Rugby Australia will reportedly be able to offer bidders a broadcast package for all levels of the game from grassroots clubs to the Wallabies after signing a new deal with Club Rugby TV.
It is unclear whether the deal, to be finalised on Tuesday, involved RA buying out Club Rugby TV’s current $1.25 million deal with the Seven Network, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The new agreement will allow RA chief executive Raelene Castle to spruik a comprehensive rugby union package to the market later this week in time for the semi-professional NSW Shute Shield’s season kick-off in April.
The newspaper reported that although the broadcast rights for grassroots rugby aren’t lucrative, Castle felt that a whole-of-game package would be more attractive to potential broadcasters.
LeftRight
Guest
As it seems RA is taking over all RU broadcast wise, they need to construct a national competition that people will pay to see either at stadiums or on TV. The ARL has an excellent model, SOO and international players play at "local" venues throughout the season, people pay to see them play. In contrast, SR is only played in state capitals - people in regional centres never get to see the big names play (except Newcastle recently). But local type teams/clubs are required, that people will follow - many Brisbane people turned out to watch Quade Cooper play in the Brisbane comp, they will turn out to see other rep players playing in local teams. In past days the Reds & Waratahs were rep teams only, they were not and will never be "local" teams, which is what they have now become under the SR model. RU needs a new product for seasonal TV broadcasting (not SR), and a winning WBs team in order to maximise popular support & from there maximise TV broadcast deals.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It never said they accepted. If the SRU had accepted the offer, RA wouldn't be able to sell the rights.
Duncan
Guest
In An Article by Georgina Robinson she said that Fox had offered to buy the Shute shield off Seven and they accepted
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Where did they announce the Shute Shield wont be on FTA?
Loosehead
Guest
One of the few simple pleasures in life left to me was sitting down with a cup of coffee and toasted cheese sandwich to watch a club rugby game on FTA and now that has been taken away.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah but they did they 50 years ago on their own. People are saying RA should grow Shute Shield. That's now what happened with AFL and NRL.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Currently the SRU pay to have their game shown. They are not doing that. Sounds like a better deal to me.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? Currently the Shute pay to have it on TV. By "taxing" you mean subs, which every sport pays?
Geno
Guest
If you look at AFL and NRL, they grew from city comps in Sydney and Melbourne. So should rugby grow a better version of the NRC from the strongest comp, Sydney. As much as it hurts to say this as a Queenslander and peaked out 3rd grader, it just makes sense. Still call it the NRC.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
What money? They currently pay for their broadcast and all Foxtel was offering was to not charge them to do that. They are essentially getting the same deal via RA.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Seem an odd approach.
Jockstar
Guest
So now the RAhas some interest is n the clubs. Clubs should become independent it is not like RA promote the domestic competitions. Tell Ra to get knicked.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
They are getting more out of this than just going it alone. This will have them “connected” to the Wallabies package which could see more money. But I think at the crux of it is that the NSW clubs appear to have gotten what they wanted with the death of the NRC. As it seems that it will be replaced with a Club competition involving the best from NSW and QLD (assuming based on results of Respective Brisbane and Sydney comps). What that means for The other states, who knows?
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
So if I get this right? Club TV is the Shute Shield broadcaster. Their work has been excellent and the country tourno's has been good as well. So RA buys this for 1.2 million. So thats 4 x PE? (300K per year) I just wished they have kept to their knitting. Something that has grown from the reject heap is now in the mainstream being run by the people who created the reject heap in the first place. I would like to know how this is going to get a better deal for all concerned. I fear this will be viewed as an obligation for a higher end broadcaster and it will then be dropped back into the reject heap and we will have to start again. The USA 7's rights were sold by USA rugby to a privateer and look at the success! Different organisations offer success in different ways. Should we just be offering RA off as part of a bigger deal? Mr Foxtel? Would you be interested????
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Dumb move by Shute Shield to hand over the possibility of money to build their brand to RA who won't give them a Zac. Quite the reverse.. they have been taxing local juniors away from the game.
Ex force fan
Guest
Would be good to know of the NRC or whatever may replace the NRC is part of the package.