Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Adam84]

I mean if we are only going to talk about things where we fully understand the costs and what ROI metrics are i.e. have fully informed conversations, we may as well shut down the forum.

From a purely optics point of view, I think it's a positive move and conversation starter that I would like to see rugby doing more of. Obviously within a scope of what options fall within our budget.

I don't think we need to shutdown the forum.

I just think the actions of the NRL in the Vegas round need to be measured against the fact they've openly called it an experiment and are willing/have the capacity to spend tens of $millions on the concept and run it at a loss, hoping it pays off.

There's every chance 2025 could be the last time it's hosted over there if they can't make it profitable. Or it could kick-on and become a profitable venture. It's like the AFL's 'investment' in China a number of years back; they scrapped that concept after failing to make inroads there. All of these ventures have some kind of ROI associated with them that they're aiming for, we might not know the details but i'd say break-even is one at a minimum.

 

[Adam84]

They have the money to throw around.

Even if it doesn't money spin in the US its been plastered across sports coverage here for a month. They found a way to be the headline sports story without any games being played. For Rugby to get air time we have needed the coach to pull the pin and a short clip of JAS walking in the water to launch the season.

I'm not saying anything negative about the concept, as i said last year if it eventually pays off they're laughing.

I'm just reluctant to say advertising the NRL on WWE Netflix is a success without knowing what the cost was and what its ROI would be.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

They'll wait and see the growth and I reckon at least do 1 more if not get all the teams over there at some stage before pulling it. I did hear something in coverage about 5000 English tickets have been sold with Wigan and Warrington playing. Currently 35k sold with 32% coming from within the US.

Might be a harder sell in the next couple of years for the aussies as most who would want to go may have got it out of their system regardless of whos playing.

 

[PhilClinton]

They'll wait and see the growth and I reckon at least do 1 more if not get all the teams over there at some stage before pulling it. I did hear something in coverage about 5000 English tickets have been sold with Wigan and Warrington playing. Currently 35k sold with 32% coming from within the US.

If we are running on the Force success metrics, that is outstanding.

 

[Crashy]

Aussie dollar pretty weak too so may impact the numbers of Aussies going over. Its a bit cringey the whole thing really - like when a kid turns 18 and goes to schoolies - rugba loig is going international!

 

[Adam84]

Nine swapping the FTA broadcast match back to the regular Sat Night timeslot this week

 

[LeCheese]

I can understand why the only fixture with 2 Aus teams is the chosen game this week, but it'll be interesting to see whether they chop and change timeslots depending on the fixtures.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wasn't last week just because they had the NRL/All stars game on Saturday night?

 

[Adam84]

We assumed that was why, but it wasn't stated anywhere. There's also the chance they wanted to leverage the JAS exposure in his first match, not that it translated to viewers

 

[PhilClinton]

Disney+ subs jumping by $3 a month from March.

I wonder if that means ESPN content will start streaming from April or maybe they’re just using the recent announcement to get that price up earlier.

$21 a month for Disney catalog plus all the ESPN sports would be up there with best package in the market. They just need some Aussie sports and it’s a home run…

Either way, will be interesting to see what moves Fox make.

 

[JRugby2]

Disney+ subs jumping by $3 a month from March.

I wonder if that means ESPN content will start streaming from April or maybe they’re just using the recent announcement to get that price up earlier.

$21 a month for Disney catalog plus all the ESPN sports would be up there with best package in the market. They just need some Aussie sports and it’s a home run…

Either way, will be interesting to see what moves Fox make.

It would be really stiff for NBA fans (who don't already pay for D+) to have their content pulled from Kayo as the playoffs are just beginning.

 

[PhilClinton]

Nine swapping the FTA broadcast match back to the regular Sat Night timeslot this week

It would be nice if they could do region specific FTA games.

The Reds debut on Friday night would have been a good one to get broadcast in QLD.

 

[JRugby2]

It would be nice if they could do region specific FTA games.

The Reds debut on Friday night would have been a good one to get broadcast in QLD.

This seems like a no brainer honestly.

 

[PhilClinton]

It would be really stiff for NBA fans (who don't already pay for D+) to have their content pulled from Kayo as the playoffs are just beginning.

Most hardcore NBA fans that I know just pay for League Pass these days, as it has come down significantly in price over the past few years.

But yes, for the casual fans who like the NBA, it is good that ESPN play every single playoff game and it'll be interesting to see where those are streamed.

 

[Slim 293]

It would be really stiff for NBA fans (who don't already pay for D+) to have their content pulled from Kayo as the playoffs are just beginning.

ESPN will remain on there while the current contract is in place, so there's likely going to be an overlap...

 

[PhilClinton]

Surely Fox would have been paying for exclusive ESPN rights in Australia? Or does that not matter in this situation because it's the parent company deciding to stream their own content and not selling to another provider.

 

[Slim 293]

Apparently Foxtel's deal with ESPN finishes up in July...

It's possible Disney don't launch until that date, but the messaging seems to point to Disney having it up and running prior to then.

 

[Slim 293]

Regional specific FTA games would probably have to be negotiated into the broadcast deal...

Speaking of, I only learned yesterday that for the first two months of the AFL season this year the non-Vic teams are losing their previously guaranteed live FTA games in their respective markets when they fall on a Saturday, as part of Fox's Super Saturday under the new broadcast deal.

So, round one's GF replay between the Swans and Lions will be shown on a two hour delay in NSW and Qld on Seven.

 

[JRugby2]

Regional specific FTA games would probably have to be negotiated into the broadcast deal...

Speaking of, I only learned yesterday that for the first two months of the AFL season this year the non-Vic teams are losing their previously guaranteed live FTA games in their respective markets when they fall on a Saturday, as part of Fox's Super Saturday under the new broadcast deal.

So, round one's GF replay between the Swans and Lions will be shown on a two hour delay in NSW and Qld on Seven.

Maybe, but then maybe not.

Usually the broadcaster gets final say as to what programs they put on which channels in which markets.

If Nine thought it was a good idea because they'd net a bigger audience then whatever else they were going to chuck on 9GEM friday night in Bris, Reg QLD and NNSW - I don't think anything would stop them

 

[Slim 293]

Maybe, but then maybe not.

Usually the broadcaster gets final say as to what programs they put on which channels in which markets.

If Nine thought it was a good idea because they'd net a bigger audience then whatever else they were going to chuck on 9GEM friday night in Bris, Reg QLD and NNSW - I don't think anything would stop them

If it was in Nine's interest to do so then yes, they would already be doing it...

As it's not, RA would likely need to negotiate to have regional specific FTA matches every week.