V8 Supercars bosses are confident they can drive a hard television rights bargain in the wake of the AFL’s record-breaking deal.
The AFL’s $1.253 billion five-year TV deal is set to change the landscape for Australian sport, with the V8s one of the next cabs off the negotiation rank.
Their TV rights contract ends at the end of 2012.
There are several schools of thought as to how other sports’ television deals might be shaped by the Seven Network and Foxtel securing AFL rights from 2012 to 2016.
One is that the AFL deal lessens the pool of TV money available for other sports.
Another is that it makes them more sought after because networks need further sporting content.
Foxtel continues to be an aggressive seeker of sports programming to drive subscriber growth, while the Nine and Ten networks’ failure to get AFL could leave programming gaps they need to fill.
Current V8 broadcaster Seven’s intentions will become clearer next year when the V8s are made to work around the new AFL deal, which features four free-to-air matches and more live games.
V8 Supercars chief executive Martin Whitaker is confident his sport is in a strong bargaining position as negotiations continue with interested television networks.
“Our product’s very healthy, our racing’s great,” Whitaker told AAP.
“We’ve got really good content, improving content. We know we’re an advertiser’s dream.
“Irrespective of the deal (the AFL) have done, we’d negotiate hard anyway.
“They’ve done a great deal, it’s great for Australian sport.
“We’re a different sport. We’ve got other qualities, other advantages.”
The National Rugby League’s television deal also expires at the end of 2012, and that will also influence greatly how other sports fare.
The Ten Network, with new boss Lachlan Murdoch’s penchant for rugby league well known, is tipped to make a huge play for the NRL rights.
Ten is also seen as a key suitor for the V8s.
The network held the rights before Seven secured them in the previous deal.
Daniels
Guest
Interesting that the new car of the future regulations are going to be brought in as a new rights deal is being signed. A guess that is why they have delayed it's introduction as I am certain the teams could of implimented the changes well before the 2013 deadline. For Al from ctown the reason the other manufactures have been unable to enter have been due to the prevous homogation rules that where present, and they apparently stopes other manufactures from entering. They are hoping that relaxing the requirements and replacing it with a range of minimum requirements, as they have with the CotF, might encourage a few more teams to come in, I am seriously hoping Toyota get on board. Should be able to produce quite strong vehicles. In terms of rights, I can see ten getting the V8's, I would say some of the debacles they have had, with the coverage cutting out for AFL and what was a largely delayed Bathurst 1000, they would be stupid to give it to 7 again. 9 would be a dark horse. On the NRL, we sHould all be wantin a better deal for Melbourne, and have us actually receive some form of coverage unlike now.
Jake Stevenson
Guest
Obviously not an actual Motorsport follower if you didn't know that manufacturer rules were changing with the CotF introduction soon. I personally see ten getting V8s and 9 keeping NRL -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Al from ctown
Guest
I hope your right... Would love to see toyota and dodge in there... But your right, why would they bother... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Kris
Guest
I'm pretty sure they have allowed them in. They recently approved it from next year moving forward. There are just no other manufacturers willing to stump up cash in this economic environment -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Al from ctown
Guest
They are kidding themselves... I'd rather watch NASCAR... That's how boring the v8's have become. Maybe if they let other manufacturers in... Not just the holdenford they all race... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.