2017 Crowd Watch

[JamesRustle]

I think the basic point is there are large tracts of Sydney who haven't been exposed to RL in the past given where the migrated from, and largely have no interest.

Could be wrong but I don't feel the NRL or any other code has made any meaningful journey into those communities either.

Need to get more Sydney teams into those large tracts to gain popularity and grow crowds then. It's the only way.

 

[adamkungl]

Does anyone think ratings would actually suffer significantly if timeslots were prioritised for crowds? Obviously the networks do.

There are a few on here who track ratings, I'd like to see some rigorous analysis comparing different teams/timeslots/etc

 

[Billythekid]

Does anyone think ratings would actually suffer significantly if timeslots were prioritised for crowds? Obviously the networks do.

There are a few on here who track ratings, I'd like to see some rigorous analysis comparing different teams/timeslots/etc

I think the opposite is true. Big crowds and matches feeling more like events will lead to better TV ratings IMO. In general I think when there is more positivity around the game people are more likely to watch. Right now there is a lot of negativity around the NRL and this issue is feeding directly into that.

Obviously there needs to be some give and take. I understand that not every game can be played during the day on a Sunday. I also understand that teams can't always get their preferred timeslot. Right now though we haven't reach that balance at all.

I think if we had a weekly Sydney derby played on a Sunday arvo each week (potentially even a double header) which drew big crowds I think you would get big numbers on TV.

The problem is we seem very afraid of change and scared of upsetting the TV networks. There is very little thinking outside of the box.

I think that ratings have as much to gain as crowds from proper scheduling.

 

[RockWheel]

Does anyone think ratings would actually suffer significantly if timeslots were prioritised for crowds? Obviously the networks do.

There are a few on here who track ratings, I'd like to see some rigorous analysis comparing different teams/timeslots/etc

I doubt it. Maybe in the short term there'd be a slight drop. Who cares ultimately? TV coverage should be tailored around the NRL, not the other way around as it currently is.

 

[adamkungl]

The problem is we seem very afraid of change and scared of upsetting the TV networks. There is very little thinking outside of the box.

This is true.

Look at the discourse around stand alone Origin. "We tried it once 15 years ago and it didnt work! Some people got bored on the weekend!"

 

[Valheru]

Does anyone think ratings would actually suffer significantly if timeslots were prioritised for crowds? Obviously the networks do.

There are a few on here who track ratings, I'd like to see some rigorous analysis comparing different teams/timeslots/etc

I think there would have to be some drop. More people watch TV on a Thursday night than Saturday night/Sunday arvo, that is just a fact.

As a code we just have to accept that and move forward with fan friendly timeslots to give the game back to the fans. It might mean leaving a bit of cash on the table at TV rights negotiation time but in the long run the game will be better for it.

 

[yobbo84]

Scheduling, ticket prices, Sydney traffic, lack of advertising, game day experience - all of these play a factor.

My average match day experience for a weeknight game is this:
* Get a train out of the CBD from work to my local station
* Drive to ANZ through peak hour Sydney traffic.
* Find parking. Either pay $25 to park close, or park on a nearby street and walk for 15 minutes
* Catch the end of the NYC game, sit through 50-odd minutes of absolute dead time while nothing happens other than a few random videos on the big screen (that you can't hear) and some other lacklustre form of "entertainment"
* Because I had to come straight from work, grab a pie, some chips and drink for myself and my wife or parents (whoever is with me) for dinner, approx. $50
* Watch the game, leave the ground around 10pm
* Walk to the car, get home around 11pm
* Get ready for work the next day
* Total cost: About 6 hours of my time and approx. $110 (including the cost of the game within my season ticket - around $33 a game)

Or, I could:
* Go home as normal
* Have dinner with my family, spend some time with the kids before they go to bed
* Watch the game live, ad-free in HD on my 65" TV
* Get ready for work the next day
* Total cost: About 2 hours of my time and a couple of bucks of Foxtel subscription for the day

There is literally nothing enticing me to go to the games other than the fact I'm an absolute Rabbitohs tragic.

 

[LineBall]

I think the opposite is true. Big crowds and matches feeling more like events will lead to better TV ratings IMO. In general I think when there is more positivity around the game people are more likely to watch. Right now there is a lot of negativity around the NRL and this issue is feeding directly into that.

Obviously there needs to be some give and take. I understand that not every game can be played during the day on a Sunday. I also understand that teams can't always get their preferred timeslot. Right now though we haven't reach that balance at all.

I think if we had a weekly Sydney derby played on a Sunday arvo each week (potentially even a double header) which drew big crowds I think you would get big numbers on TV.

The problem is we seem very afraid of change and scared of upsetting the TV networks. There is very little thinking outside of the box.

I think that ratings have as much to gain as crowds from proper scheduling.

Well said.

 

[adamkungl]

* Catch the end of the NYC game, sit through 50-odd minutes of absolute dead time while nothing happens other than a few random videos on the big screen (that you can't hear) and some other lacklustre form of "entertainment"

Yeah this is absolutely tragic.

 

[LineBall]

Does anyone think ratings would actually suffer significantly if timeslots were prioritised for crowds? Obviously the networks do.

There are a few on here who track ratings, I'd like to see some rigorous analysis comparing different teams/timeslots/etc

This would be a great idea. The only issue is what point in the past were the games played at the more fan friendly times? I would think the early to mid 90's?

 

[adamkungl]

This would be a great idea. The only issue is what point in the past were the games played at the more fan friendly times? I would think the early to mid 90's?

Well even across the last 5 years we can compare how different teams rate in the same timeslot or how the same teams rate across different timeslots, etc

 

[LineBall]

Scheduling, ticket prices, Sydney traffic, lack of advertising, game day experience - all of these play a factor.


* Catch the end of the NYC game, sit through 50-odd minutes of absolute dead time while nothing happens other than a few random videos on the big screen (that you can't hear) and some other lacklustre form of "entertainment"

It's ridiculous the amount of time between these matches. I would also like to know why they teams need to now warm up on the ground before the match? Is there no other field or area they can do this?

 

[mave]

It's ridiculous the amount of time between these matches. I would also like to know why they teams need to now warm up on the ground before the match? Is there no other field or area they can do this?

Probably insurance reasons, and security.

 

[Clifferd]

Actually not a bad crowd for Friday 6pm. Definitely shits on last nights crowd

Maybe 15k?

 

[Clifferd]

Could even be high teens. Looks good

 

[cleary89]

Looks good on my shit stream.

 

[Vee]

Actually not a bad crowd for Friday 6pm. Definitely shits on last nights crowd

Maybe 15k?

Parramatta juggernaut? Blue and Gold Army?

 

[Emu01]

Looks ok for a 6:00pm time slot 12k-15k

 

[Stallion]

Looks ok for a 6:00pm time slot 12k-15k

Better than 7.30pm on a Thursday! Their was also a 21000 plus crowd in Newcastle earlier this season.
If any nightime game should be dumped its Thursday.

 

[PJ]

I think the opposite is true. Big crowds and matches feeling more like events will lead to better TV ratings IMO. In general I think when there is more positivity around the game people are more likely to watch. Right now there is a lot of negativity around the NRL and this issue is feeding directly into that.

Obviously there needs to be some give and take. I understand that not every game can be played during the day on a Sunday. I also understand that teams can't always get their preferred timeslot. Right now though we haven't reach that balance at all.

I think if we had a weekly Sydney derby played on a Sunday arvo each week (potentially even a double header) which drew big crowds I think you would get big numbers on TV.

The problem is we seem very afraid of change and scared of upsetting the TV networks. There is very little thinking outside of the box.

I think that ratings have as much to gain as crowds from proper scheduling.

I think you have a point. I was in Bali weekend before last for work and there were a couple of guys from US and England in the group.

The hotel bar had AFL and NRL on, and the NRL looked amateur compared and these guys were more interested in watching the AFL largely due to it seeming better through crowd perception.