Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[JRugby2]

One of the big disruptions was the on-demand aspect which previously was an additional cost on Foxtel, although the IQ technology was moving in the right direction.

Now even basic Foxtel has a lot of on demand content, including movies.

But also because there were so few players it just gave way for a decent content offering at an affordable price point. Now it's gone completely the opposite we're 90% of the content is shit that pads out the library and you get 1-2 shows / blockbuster movies for your subscription which has doubled in price.

Sport is basically the same with how fragmented it is - and sadly my guess is that we probably wont see a big player splash heaps of cash to bring in a lot of the major sports under the one roof, because we've proven that they don't need to spend that money and buy those rights, to get us to sign up anyway

 

[Derpus]

It's crazy that streaming was once the big disrupter to major cable/ subscription TV - undercutting the market significantly, and yet now about a decade and a bit on - we yearn for the good old days of foxtel

I wouldn't say yearn... but it does seem that the 'enshittification' of streaming is in full swing.

 

[LeCheese]

I wouldn't say yearn... but it does seem that the 'enshittification' of streaming is in full swing.

As evidenced somewhat by Optus, it isn't sustainable long term for the platforms or customers.

It's going one of two ways over the next decade imo - either we see a shift back towards only a couple of giants (probably Saudi-backed, let's be real) that have the ability to throw more money than everyone else, or - and this is mainly applicable to sports/live broadcasts - we get a bunch of self-broadcast content, the likes of NBA League Pass / F1 TV.

Personally, at least for the big leagues, I think it'll be the latter.

 

[Slim 293]

HBO and ESPN are expected to leave Foxtel this year...

Kayo, and the major Australian sports, will be the only thing worthwhile left for DAZN.

 

[PhilClinton]

Lets not forget Telstra customers used to get the NRL and AFL streaming for free about 6 years ago.

Those were the days.

 

[Ignoto]

we yearn for the good old days of foxtel

There's an overlap between those who were able to watch Australia 2 win Americas cup being the ones who yearn for Foxtel.

One of the big disruptions was the on-demand aspect which previously was an additional cost on Foxtel, although the IQ technology was moving in the right direction.

Now even basic Foxtel has a lot of on demand content, including movies.

I dunno Phil, Foxtel were still kicking and screaming having to put everything on a mobile application for users to use.

I am Airplaying the College Football final on an Apple TV from Foxtel Go on an OLED screen and the quality is probably less than 720p.

 

[Major Tom]

One of the big disruptions was the on-demand aspect which previously was an additional cost on Foxtel, although the IQ technology was moving in the right direction.

Now even basic Foxtel has a lot of on demand content, including movies.

Fox has HBO one of their main draw-cards in my opinion but not for long. Binge is going to be worthless when that’s gone.

 

[Derpus]

The rate of change in what a streaming service offers is also fucking annoying. I went from being a good, legal consumer to basically pirate everything except live sport (and I pirate some of that).

 

[Adam84]

Interesting that there’s no mention of Stan, would have thought Stan would have been prime for some of this content

Aussie swim fans win big with huge announcement

Nine reveals 10-year deal

wwos.nine.com.au

 

[PhilClinton]

I read today that the UFC are in the market for a new broadcast deal at the end of 2025 and with the WWE signing with Netflix recently, I reckon its almost certain they acquire some pay per view events from 2026.

 

[LeCheese]

I read today that the UFC are in the market for a new broadcast deal at the end of 2025 and with the WWE signing with Netflix recently, I reckon its almost certain they acquire some pay per view events from 2026.

Fully expect this as well.

Just to add - to spell it out for those unaware, as of September, UFC and WWE are both owned by TKO/Endeavour

 

[Tomikin]

I read today that the UFC are in the market for a new broadcast deal at the end of 2025 and with the WWE signing with Netflix recently, I reckon its almost certain they acquire some pay per view events from 2026.

isnt ufc in Australia now exclusive to Foxtel, well ppv is, its why I now illegal stream them all, when before I was lazy and bought it on fetch. Might have to go back to being a pirate too

 

[PhilClinton]

isnt ufc in Australia now exclusive to Foxtel, well ppv is, its why I now illegal stream them all, when before I was lazy and bought it on fetch. Might have to go back to being a pirate too

I imagine that deal would be aligned with their overall broadcast agreement with ESPN.

The same way WWE was on Binge and Kayo until January but is now on Netflix.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

"Netflix’s current co-chief executives say they have no plans to compete for exclusive TV rights for major sporting leagues, despite a foray into live coverage helping the streaming platform to achieve record growth over the past three months."

They like the events and it drives eye balls. Xmas day NFL was one that was great. I could see them expanding this method over ever wanting full rights. Can't say they aren't doing it right. Over 300m subscribers now. Paul v Tyson the most streamed sporting event ever as depressing as that is and xmas day NFL was the most streamed Football games of all time.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Netflix will have their analytics in place and the advantage of being market leading

The number of people willing to pay money for a streaming subscription to a sport, who aren't already paying for Netflix must be pretty tiny.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Netflix have cancelled plans for any future six nations "Full Contact" seasons.

Don't think we really got the "Drive to Survive" effect we were hoping for there......

'Six Nations: Full Contact' Canceled at Netflix; No Plans for Season 3 in 2026

The news comes ahead of season 2 dropping on Netflix on January 29th, 2025.

www.whats-on-netflix.com

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

IMO it was just OK.

Didn't have me hooked like DTS did during Covid which was also a factor for binge watching. I even got deep on Sunderland till I die and I have no interest in Soccer.

I hope more sides get on board with what almost every US team and now NRL teams and produce their own YouTube series through pre season and season. I know they are propoganda pieces but still fun to somewhat see the workings of a side.

 

[Ignoto]

Don't think we really got the "Drive to Survive" effect we were hoping for there......

I tried getting into it and similar to the Australian series on the failed WC, just couldn't.

I may be the minority, but because these shows come out so far post the match, I've lost interest and don't really care for it.

It'd take a substantial amount more from an editing perspective, but, I think these episodes need to run concurrent to the event. An episode really needs to come out a couple of days post match as that's when the interest is peaking, not months down the road.

The closest thing I can point to is, about a decade, the then Greenedge Cycling (the Australian Pro Cycling team owned by Gerry Ryan) had a guy call Dan Jones film all the behind the scenes footage of the large cycling races (i.e. TDF/Giro/Vuelta) and he'd upload what happened that day. It was fantastic to watch every morning post stage and really brought you inside the team.

It'd require a huge amount of man power from and editing perspective, but as the saying goes; striking when the iron is hot.

 

[JRugby2]

IMO it was just OK.

Didn't have me hooked like DTS did during Covid which was also a factor for binge watching. I even got deep on Sunderland till I die and I have no interest in Soccer.

I hope more sides get on board with what almost every US team and now NRL teams and produce their own YouTube series through pre season and season. I know they are propoganda pieces but still fun to somewhat see the workings of a side.

Man this was a great show.

From a pure entertainment/ much watch perspective - RA really missed a trick with their Eddie/RWC doco in not taking this approach.

Watching Sunderland's downfall when the whole point of the show was supposed to be documenting their return to the premier league was/ is some of the best stuff going around.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The gritty stuff of seeing players go through the daily rigmarole gets viewers in. Something about single camera type scenes of the taxi driver talking about his side or a player struggling in physio is interesting. CA did it pretty well with Amazon I thought.

Watching Ellis Genge drive around his home town for me was just a bit too staged. I think people would rather just have them watch him work out and have a normal day.

I tried getting into it and similar to the Australian series on the failed WC, just couldn't.

I may be the minority, but because these shows come out so far post the match, I've lost interest and don't really care for it.

It'd take a substantial amount more from an editing perspective, but, I think these episodes need to run concurrent to the event. An episode really needs to come out a couple of days post match as that's when the interest is peaking, not months down the road.

The closest thing I can point to is, about a decade, the then Greenedge Cycling (the Australian Pro Cycling team owned by Gerry Ryan) had a guy call Dan Jones film all the behind the scenes footage of the large cycling races (i.e. TDF/Giro/Vuelta) and he'd upload what happened that day. It was fantastic to watch every morning post stage and really brought you inside the team.

It'd require a huge amount of man power from and editing perspective, but as the saying goes; striking when the iron is hot.

It's why people have loved Hard Knocks in the NFL. It's one week behind so it's still news cycle worthy and you look forward to an episode because you've read the article but now want to see it play out.