NRL enjoys best TV ratings in more than half a decade

NOOOOO!!!!!!! leave the 2 referee in the bin

I understand the one ref may have been more about saving money than it was the game, and there’s every chance it may only be for this year, but it just strikes me as a bit odd. I’d like to see the 6 to go rule implemented under the two ref system.

Ratings from a single game doesn’t tell you much. Also it was the first live game of any code for months, and many people are stuck at home rather than out and about, so it was bound to draw high numbers. Even if this boost in viewers is sustained across weeks and months (which I doubt) it doesn’t justify charging broadcasters more. It is the translation of high ratings to advertising revenue that matters to Ch9...if/when the economy tanks there will be far less money flowing through the entire economy from consumers to businesses, and many businesses will be forced to reign in their advertising budgets. And of course many businesses will close altogether, or already have - you won’t be seeing Virgin Australia or Target advertising on TV for instance. The reduced spend by Ch9 on NRL was inevitable given what has happened to the economy in this pandemic. The same will apply to other sports - reports are that the AFL are negotiating for around 20% less from their broadcasters. In this market broadcasters can, and will, pay less even though ratings are increasing. Context matters.

is the Aussie soccer starting again?

Don’t worry about Placepunter. He will be right once his favoured code restarts in a couple of weeks.

I actually thought it was a cracking game, and I support the losing team. Hardly noticed the ref and the lace was good. Parramatta look very good this year. Brisbane weren’t terrible and but for two fumbles over the try line could actually somehow have been in front at half time. They really missed Fafita and TPJ’s strike power and Milford is such a front runner. Tends to disappear when the team is under the pump. 65 tackles for poor Jake Turpin and the commentator was criticizing his lack of running!

Maybe it’s a re-innovation?

Hardly surprising the first game attracted high interest! But let's see how the rest of the season pans out before getting too carried away.

A single ref is a "great innovation"? You must a young fella - nothing innovative about it at all!

Any business will buy product (NRL) if the price is cheap enough. Channel 9 bought FTA screening rights for $56m less over the next 2.5 years. As sure as night follows day Foxtel also paid less than previous agreements for their new NRL contract. Just because Fox signed a long term deal doesn’t make it good if it’s for a lot less money. The NRL is a business and good business decisions need to be made. To be fair it may be a case (and probably is) that there are/were no other people interested in broadcasting the NRL and therefore PVL had to get what he could. That’s fine as long as moving forward he spends money proportionate to what he has.

Great deduction but no cigar.

FOX have committed for the next 8 years and there is maybe 5 professional sports in the world that have resumed, one of them is the NRL. You have very high standards

Full disclosure please P.P are you a member of the Victorian Racing Club

Phil, regardless of the hard dealing CEO's that PVL had to do business with, he must look after the game moving forward and not just for today. He is being purposefully negligent if he keeps the salary cap the same. The game can't afford it but it's a nice story which people are lapping up. He wasn't the first in the world to start up a sporting competition after/during Covid-19. He is the first in Australia and has taken a start at any cost attitude. We are privileged to know the amount of the TV deal.........Channel 9 for one have paid $56M less over the next 2.5 years. Somehow PVL wants to keep the salary cap the same with at least $100m less broadcasting money to work with. He'll need to turn water in wine or at least find $100m plus over the next 2.5 years just to keep afloat in what is going to be (no need to be Einstein) a very tough economic climate.

Give it up punter your anti Landy spiel is getting extremely tired

Beautifully said Phil!

Geez PP, you're hard to please. PVL kickstarted the game again, set a date and kept it, brought in a new rule to speed up the game and speed it up it did, cut a surplus ref and created a far better spectacle. You say last night's game was just ok. I repeat, you are hard to please. PVL has been the shot in the arm RL needed. As far as the TV deal goes I doubt we are privy to the finer details but remember he is dealing with two companies which have suffered like many others, and those two have hard dealing CEO's. All things considered PVL has done a magnificent job and I hope he sticks around for a long time.

If only Valandy’s would start listening to the herd of rocket surgeons on social media. To be fair - he changed the ref rule precisely because the herd of rocket surgeons on social media wanted it.

I think we are all capable of considering the future of the game without your endless negative commentary. V’landys in my opinion is setting a great platform for the future of the game. Last nights game was excellent entertainment and the new laws and single ref are great innovations. For once we are getting positive headlines and our major competitor has been floundering. That sets the platform for a successful future. Starting early was a masterstroke. My apologies for having such a bright cheery view of the future of the great game.

All he was interested in was the short term...........right now..............life tends to exceed the short term, not sometimes but all the time.