Last week it was announced that the FFA Cup round of 32 would be streamed live.
Wednesday was not only the first round of the FFA Cup to be shown on Foxtel, it was also the first time that the FFA Cup was streamed through the service.
While you still needed to pay for the subscription service to watch the games through Foxtel’s online website, it is a marked improvement on the chaos of last year.
Now is the time for the NRC to take the lead of the FFA and work with Foxtel to stream live NRC games. Last year games were available through a number of different channels with the best stream coming from the the Queensland Rugby Union.
But just because you put something on the internet it does not mean someone will see it. This is where the NRC struggled with their famously bad marketing efforts of last year which meant most punters where left to their own devices to find out when and where games where going to be played.
Foxtel offers a very well known platform that offers familiarity to the rugby punter and casual fan who does not want to have to dredge the Facebook page of their team to find a stream.
Brand image is important and people will use a Foxtel streaming service over an unknown service – even if the quality is the same.
So come on ARU, let’s make something happen. Let’s take the initiative.
If it does work, we must not announce this a few days before the first game – we need to let people know before hand.
Bob Funston
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with that, while it is piggy backing off the ARU site i diminishes it importance straight away, NBL tv is a good example of what the ARU could do, has all the games on its website plus you can watch the replays of all games when ever you want.
Midfielder
Guest
WCR They just seem happier and they enjoy it more they call what they see and get excited about good play... maybe I am wrong...
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Maybe. They certainly have a good grasp of their content.
Midfielder
Guest
The Shute Shield broadcast team I dare say is better then the guys on ten...
RobC
Roar Guru
Capital idea WCR. They should outsource it to the roar
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Evidently the guys behind Club Rugby TV are responsible for the Shute Shield coverage this season. It started off a little shaky but quickly became very polished. They would be a good option. Allow them to sell advertising space on their broadcast and sign them up. The ARU need to establish a standalone site for the NRC. They currently have one linked to their main site but they need a dedicated site independent of rugby.com.au This site would act as a central source to stream all non broadcast games. Stats, highlights, player interviews, post game analysis etc. They could even run a weekly wrap up show.
Digs
Guest
Not keen on it being on Foxtel. I got to see more NRC games than any other rugby because it was free and accessible (if not a little difficult to track die at times). I think all it needs is the ARU and SR websites to direct viewers to the location where the games will be live streamed or even better just have it in on location linked to the ARU website. In terms of marketing if the ARU and Warratahs promoted the flame via its existing media, that would at least be a start.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the post Bob. I liked that Reds brought in RugbyReg to call the game with one of the players. Dave McD I think. Did a great job. I think they should get Roarers and GAGRs who live in the cities to call the games with SR players. No need for pricy commentators.
RobC
Roar Guru
BAR TV!. Yes indeed, they were good value. I think though, the priority is to sort out their marketing strategy: - There is ZERO reasons Canberra Perth and Melbourne cannot raise a decent sized as SR - Qld has a great outreach and good size Rugby community. They should target each club and GPS school to bring 500 attendees each - NSW too, in theory. But not well organised yet imo
Eddard
Roar Guru
I hope there's streaming all in one place, but I also hope it's free and not just available to Foxtel subscribers. The guys who did the Rams home games last year also did a good job.