Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Strewthcobber]

The problem with all of this is Nine want you signing up and paying to watch on Stan not on FTA.

There's a balancing act, but they probably want the high profile games on stan.

RAs best play is to schedule their preferred games on Saturday night.

 

[Derpus]

Tangent but it still blows my mind people voluntarily watch FTA TV, particularly in Australia where it is particularly garbage (always was but becomes more so as time passes).

You can obtain anything for free (if you pirate) or with very minimal cost (less than a 6 pack often) with consumate ease. Literally the world of entertainment at your fingertips (barely more effort than turning the TV on) for free or next to it and people still want to plug 10,000 ads and other absolute garbage directly into their brains.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Tangent but it still blows my mind people voluntarily watch FTA TV, particularly in Australia where it is particularly garbage (always was but becomes more so as time passes).

You can obtain anything for free (if you pirate) or with very minimal cost (less than a 6 pack often) with consumate ease. Literally the world of entertainment at your fingertips (barely more effort than turning the TV on) for free or next to it and people still want to plug 10,000 ads and other absolute garbage directly into their brains.

Sort of related, but I'm always surprised by what a massive difference the main channel makes compared to the muilt-channels. There must be hundreds of thousands of people who still just stuck to the main channel only

 

[barbarian]

Tangent but it still blows my mind people voluntarily watch FTA TV, particularly in Australia where it is particularly garbage (always was but becomes more so as time passes).

You can obtain anything for free (if you pirate) or with very minimal cost (less than a 6 pack often) with consumate ease. Literally the world of entertainment at your fingertips (barely more effort than turning the TV on) for free or next to it and people still want to plug 10,000 ads and other absolute garbage directly into their brains.

I still watch a bit of FTA, mainly because I don't want to use my brain at all. There's something lovely about channel surfing and ending up watching an old rerun on ABC Comedy or a Seinfeld ep on Go.

I am paralyzed by choice the moment I fire up the Apple TV. I could watch any show ever made, more or less, and it's too much for me.

 

[Derpus]

I still watch a bit of FTA, mainly because I don't want to use my brain at all. There's something lovely about channel surfing and ending up watching an old rerun on ABC Comedy or a Seinfeld ep on Go.

I am paralyzed by choice the moment I fire up the Apple TV. I could watch any show ever made, more or less, and it's too much for me.

Choice anxiety is a legit explanation, actually.

 

[LeCheese]

Choice anxiety is a legit explanation, actually.

It's one of the reasons some people still prefer radio over streaming - having to contribute any brain power to choice at all, of if it's not to the point of paralysis, can be enough of a barrier.

 

[LeCheese]

The state of things

 

[Derpus]

I swear Australia are so far behind with these things. EPL peaked a decade ago at least. Its pretty fucking boring ATM.

 

[Adam84]

Today in a News Corp paper:

BROADCAST DEAL IMMINENT


The delay in announcing Rugby Australia's new broadcast deal with Nine and Stan Sport doesn't mean the network is getting cold feet.


We understand nearly all terms and conditions are agreed for a five-year extension, but there are just some minor issues to resolve before it is made public.


Expect the announcement to come in a fortnight.


But while RA will make a slight profit on the current $30 million a year deal, they'll be dramatically affected by the staggering projected $NZ60 million loss NZ Rugby will make due to a decreased broadcast agreement, loss of major sponsor Ineos, and their arrangement with private equity firm Silver Lake that allows them to take $20 million out of the game each year.


There is now major pressure on NZR powerbrokers.

 

[Strewthcobber]

This was always the worry for RA.

They get an increased broadcast deal, but less money overall as the revenue sharing from NZRU dries up.

Also, who wrote this? Maybe next time run it by the business editor

But while RA will make a slight profit on the current $30 million a year deal,

 

[Rob42]

So, what did NZRU get back for the cash injection from Silver Lake? I know they distributed money to their unions, but it seems it hasn't boosted revenues enough to cover the $20 million withdrawal each year? Colour me shocked.

 

[Adam84]

So, what did NZRU get back for the cash injection from Silver Lake? I know they distributed money to their unions, but it seems it hasn't boosted revenues enough to cover the $20 million withdrawal each year? Colour me shocked.

Yeah that’s the issue with PE…

the upfront cash provided needs to be spent in a way which lifts earnings by more then the amount you’re giving up. Or the expertise by the PE partner assistant improving commercial output.

English Premier Clubs took the PE deal but then COVID hit and it went all on debt. Now they’ve given up 20% of all future revenue and have nothing to show, hence the issues over there.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

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.

To put this into context, they've sold this across 35 countries with roughly 1/3 from within the US. However, compare this to Rugby where the ABs/Ireland game in Chicago this November sold out in less than an hour. Thats 65k seats.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sides the US don’t know though it’s a pretty good effort. All Blacks hold a place in world sport that draws a crowd. Irish fans will travel as well when it’s not that far for them. There’s sell outs here whenever a premier league side brings basically their youth side to play and some idiot can sing you’ll never walk alone and film themselves,

The Wallabies game at Soldier field was nowhere near a sell out.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Sides the US don’t know though it’s a pretty good effort. All Blacks hold a place in world sport that draws a crowd. Irish fans will travel as well when it’s not that far for them. There’s sell outs here whenever a premier league side brings basically their youth side to play and some idiot can sing you’ll never walk alone and film themselves,

The Wallabies game at Soldier field was nowhere near a sell out.

The ABs jersey isn't as strong a draw card in the US as it is in other parts of the world. Not in terms of the general sports fan. Definitely within the US Rugby scene. But that's as far as it extends.

And it's that community that the NRL are looking to appeal to. Those that know the game.

 

[Omar Comin']

Sides the US don’t know though it’s a pretty good effort. All Blacks hold a place in world sport that draws a crowd. Irish fans will travel as well when it’s not that far for them. There’s sell outs here whenever a premier league side brings basically their youth side to play and some idiot can sing you’ll never walk alone and film themselves,

The Wallabies game at Soldier field was nowhere near a sell out.

Ireland may be the bigger draw in cities like Chicago and Boston where there's large populations of Irish Americans. There's actually a lot more Irish Americans than there are Irish in Ireland. Most descend from 19th century immigrants but there's still a pretty strong cultural connection for many.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Ireland may be the bigger draw in cities like Chicago and Boston where there's large populations of Irish Americans. There's actually a lot more Irish Americans than there are Irish in Ireland. Most descend from 19th century immigrants but there's still a pretty strong cultural connection for many.

If you ever have the chance to visit Dublin look up the EPIC Irish Immigration Museum. You quickly come to learn how many influential Americans are of Irish heritage.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The ABs jersey isn't as strong a draw card in the US as it is in other parts of the world. Not in terms of the general sports fan. Definitely within the US Rugby scene. But that's as far as it extends.

And it's that community that the NRL are looking to appeal to. Those that know the game.

I doubt the Wallabies v Ireland in Chicago would be close to a sell out though.

If you ever have the chance to visit Dublin look up the EPIC Irish Immigration Museum. You quickly come to learn how many influential Americans are of Irish heritage.

The links are deep and were even the backbone of the IRA funding by Americans sending money. Whatever your thoughts are on it that has passion behind it.

 

[Adam84]

I think it's relevant to this conversation considering advertising has been featured over the past couple of pages.

RA is clawing for a seat at the table and trying to prime our audience as we lead into the Lions and home RWC, and we've been given a couple of very meh billboards.

Chris Jericho (now at AEW) was out and about touring Brisbane over the weekend, millions of views on his stories as he caught City Cats and walked around the river. The QRU should have got him to chuck on a jersey! Give us something out of the box please

There you go Phil…
Drake wearing Reds jersey and sharing it on Insta to his 143million followers

 

[PhilClinton]

The QRU marketing team obviously reading the forums! Bravo.