Rugby is a beautiful sport. From a Victorian perspective, I get to put away my Rebels jersey (for now), blow the dust off my Wallabies jersey (although it’s new) and immerse myself in national pride. Something Australian Rules doesn’t offer.
Luckily for me, I’m privileged to have Foxtel, who show all Wallabies Tests live (and in high definition). Unfortunately those without Foxtel and more importantly, for those not in New South Wales or Queensland, coverage is virtually non-existent.
Many know the Rebel Army, and my connection with it. You may remember a campaign run by the Army last year, simply called “Rugby On Free To Air”. The aim of the campaign was to have the former free-to-air rugby broadcaster the Seven Network broadcast Wallabies Tests live into Victoria.
The campaign has been relaunched, with much more firepower and support this time, and in the cross-hair is the new broadcaster, the Nine Network.
Much like the Seven Network before it, the Nine Network are refusing to broadcast Wallabies Tests live into any other state bar New South Wales or Queensland. The networks have often cited lack of interest in other states.
As part of the campaign, we began a series of tactics against Nine. This started with individual calls to the Network itself and talkback radio, emails and constant bombardment of their Facebook fan page. According to the administrator of the fan page, this prompted Nine to organise a meeting with the programming department, with the result being, they’re refusing to budge.
To the intelligent rugby supporter or even general sport enthusiast, it seems to be never-ending wheel of ignorance and stupidity by these networks.
The arguments in support have been strong and clear. Why buy the rights if you’re not going to responsibly broadcast them in a timely and fair manner? Have you looked at crowd figures for both previous Test matches and the 2011 Super Rugby season?
The Australian Rugby Union are very reluctant to weigh into the debate, due to much-required revenue from the broadcaster. On the other hand, for a sport which is often rated as the fourth football code in Australia, you’d think they would want the sport exposed to the greatest possible audience?
It’s about this time the ignorant punch out the ‘Get Foxtel’ jibe. Sure Foxtel is necessary for greater rugby content, however the fact remains, all Australians should have the right to watch their national team perform on the international stage, live and free. This argument has no greater emphasis in 2011, considering the World Cup.
It’s also about quantity rather than quality, reaching the maximum potential audience, showcasing to them the game they play in heaven.
Click here to read more about the campaign and how you can join the good fight.
Rodney Penny
Roar Pro
Well, the executives know it won't rate in the other states. I mean, do you honestly think that those executives haven't tried every avenue possible to make sure they get the programs in line to respective region's television audiences? There's too much money at stake not to tick all the boxes. Now, here in South Australia, both forms of Rugby are virtually non existent. Until a few years ago I actually thought Rugby was just one game, until a family friend who's a Queenslander educated me on the differences between League and Union. That's how footy focussed this great state is. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, there were a few advertisements on Channel Nine: "The Decider, State of Origin Three, the biggest match of the year, Don't miss it!", you get the story. So I was interested. I mean, I didn't even know State of Origin was on, but I thought, "Hey, it's a Wednesday evening. There's no football. The Crows won't be playing, I might see what all of the fuss is about". So I watched it. It was a spectacle. The Queenslanders especially love their League, so it was interesting to see that another sport actually exists in the football dominated land of the Croweaters. But that's all it is here. A spectacle, a moment of intrigue which fizzles down after a few minutes, wondering why they take so bloody long to score and thinking how one-dimensional the game is. No offence intended, but that's the way we see it over here. Pure and simple. The television figures prove as much: 65,000 viewers in South Australia, with no Pre-Match show, for arguably Rugby League's premier event. You may say that the topic here is Union and not League, but for most South Australians, there is no difference. Both games are almost identical: A bunch of testosterone pumped guys throwing a ball backwards and perhaps there may be a score every thirty minutes or so. At the end of the day, the sport isn't worth marketing and broadcasting in a state with a proud history and a complete love of Australian Football.
Lorry
Guest
Im a union fan, but would actually prefer to watch AFL over league! are there any other union fans out there who feel the same?! Dont know how easy it is going to be to bury those hatchets, Damo!
will
Guest
ahahah all big sporting events get that but you havent proved it!!!
Geordie
Guest
Already happening - I do not have foxtel but manage to see most EPL, A League, NRL, Super Rugby, etc on live sport streaming sites. All a bit dodgy and the picture quality is average but when the NBN kicks in these sites will flourish and a bit like movie and music downloads now, why pay for a product when you can get it free?
Emric
Guest
All that seems to prove is that Australians don't care about international sporting events. The Bled Games where on par games played in the 4-nations event and the only game which broke the one million mark was NZ V Australia, which was followed by only 200 000 in NZ
Emric
Guest
James the first bled game in 2010 had approx 600 000 New Zealanders watch it on Sky + another 375 000 watch it on Prime. This does not include the crowded clubs, bars and rugby clubs - so yes easily more then a million people watch bled games on TV.
james
Guest
what about Anzac test New Zealand Ratings That would Push it up abitt!!! When was the last time the wallabies or any other super 15 teams cracked the 1mill in Australia or New Zealand????
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
I am not sure if that is pitched at me, however, if it is I suggest you go and reread my comments. Then can you explain exactly what is the machine I apparently hate? I don't hate any 'machine'. I merely accept that the user pays model is the way sport will be presented in the foreseeable future. And here is something to ponder, given that PayTV actually props up a number of sports, exactly how much FTA sport do you reckon would survive without subscriptions? Further given that business confidence is currently at record lows, how many companies have the available resources to advertise on TV? What happens to the FTA Ad based subsidised model when companies don't renew their advertising campaigns? The next logical move is for FTA networks to reduce advertising rates, which then means the funding pool for sport further reduces and once again the amount of FTA sponsored and shown sport is reduced. Geddit? Can you see that there is a big chance that in the next few years FTA budgets will not longer support the current level of contract funding the ARU, AFL, NRL etc demand? I'll tell you what I reckon will happen, subscription content delivery will step into the void, whether that is PayTV or IPTv, well who knows but 7,9 and 10 will show less and less. (The anti-siphoning requirements will be unenforceable when FTA doesn't pick up the rights). If it wasn't pitched at me then, Have a nice Sunday.
Sebastien Gruntfuttock
Guest
Beautifully put SWG!
Sebastien Gruntfuttock
Guest
Oh, I always thought it was 'wired world of sports', silly me.
Sebastien Gruntfuttock
Guest
James, the poor ratings of Rugby on free to air might have something to do with the fact that it has never had a consistent airing in that media. All 'unfamiliar' sports take time to build their market share, no exposure equals no growth.
Boomshanka
Guest
So because Packer warehoused AFL into Sydney/ Brisbane some 6 - 10 years ago, we should have to suffer similar hoarding of rugby and rugby league into Melbourne - Some Justification! Yes its a commercial decision for Nine as to whether they wish to show it, however there is no moral commercial justification for not on-selling to say IPTV or FOX. After paying for the rights and production costs they then hoard the game. The reason is simple. Lets not split the advertising dollar for our "great local game" and maximise returns to McGuires and Brownes real commercial concerns (ie the AFL and collingwood football club). This affects the promotion of Rugby, South of the Murray as well hence the rational behind this post. This could be fixed by Channel Nine (Home of Sport - Wide World of Sport etc) by them applying to Senator Conroy to have those games delisted (as Seven have done with AFL and V8's, and Ten with the Netball) with a corresponding commitment to show them on their muti channels. Why Channel Nine won't (while their competitors do) is the real question.
ziggyniscot
Guest
Nope not even close to 1 mill last year for any Wallabies game, even when adding in the Fox figures. See down the bottom of this link. http://www.talkingfooty.com/tv_ratings_2010.php
Boomshanka
Guest
A few problems? You say Eddie is Channel Nine first yet provide no substance to your first sentence. After this weeks revelations re illegal gambling, I'd suggest the order is 1 AFL, 2 Collingwood and 3. Channel Nine. Rugby (or league) will be somewhere down the bottom of the list. For your information, Rugby League can be shown into Melbourne live and has rated well enough to be shown over and above the normal Friday night rubbish on any of the three channels. You are correct that this is a Rugby story. I'm a league man (always have been since a toddler), however I also enjoy watching super rugby on Friday nights, Bledisloe Cup and ITM NZ matches as well as heading down to support the local junior game. In fact, I wrote to the ARU last year with Channel Nine Melbourne's form on showing any sport other than AFL concerned that they would be hoarded. The ARU did reply with the following at the time; "We are also frustrated when Tests are shown live only into the Sydney-Brisbane market. In terms of the next broadcast agreement from 2011 we hope this situation will change but until the agreement is announced we are unable to discuss in any detail. Regards and thanks for your interest, Peter Jenkins" I'm tempted to say "told you so", but yet again, despite the warnings and advise from those who have to rely on Channel Nine for their Sport, we are all losers. We don't need reminding of last years Ashes where we were promised HD coverage "every ball of every game" only to lose the last half hour of each play out of Adelaide and the last hour out of Perth. As to HD coverage, what was the point of upgrading the TV?
p.Tah
Guest
Don't they get 2m? :) I can't recall the exact details but I think he was talking about PayTV, 60% of people who watch NRL on Fox also watch Super Rugby. He was saying that the audiences are not exclusive, there is a high level of crossover.
James
Guest
so SoO rated 3.70 million nationally does that mean as a minimum RU tests should get 2 million nationally? (RU supporters + 60% RL supports)
Emric
Guest
It was one Australian team - Playing a New Zealand team and it rated better then 2 NRL teams playing each other go figure. Also the true figure when you add in New Zealand's stats was closer over 1 million viwers I do not know how many SA would have tuned into the game. Remember - Super Rugby's TV deal is negotated with the media corps of 3 countries not just 1.
p.Tah
Guest
It came from the CEO of SANZAR this week.
James
Guest
Damo, where is this 60% of rl fans watch ru coming from? I ask because rl out rates ru by a huge amount in aus so it doesn't really add up. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Titus
Guest
While I agree that it is dissapointing that you cant see the Wallabies nation wide on FTA, I'm not sure why you are laying the boot into SBS. You cant watch the Australian national Football team live on FTA either in case you haven't noticed.