When The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Channel Nine had decided (sorry “requested”) the first two NRL games it would televise in 2014, it was both good news and bad for me.
The good news was that it’s only a bit over four months until the NRL is back on TV. The bad news is that it will still be on Nine.
I always thought that the NRL erred in the construction of its much-trumpeted billion dollar deal with Nine and Fox. The headline points seemed more about announcing that they had done a billion dollar deal, than about properly servicing the fans now, and over the life of the deal.
Had the NRL not done a billion dollar deal, then the media (or at least the Telegraph) would have said that the old administration was on track to deliver the billion and the new administration, under John Grant and David Smith, had failed to get it over the line.
I don’t think the NRL should have cared.
In getting the billion dollar headline the NRL gave up significant scheduling control to Nine, daytime grand finals, live Sunday games, and they kept the second Friday night game – on delay, and choc full of ads.
That didn’t sound great at the time and, a year in, it seems more archaic.
Had the NRL taken less money, they would have copped flack from some quarters (quarters that will give them flack no matter what) but secured greater control over their own product – which, in the long run, would have been a better bargain for the fans.
At the press conference to announce the deal, David Gyngell was very vocal about the fact that if you pay the big money you get to decide these things. He was, he said, “unapologetic”.
Phil Gould has been very vocal on behalf of his employer against complaints about the delayed games, saying that the fans can’t expect to get big money into the game without watching ads, and delayed telecasts offer greater opportunity for ads.
They do, and they also ignore modern technological reality and the overseas experience.
All of the content industries, particularly TV, face an existential threat to their business model, from torrent downloading, and TIVO, IQ and similar services that allow ads to be skipped, fast forwarded or deleted. There is now very little appointment viewing of the type so beloved by advertisers.
One of the few exceptions is sport – live sport. It continues to attract increasingly large money from broadcasters and advertisers because it remains attractive to large numbers of viewers as a live event, rather than one to be collected and viewed later.
It is also one where, increasingly, fans participate on second screens, in real time.
If you pay big money for live sport, and show it on delay, you lose all of those benefits and goodwill and ancillary opportunities. The ratings for the Sunday game haven’t gone down because people don’t like footy, they’ve gone down because people aren’t prepared to be told when and how they can watch shows (or events) any more.
You might, as Channel Nine does, argue that the fans need to understand the economic reality but they really don’t. Customers just want what they want, in all businesses.
Networks like Nine need to understand that making their customers dislike them is the worst business model of all.
Just ask major record companies.
lumpy
Guest
"The game belongs to you".......CRAP! If it belonged to us there would be no betting odds or betting ads. Neither would the telecast be delayed here in Toadland. We must be silent partners.
Haz
Guest
Don't forget, part of the TV rights deal is Nine relinquishing first/last rights. This bizarre and antiquated clause is the BS that meant the NRL was handcuffed to Nine for the last bajillion years. Ditching this shows a good amount of forward thinking, because as well as taking Nine for lots of cold hard CASH, it means the NEXT deal can actually be fairly negotiated amongst all and sundry, and we can get quality TV in five years time. Sometimes it's worth playing the long game.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Err, what does being synonymous with league have to do with being a good or bad commentator? I agree Lewis keeps his dribble away from the mic but his delivery is just horrendous. If he spoke normally instead of as a 'commentator' things might be different. I'm sorry guvna, but I think he is a terrible commentator. Only Sterling is class in that group. The rest are useless (though I think Johns could have a future).
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
If the game is between say Roosters v Rabbitohs, the crowd turn up ... If it is game between Titans V Eels the crowds are dismal ... I'm not talking finals ... The other bone of contention I have is the draw which is reflective of what games are broadcast ... For my mind, I believe that teams in the top 8 this year should feature in the first 13 rounds on FREE TO AIR games, against their opposition from the bottom half 9th to 16th - 4 FTA games per week would enable that to happen on a rotation ie. 1st to 4th against 16th to 13th - 5th to 8th against 12 to 9th ... And, as the teams sit on the NRL ladder after commencing Round 14 and rotating as for the first 13 rounds. Fans should be demanding to see the best teams and the NRL should respect and be promoting the best of its product.
Muzz
Guest
Great win this morning.The average crowds are only down marginally.Do yo think that 3 FTA games a week on 9 would further effect these numbers?
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
The Melbourne Storm have in over 15,000 members, they don't always get that number of fans attending their games whether that be in Melbourne and many other league clubs are in the same boat, regardless if their membership exceeds that of the Storm - check the stats - Game attendances have been poor during the 26 rounds for some years ... Many fans hail from country areas and most have a large following in Qld, NSW, Vic and WA ... I didn't go to one single Storm game this year - However in 2012 and other years have taken the opportunity to fly to Melbourne when possible ... With Storm fans from my neck of the woods, it's timing (ie., Friday and or Monday games), expense, where they played and whether the game was televised that was the determining factor ... In 2012 they played in Mackay against the Bulldogs ... Less than 10,000 fans jammed into Virgin Stadium and Nine broadcast that game on their usual Sunday delayed telecast ... This year it was the Bulldogs V Knights and approximately 7000 turned up - Organisers where and are concerned - Virgin Stadium has recently been taken over by Mackay Regional Council and they are have been openly disparaging about its future due to administration, marketing, and budgeting issues - "A White Elephant" ??? CQ - Rockhampton are bidding for a place in the NRL extention program and the NRL are taking their bid seriously ... Mackay Cutters (Qld Cup Premiers 2013), are affiliated with the Cowboys, and it is expected that CQRL will also affiliate with Mackay RL - I think Denis Keeffe (I have great confidence in him as a league Adminstrator), hopefully is factoring in the failure of Virgin Stadium, because Rockhampton has not built their stadium yet, and is a long way off being a rugby league mecca or reknowned for developing champion league players ... Mackay boasts league history and a meriad of past and present Queensland and Australian representative league players ... The Cutters 2013 win may very well bring more to local home games, but should they not perform in 2014, the crowd will deminish again ... I've always felt that to build the game, grassroots league needs to be a major focus of support from the NRL - I'm a little bemused at the reasoning and decisions being made within the NRL ... PS: Good win this morning by the G & G in abhorent conditions :-)
Muzz
Guest
If a club has 15000 members then their average home crowd will be between 15000 to 20000 depending on their win loss ratio for the season,this will not be effected by live coverages.60000 went to the Roosters v Souths Round 26 game ,Anzac Day clash was a full house and both rated high on free to air.The core of a clubs fan base will always walk through the gates and the part timers will also come if the games are good.We are finally realising the importance of club memberships and a better game day experience. The NRL has to be smart as to which games are televised live.The Channel 9 circus has to do better.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
They do ... It's contracted to and negotiated between 9 and Fox ... They simply believe that the current arrangement caters for those fans who can't get to a game, and that is due to the teams playing nationally and in NZ during the season - They prefer fans go and watch the games LIVE as is why some games are on a delayed broadcast ... Clubs rely on gate takings and the choice of grounds are part of those contractual arrangements including the television broadcast and advertising arrangments ... Corporations and businesses sponsorship and the expense to them for supporting and advertising, as far as the NRL and including with some high profile players, is also difficult to negotiate in financially difficult times ... AND, it goes without saying, those players who continually bring the game into disrepute directly affect sponsors getting on board with the NRL.
Muzz
Guest
The NRL should have the final say as to when the games are televised and they should consider fans more.1 live FTA game Friday Saturday and Sunday should not effect the negotiations.Have a longer half time for Tom and company,charge more for advertising and have less ads.We seem to be able to do it on Grand Final Day.They just don't get that if the experience is great more people will watch.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I only watch the late Friday night game and Monday game if my team is playing ... Unfortunately, the NRL contract with Channel 9 (FTA) and Fox Sport (Pay TV) is binding ... There are 16 teams in the competition so 8 games have to be played each week - I thought that telecasts should be equally split ie., 4 per provider ... What could happen is on Friday - Nine broadcasts the first game from 7:00pm and the second game at 9:00pm ... Saturday - Fox broadcasts at 12:00pm; Nine at 1:30pm and Fox at 3:30pm ... Sunday - Fox broadcast at 12:00pm; Fox at 1:30pm and Nine at 3:00pm. If that arrangements can't be organised for the betterment of the game and the needs of the fans, then the NRL should reassess the contractual arrangement with those Networks, regardless of how much it costs. The NRL has 26 rounds - 2 rounds of which only 4 games are played because of State of Origin ... Mathematically and if you're a fan without Pay TV (like me), and can't access Fox Sport from home or afford it, and because Channel Nine do not currently broadcast on a Saturday, fans are deprived of watching a direct telecast, unless they find a sporting venue that is linked to Fox ... if all fans lived in the major cities, of which they don't, going to see your team play is a costly arrangment ... The best fans do is be restrited to a radio broadcast, but that isn't always the case ... It's the 21 Century and the NRL need to get with the times and give more back to the fans, who without, the game would not be able to proceed or prosper ... Somehow instead of the NRL looking at the big picture, because of their telescopic view of what is and isn't important, the fans opinions don't rate ... They should be asking players to support their future careers and families by taking a percentage of their pay, for prosperity, to ensure that the sport doesn't die a slow death and fans are supported and compensated, for nothing more than the simple pleasure of watching the sport we all love and the clubs who employ the players to turn up and play for 80 minutes ... How many do that these days ??? "DON'T BITE THE HANDS THAT FEED YOU!"
Tony Vickery
Guest
I can't believe they persist with the 2nd Friday night game. Who actually watches it? I love my footy and spend hours in front of the tv watching it but it is very rare for me to make it to 1130 on a Friday night. And people I speak to tell me the same thing.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I said, after he retires - in 5 years :-) :-D:-D:-D ... The Raiders really didn't do that badly in 2013, played some great games, but didn't put it together when it mattered ... I'm sure Ricky has the prerequisites of a good coach - for some reason he lacks leadership when it comes down to "the troops" ... Being back on familiar territory may change his attitude, and apparently being in the nations capital is what he wants ... The Raiders are strapped for talent - Issues that started with Carney, then Dugan, then Ferguson seem to be hitting hard at their core ... Furner gone to Cowboys as Assistant to Green - a name entrenched in Canberra league culture - although I think the change is for the better ... Not sure Ricky can be the "super glue" that puts all the broken bits back together - A bit much to ask of any coach in a single season ??? Not even thinking about next season as far as the Storm boys go, except renewing my membership of course ... :-) :-) :-)
Muzz
Guest
OMG did you say relegated,who Billy?? NO he just commentates from time to time for the betterment of the game.Seeing that you have mentioned the Raiders and as standard i will put my 2 cents worth in.It didn't take Ricky long to make his first mistake,like you would offer any 19 year old that sort of money,regardless of how good he is.There are four main boxes to tick if your to be a good coach and Ricky only ticks one.What was the Raiders board thinking.Dont think ill sleep well tonight,pretty excited about game. Back in my day : )))
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
No, Billy isn't a "banker" Muzz - My son is !!!! Highly intelligent, dedicated, dilligent and respected and dare I say handsome too - He's 7 years older then young Bill - has worked in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and travels to NZ and Asia on behalf of his bank ... The only downfall with that is we don't see him or his family as often as we'd hope :-( ... We're in our own little world when we talk league, like me and my Dad ... He barracks for Canberra and is opiniated like you know who ??? ... And, in her day, so was Judy Slater and one person you would not want to get on the wrong side of, especially about her boy ... Personally, I think Billy Slater would make a brilliant league commentator - His knowledge shines when he's religated to the rugby league panels Haaa :-D ... Bet you didn't think I'd put that out there for you to chew on Muzzy ... Just one more sleep and we'll be chomping at the bit for the game to start and end with a positive outcome ... Who gives about the commentary team - If it gets on your goat, turn the sound off !!!
Muzz
Guest
Mark has surprised me as a commentator,quite charismatic . Mitch is a nice boy.The apple never falls far from the tree. Billy's a banker : )))
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Mark Geyer has more brains as a league commentator/critic then he did on the paddock ... Just watching Wally's son, Mitch, doing the sport on Channel Nine News right this very minute ... Perhaps he would be worthy of taking over the reigns calling NRL games ... Dale Shearer's eldest son has chosen a career as a referee over being a player ... I worked with Dale's father Bob, God Bless him, who was a sensational Deputy Principal and referee'd the local Mackay competition.
Muzz
Guest
Even Mark Geyer loves Wally.He's a great man. Do you ever get the impression that Wally and Sterlo are thinking,get me out of this channel 9 circus.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Get off the grass mate!!! Wally Lewis is synonomous to Rugby League - His knowledge and experience is without a doubt, second to none ... You may not be aware but Lewis suffered epilepsy and had a major brain operation - Recovering from that proves his, strength and diligence and you'd hardly notice unless you where told ... No, I have not always been a fan of Wally - Goes back to a particular time when his Brisbane club, Valley's played at Kruitschnitt Oval, Mount Isa against North Queensland - However, irrespective of what I thought of his performance back then, it goes without saying, Wally's far more bearable then Ray Warren, Gus Gould and even Paul Vautin, regurgitating their personal differences every minute - THE JOKE IS - Why are they still there ??? Yep, I'll agree both know the game, and are experienced, but personably they don't deliver top quality broadcasting ... And, their exploitation of the egos and profiles of every up and coming league prospect just goes straight down the gurgler, as soon as they lose their form or fall from grace ... SUPER STAR - SUPER-HUMAN - GENIUS !!! ! As a league supporter, I don't mind a quick wit, or a compliment for a spectacular performance, but please remove the over-exuberant dribble and bias from the broadcast box ... Give me brains over brawn, and rid the game of commentators with a use by date ...
Boomshanka
Guest
Nine may have given up scheduling on the go, but it certainly is involved in what gets shown on TV, and its choices for the last six weeks stunk. Nine broadcast into Melbourne on their HD channel, yet at times we get worse resolution than dodgy internet feed. We all went out and bought HD TV's and (despite what you say) people do switch off when the feed gets bad. They're beaming the game in HD across the ditch so why do AFL states get the sub SD rubbish feed we get? Its like someone in Melbourne walks up and purposefully reduces the quality of the game. Your assertion that it is the NRL that want 4pm so not to interfere with Sunday arvo footy is also laughable. Smell the roses Nomad. People hate the fact Nine are dissing our game. Stop even attempting to justify how the game gets treated.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sorry, but I cannot for a moment understand why anyone would ever consider keeping Wally Lewis on. As a commentator, the man is a sound-bite gone wrong.