Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Adam84]

Does the winning bonus apply to Super Rugby? Seems a bit odd to single out the NZ sides for a beating. Every local derby, of course, has a winning and losing team, barring draws. I reckon it probably only applies to Wallabies' games.

from the AFR article;

“Several sources familiar with the negotiations, not authorised to speak publicly, said the new agreement is expected to include cash incentives related to the performance of the men’s national team and Super Rugby clubs, which have struggled to attract viewers over the past decade because of their poor win-loss rate. The targets could deliver more than $30 million in extra cash for the code over five years if they are met, the sources said”.

 

[dru]

RA re-schedules future tours to focus on giving back to the second tier. EOYT to be modified for Fiji, Samoa, Georgia and USA. Also the 6N stalwart, Wales.

 

[Wilson]

Does the winning bonus apply to Super Rugby? Seems a bit odd to single out the NZ sides for a beating. Every local derby, of course, has a winning and losing team, barring draws. I reckon it probably only applies to Wallabies' games.

Every article has described the performance bonuses as applying to Wallabies and Super Rugby sides, without any specific breakdown of what they would be. My guess is the lions share would be wallabies focused, with the super rugby bonuses only focused around finals appearances rather than win % - that's the content that would provide a value bump, particularly for Nine selling add space around a FTA broadcast of it.

How those super rugby derived bonuses are distributed would likely be up to RA, but it probably shouldn't flow directly to those teams winning from a competition balance stand point. A bonus for them makes some sense as incentive (though finals participation general comes with improved financial performance already), but with the way the salary cap is managed it doesn't really make a lot of sense to distribute lumpy payments above that to teams doing well. Direct grassroots investment of it in the winning states/territory by RA wouldn't be the worst compromise though, it rewards the super side without exacerbating imbalances in the competition and directly engages the fan base of those teams at time they're going to be most receptive.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

RA re-schedules future tours to focus on giving back to the second tier. EOYT to be modified for Fiji, Samoa, Georgia and USA. Also the 6N stalwart, Wales.

Can't help but think we'd drop a game to them though and get fined somehow.

 

[PhilClinton]

How those super rugby derived bonuses are distributed would likely be up to RA, but it probably shouldn't flow directly to those teams winning from a competition balance stand point. A bonus for them makes some sense as incentive (though finals participation general comes with improved financial performance already), but with the way the salary cap is managed it doesn't really make a lot of sense to distribute lumpy payments above that to teams doing well. Direct grassroots investment of it in the winning states/territory by RA wouldn't be the worst compromise though, it rewards the super side without exacerbating imbalances in the competition and directly engages the fan base of those teams at time they're going to be most receptive.

Can't help but think any financial incentives passed through to Super Rugby teams for winning or making finals etc. could drive a portion of those funds directly into the pockets of the executives and coaches at each club.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Any incentive payment for Super Rugby from the broadcaster will go straight in to RA's general revenue. The Super Rugby teams may see a portion of it, but they'd all get an equal share as per the constitution. It's not prize money.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Without knowing the details of the process, it still seems odd to me that in every local derby match there is an Aussie winner and an Aussie loser. Assuming the bonus is a consistent amount (and it may not be, but bringing a judgemt into deciding any particular bonus amout has its own problems) then why not simply incorporate a known amount that relates to the number of derby matches into the overall deal?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Without knowing the details of the process, it still seems odd to me that in every local derby match there is an Aussie winner and an Aussie loser. Assuming the bonus is a consistent amount (and it may not be, but bringing a judgemt into deciding any particular bonus amout has its own problems) then why not simply incorporate a known amount that relates to the number of derby matches into the overall deal?

My assumption is the broadcaster will pay RA more money each year if Australian teams make QF, SF or Finals, or win the comp (and probably even more if they are home games in good timeslots)

 

[Braveheart81]

Without knowing the details of the process, it still seems odd to me that in every local derby match there is an Aussie winner and an Aussie loser. Assuming the bonus is a consistent amount (and it may not be, but bringing a judgemt into deciding any particular bonus amout has its own problems) then why not simply incorporate a known amount that relates to the number of derby matches into the overall deal?

I would be very surprised if the potential broadcast bonus relating to Super Rugby provides an additional amount of money each time an Australian team records a win.

Strewthcobber's suggestion is far more likely.

 

[barbarian]

This actually is similar to what the NRL has with Fox, I think. Though I believe their agreement is tied to criminal proceedings/sexual scandals, rather than on-field wins etc.

 

[stoff]

Without knowing the details of the process, it still seems odd to me that in every local derby match there is an Aussie winner and an Aussie loser. Assuming the bonus is a consistent amount (and it may not be, but bringing a judgemt into deciding any particular bonus amout has its own problems) then why not simply incorporate a known amount that relates to the number of derby matches into the overall deal?

Isn’t that just the base deal?

 

[SouthernX]

Unsure the place to post this news gem - so this seems most appropriated place

In what appears to be a huge blow for the NRL (in my eyes) and their expansion into USA market

looks like MLR will be broadcasted live on espn for this year onwards

15s should get a huge bump in USA only further confusing anyone interested in 13s.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

MLR to be on ESPN+ (Online streaming) and selected games on ESPN2 so while it's good it's only going to be seen by those seeking it out.

The NRL won't care about that. They got the Raider v Warriors game on Fox FTA channel and the Sharks v Panthers on Fox Sports 1.

Best thing the MLR has done is create a route for kids through School > University > MLR and hopefully higher pro comps which may help the US national team (Canada seems gone) but may come back if they could ride the US slow growth.

 

[SouthernX]

Folks will seek out MLR ghost.

espn2 gets airtime in bars. There’s a huge void of footy content for Americans during baseball season. The NFL might be the longest offseason in all of sports worldwide.

V’landys (the horse racing guy) having his token RL fixtures on one Saturday night on Fox FTA… no one tuned in last year - so I’m interested on USA viewerships this year round.

actually believe the format could be a fizzler with the poms and the woman breaking up the NRL doubleheader…

 

[SouthernX]

Anyways probably not the place to discuss this Aussie broadcasting thread

im just happy for the yanks because momentum is building for 2031 for our game being an absolute mainstream code across the pacific

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

MLR to be on ESPN+ (Online streaming) and selected games on ESPN2 so while it's good it's only going to be seen by those seeking it out.

The NRL won't care about that. They got the Raider v Warriors game on Fox FTA channel and the Sharks v Panthers on Fox Sports 1.

Best thing the MLR has done is create a route for kids through School > University > MLR and hopefully higher pro comps which may help the US national team (Canada seems gone) but may come back if they could ride the US slow growth.

Difference with this is that there's no chance of games being bumped. While the NRL have those games at anytime they could be bumped. Happened last year. They may be a big dog here but in the States they don't matter.

There's some speculation that this deal comes with a financial benefit for MLR and ESPN+ comes bundled with Disney+ and Hulu in the US.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Any financial benefit is good for that comp. The amount of lost teams is bonkers from year to year and really stunts any growth. It'll never be an elite comp or draw big audiences but if it can keep it's head above water that's a win. It will be in competition with Lacrosse, Flag football and Disc Golf for that spare TV time slot.

 

[liquor box]

So will my ESPN app that is linked to foxtel have the rugby too?

 

[SouthernX]

So will my ESPN app that is linked to foxtel have the rugby too?

I really hope so.

I got foxtel as well and miss channel surfing and finding a random rugby game.

Few Aussies abroad in MLR so I bet there’s interests televising select games on espn 2.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

So will my ESPN app that is linked to foxtel have the rugby too?

Good question. Regardless you will be able to access the international feed via the TRN app.