Broadcaster of the National Rugby Championship will step up and televise more of Australia’s third-tier competition in 2016, with ARU CEO Bill Pulver telling The Roar the network would show two games a week this coming season.
Pulver told The Roar in his exclusive interview that Fox Sports would come to the party even more in 2016, having shown a game a week in 2014, and one game one television and all games via live stream in 2015.
“We’ll double the number of games on Fox Sports this year, it’s going from one game to two.” Pulver told The Roar TV.
“Every other game will be live streamed.”
YOU CAN WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BILL PULVER IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
When asked about the promotion of the competition, Pulver said it was high on the list for 2016.
“We want better crowds. We want better TV ratings. We’re going to do everything we can to promote the game so we get a good attendance.”
It represents another step up for the competition, which has already secured its financial sustainability through broadcast agreements with Fox Sports through to 2020, and sponsorship through companies like title sponsor Buildcorp.
Pulver noted that the competition had broken even for the last two seasons, and hailed the competition’s role as a key part of the pathway for Australian rugby.
“It’s already sustainable. We’ve run it for two years. It has broken even both years. There’s no financial challenge with it. It’s locked up in our brodcast agreements right through 2020, so sustainability is not an issue.” Pulver said.
“Clearly the NRC plays an important strategic role in our pathways. Going from club rugby to Super Rugby is a big jump.”
Pulver also hailed the success of the law changes, saying that the NRC provided some of the most attractive rugby played.
“The law changes are phenomenal. That game is so fast, and that is seen in the results. It is a platform that young talent to show their wares. We just need to educate people to get out there and watch it
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It's good to hear that financially the NRC has been stable. Always a tough ask for a start up league. I also like the apparent focus on the need to grow both attendance and viewership. In terms of marketing it I like the idea of running a fan hype video competition. Pick one for each team or state and use it as the ad for the NRC. Something showing off all the action from the past two season. Wrap it in a catchy slogan. Something like 'the future is now' or the like. Oh, and stip referring to it as the 3rd tier. It's our national domestic competition. Market as just that.
AndyS
Guest
I'd be inclined to take the other view. The Premier clubs own the NRC teams and, if they want professionals playing in their local teams, it is how they should be paying and providing extra training for them. Certainly having some involvement from the Waratahs would be ideal, but only on the clubs terms. Too much and I'm not sure it doesn't become a hindrance, with the NRC programs and selections run for the benefit of the SR teams rather than as coherent development structures and teams.
dru
Roar Rookie
Actually, no Brett. Honest, to kick the NRC in NSW needs the Waratahs to be held responsible for it. Their remit is the professional game and they need to step up. Not the NSWRU and no the difference is not academic. and if the Waratahs can't show an ability to support 3 teams, Country should be re-aligned to the ACTRU. This season. IMVHO anyway.
dru
Roar Rookie
Cheers Brett and I'm hoping there's some personal interest in the alacrity of your response! I've really been impressed with the Reds streaming of the NRC and I'm enjoying their stream of the SEQ Premier comp, The stream doesn't have to be complex or convoluted, just rugby fanatics going "hell, let's watch a game of rugger".
Jamie Hevia
Roar Rookie
Excellent news, I am yet to identify myself with a particular team yet I am hoping this will the Rams season. Ideally we will see 3 games from TV next year however I have to say that the live stream is an excellent option to get out of house chores, the wife always thinks I am hard at work when I am staring at the computer trying to finish those reports :)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I had a strong argument with him the other day when he took exception to my claim that the sky is blue...
Brett McKay
Expert
I do admire his commitment to opposition though..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Come on Brett. If we all tried to list Squirrel's bold predictions which came nowhere near eventuating we'd use all the site's bandwidth.
Sam
Guest
This is the problem of reverse engineering a "bottom-up" model. Structurally the NRC, ITM etc are third tier but by name are the highest form of domestic rugby. Our comp is a National Championship. The market gurus could be calling it the Buildcorp Rugby Championship. Watch the perception change if that name gained some traction. The Rebels/Rising example compounds the issue because the Rebels administration essentially works for both. Does the NRC "feed" SR? Yes. The problem is that Pulver sold his idea as a "Super B comp with left over SR players not selected for the Wallabies".
Brett McKay
Expert
"Won't see a second season, I guarantee..."
Squirrel
Guest
Why not call it super rugby trials
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
A better example than my Aviva one, thanks for that.
Paul
Guest
My issue is with the perception of it. When you are trying to sell a product to the public you're on a hiding to nothing by saying it's your third best offering. You don't see the NRL refer to itself as third tier (below Internationals and State of Origin).
Squirrel
Guest
Wow
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But they have different squads, different coaches, etc, much like the ITM Cup/Currie Cup and Super Rugby. There are some overlaps but they are not the same.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
True, but, to use my local example, the Melbourne Rebels and Melbourne Rising are two teams representing pretty much the same club, with most of the same players representing both teams. How about we say that we don't hear the Premiership described as England's second tier then?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Part of that is that Heineken Cup and Premiership teams are the same. Whilst it is the elite performers of the Premiership that qualify it's not actually a tier above, more an extension of the premiership itself like a finals system.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
I wondered that too. You certainly don't hear England's Premiership described as being their third tier, after 6 Nations/Internationals and the Heineken Cup.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Excellent positive news... little by little, step by step, things start to move forward. I suppose now the trick is to keep it moving forward, and along this path of exposure.
Rugger
Guest
How about NRC 7's series to be followed by NRC. Even the Aviva mob in England have jumped on 7s bandwagon. What would it take to get ARU to do something. They rely too much on international component of the game and hence are reactive and pro-active in the market.