Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[liquor box]

The one thing I think I mentioned, I a little disappointed games aren't at a friendlier time for NZ viewing, as all these games are actually slated as home games for the NZ teams.
All have given up home ground advantage to help promote the game in Aus too, and also agre with them doing it, just maybe for fans here a bit of though may of helped as game needs promoting here too.

I assume the plan is to have a version of this round in NZ next year that will be timed on what NZ teams prefer so it will even out.

 

[liquor box]

Whether or not the WB coach or WB coaching system is the best source for dictating how domestic competition requirements are set -well that's a different discussion. To add to it, our better Australian Super coaches have always voiced wanting the Kiwi challenge. And certainly with say, McKellar and Thorn, there is every reason to believe it.

Imagine what would be said about any coach who does not want their team to play better opposition, they would be attacked for being gutless and would probably lose their job.

I don't think any coach would be brave enough to say they would prefer to play against other teams and not NZ teams for his reason.

 

[dru]

Imagine what would be said about any coach who does not want their team to play better opposition, they would be attacked for being gutless and would probably lose their job.

I don't think any coach would be brave enough to say they would prefer to play against other teams and not NZ teams for his reason.

Completely agree. It is sort of part of the job. So not as important as it first seems. Still...

 

[Dan54]

I don't think the times are that bad.

It's a slightly later kickoff on the Friday but you have to factor in the fans showing up - they will struggle to get a crowd for a 6pm Friday kickoff local time let alone if it was 5pm. Also bare in mind game 2 features the Force so whilst that kickoff is 10.30pm NZ time it is 6.30pm Perth time.

The Saturday games kick off at the usual time (7pm NZ game 1 + 9.45pm NZ game 2) and the Sunday games are 4pm NZ time and 6.30pm NZ time.

Mate I not complaining, and understand why the time are when they are, just saying a little disappointing that perhaps saturday's games weren't 4 and 6 pm may have avoided AFL too? I see Sunday's games as being good as. But I suppose when you think that Friday can't be earlier because of work I can see point, just 10.30pm and 9.45 for home games is a bit hard for home fans of those teams. Not a biggy but perhaps a tweak could of been done. And as I say, can understnad trying to promote the game in Aus etc etc.

 

[KiwiM]

Mate I not complaining, and understand why the time are when they are, just saying a little disappointing that perhaps saturday's games weren't 4 and 6 pm may have avoided AFL too? I see Sunday's games as being good as. But I suppose when you think that Friday can't be earlier because of work I can see point, just 10.30pm and 9.45 for home games is a bit hard for home fans of those teams. Not a biggy but perhaps a tweak could of been done. And as I say, can understnad trying to promote the game in Aus etc etc.

I do find it strange that the Aus night games kick off so late in general. I'm sure there is a theory behind it but the stated kickoff time is 7.45pm (as opposed to 7pm for nz night games) and in reality it's closer to 8pm by the time they kick off as the teams are often still on the pitch warming up once the clock ticks over to 7.45pm.

 

[PhilClinton]

I do find it strange that the Aus night games kick off so late in general. I'm sure there is a theory behind it but the stated kickoff time is 7.45pm (as opposed to 7pm for nz night games) and in reality it's closer to 8pm by the time they kick off as the teams are often still on the pitch warming up once the clock ticks over to 7.45pm.

I believe it is so they can fit two 'prime time' games in each afternoon without the risk of delaying the start time of the second game or having them overlap.

For example in Australia we get the NZ game kicking off at 5.05pm our time, that broadcast usually finishes around 7pm and then there is Aussie game pre-game commentary and kickoff at 7.45pm.

It's not just rugby who follow that model, the NRL do it as well. They used to have games which overlapped if you go back 10 years, depending on which state you lived in would determine which game was shown live on FTA, and the other game was a replay straight after. But now on a Friday for example they have a 5pm game and then a 7.50pm game. They want each game to be it's own spectacle and have all the eyes instead of competing against each other.

 

[Wallaby Man]

I do find it strange that the Aus night games kick off so late in general. I'm sure there is a theory behind it but the stated kickoff time is 7.45pm (as opposed to 7pm for nz night games) and in reality it's closer to 8pm by the time they kick off as the teams are often still on the pitch warming up once the clock ticks over to 7.45pm.

Its as simple as 7.30 is a higher rating time slot than 6pm. Just like 9pm is a higher rating timeslot than 5pm.

7pm i get the argument for but traditionally its 730 in Aus

6pm means you go against the news, which is a fight no station wants to try and win.

Its also why when a station buys a popular tv show its not on at 3, 4, 5 etc PM in the afternoon. Its played at night so it maximises tv audiences and therefore ad revenue. Despite what some old fashioned might think, its why the majority of rugby is played at night these days as its the most popular time for audiences.

 

[KiwiM]

They want each game to be it's own spectacle and have all the eyes instead of competing against each other.

Thanks - I knew there had to be a reason.

 

[Adam84]

All have given up home ground advantage to help promote the game in Aus too

i think you mean they’re giving up home ground advantage for a more then generous sponsorship/endorsement package from TEG and Victorian Government.

Australian teams have also given up home ground advantage, not just kiwi teams.

 

[Wallaby Man]

i think you mean they’re giving up home ground advantage for a more then generous sponsorship/endorsement package from TEG and Victorian Government.

Australian teams have also given up home ground advantage, not just kiwi teams.

It’s almost like people think it’s charity to Melbourne. Reality is the Victorian Government have spent more than the other areas to host this. Even if crowds are poor their investment is to be seen on tv (particularly in NZ) for 3 days straight to boost tourism in the future. The fluffy tourism packages jammed in between games showing the city is there for people to say that’ll be a nice place to visit. If another place bids more next year it’ll go to them, so essentially it’ll always be in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth or Melbourne

 

[Dan54]

i think you mean they’re giving up home ground advantage for a more then generous sponsorship/endorsement package from TEG and Victorian Government.

Australian teams have also given up home ground advantage, not just kiwi teams.

Good point, look I not complaining about it, as I have said I think it good idea, especially if it done when they want to, early in season.
Out of interest do you have any idea how generous the deal is from Gov't etc?
But no Aus teams have actually given up a home game as in the draw all NZ team had home games.
ie Chiefs had Tahs in Hamilton, Canes had Reds in Wellington etc etc etc according to draw.

I know covid actually changed when it was meant to be, and still think doing same next year has a lot going for it, and am more than haapy for it to be in Aus as that's where it does the most good re building up rugby.

 

[Rebel man]

It’s been reported that 7, 9 and 10 don’t want the big bash and that it has lost an average of 450,000 viewers in the last 6 years

 

[Rob42]

It’s been reported that 7, 9 and 10 don’t want the big bash and that it has lost an average of 450,000 viewers in the last 6 years

Hmm, sounds like an opening negotiating position. It's definitely lost some momentum in the past few years, but that was after a spectacular rise. They made the same mistake as Super Rugby, expanding it to the point of foolishness, but it's been tightened up the last couple of seasons.

I'd be very surprised if 7 didn't want to keep it on, it's a lot of content through those quiet summer months, and I don't think they'd want to spend all that money on commentators just for Test matches.

 

[Adam84]

Hmm, sounds like an opening negotiating position. It's definitely lost some momentum in the past few years, but that was after a spectacular rise. They made the same mistake as Super Rugby, expanding it to the point of foolishness, but it's been tightened up the last couple of seasons.

I'd be very surprised if 7 didn't want to keep it on, it's a lot of content through those quiet summer months, and I don't think they'd want to spend all that money on commentators just for Test matches.

Yeah they expanded into the international season and outside the school holidays window which made it successful to start with. It’s still getting much better ratings then super rugby so they’ll be appetite for it. Won’t be the same bidding war as previous

 

[Rebel man]

Yeah they expanded into the international season and outside the school holidays window which made it successful to start with. It’s still getting much better ratings then super rugby so they’ll be appetite for it. Won’t be the same bidding war as previous

No bidders so far and they need a deal done for 2022/23. We will have the issue of the South Africa ODI series in January.

CA has done a deal with the ICC meaning white ball international series will be played in October November and February March.

 

[Braveheart81]

No bidders so far and they need a deal done for 2022/23. We will have the issue of the South Africa ODI series in January.

CA has done a deal with the ICC meaning white ball international series will be played in October November and February March.

The current TV rights deal still has two seasons left to run from what I can work out.

It ends after the 23/24 Summer.

 

[RebelYell]

An interesting thought... If Fox bid and win the RWC rights, what happens then?

 

[Rebel man]

An interesting thought... If Fox bid and win the RWC rights, what happens then?

The World Cup will be on Fox

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Love watching Super Rugby but I think that’s just because I’m a diehard. The comp otherwise is very uninspiring for a casual watcher. Was a lot easier to inspire mates last year to go to a reds match with SRAU. I think the wider context is the teams probably aren’t playing for anything at the end of the season, whereas last year there was something on the line and the media was lapping it up. Be interesting if Reds/Brums can get some wins but if not it wouldn’t surprise me to see SRAU return after the current integrated agreement.

Tend to agree

 

[PhilClinton]

An interesting thought... If Fox bid and win the RWC rights, what happens then?

Not sure they would bother for 2023, game times aren’t going to be Aussie friendly and it’s not like rugby viewership in general has been great.

2027 is another story. I imagine there will be a number of serious bidders for that.