.

 

[Derpus]

'According to sources' mmk

 

[dru]

'According to sources' mmk

With a determined 1st post.

Yeah, nah. I don't think so.

 

[ForceFan]

Where does GRR fit ??

GRR doesn't need to fit in with anything as it's working to a totally different market/audience - Asia/Pacific.

The hot tip is live streaming for GRR in 2020 which will mean replays and watch it whenever you want.

I reckon the first expansion for GRR will be into Asia and maybe one other East Coast Oz side.
Would be good to see the 6 teams become 10 teams in 2021.

 

[Pfitzy]

I've actually have been wondering whether RA block of content contains anything relatiing to 7s.

I think those rights are negotiated by WR (World Rugby). Hence why you see some games streamed on their site, then others locked down to the host networks.

 

[Slim 293]

https://www.channelnews.com.au/optus-wont-bid-for-rugby-despite-lions-tour-inclusion-claim-insiders/

Optus will not take on Rugby Australia according to sources despite the inclusion of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour in RA’s next broadcast deal.

Sources at the carrier have told ChannelNews that Rugby is seen as being in decline and “does not make sense” and that what is happening right now is “posturing” by management.

“Rugby Union in Australia is on a death roll attendance is down, few people are watching games yet Rugby Australia wants broadcasters to splash the cash for a code that is seriously struggling” said one insider.

Hmmmm......... where did David Richards copy and paste that from?

https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/phantom/11580270

 

[Slim 293]

According to Pandaram in the Tele this morning.........

Nearly two weeks after putting their broadcast rights to the open market, Rugby Australia only has two networks showing interest: 10 and Optus.

Existing broadcast partner Fox Sports has not signed the non-disclosure agreement sent out by RA on February 14, which means Optus has no digital rival for rugby’s rights thus far.

Fox Sports insiders have informed The Daily Telegraph they will not make a bid for rugby, having walked away from negotiations last month after a breakdown in relations with RA boss Raelene Castle.

However, RA sources believe Fox is still bluffing, and may come in with a late bid.

To do so, they would need to sign the non-disclosure agreement.

etc. etc.

He goes on to write that 10 are only interested in the Wallabies tests and possibly one live Super Rugby match on Saturday, with Optus to grab the lot - Wallabies tests, Super Rugby, women's rugby, sevens and club rugby.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/channel-10-and-optus-the-only-networks-showing-interest-in-rugby-australias-tv-rights/news-story/cbd9a97a511770de556e7c2f7993c138&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21suffix=61-b

 

[Adam84]

Foxtel playing hardball, they don’t want rugby to set a dangerous precedent for future broadcast negotiations, like the NRL/AFL next year. 100% Foxtel will come to the party and make a bid, even if it’s no more then what they previously offered.

 

[Slim 293]

I've been on the Optus bandwagon, but my question is.............

Will they include the other Rugby Championship tests in with the package?

I would like to assume they would be included with the Wallabies tests as part of a SANZAAR deal, but obviously that's problematic if they remain on Foxtel.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Interesting article in today's Age. Amazon Prime are sticking their toe in the water regarding AFL, paying $10m to have a bunch of documentaries produced.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...d-shake-up-the-afl-on-tv-20200224-p543v4.html

 

[Strewthcobber]

I've been on the Optus bandwagon, but my question is.....

Will they include the other Rugby Championship tests in with the package?

I would like to assume they would be included with the Wallabies tests as part of a SANZAAR deal, but obviously that's problematic if they remain on Foxtel.

all of SANZAR will be included in the deal.

Foxtel may still have other games for rights they've won eg Six nations, Premiership etc

 

[barbarian]

So Foxtel are publicly walking away, in the hopes that Optus reduce their bid and either it sends RA broke, or Foxtel can come in with a late lowball offer and win the rights?

It's a pretty grubby way to do things.

As much as it may inconvenience me, I am increasingly hoping that Optus wins the rights so I can cancel my Kayo subscription and tell them why.

 

[Sully]

It's funny how the telegraph knows the inner workings of what's happening. Are they affiliated with Foxtel in any way?