The NRL has and is about to start (2023-2027) this contract very soon. It's over $400 per year. We want to compare this deal with fhe AFL 2025- onward deal. However the claim is also about he AFL 2023-2024 for a reportedly $946m or a one year deal at $473m. As you all know the figure I arrived at is (cash) of only $423m NOT $473m as told by CEO
McLachlan. ( And Only then ($423m) because of the Telstra $50m giveway.)
But the current negations will tell us something about the 'two year deal' as well as the new 2025-'s.
Quote from CEO Seven,
Warburton said he would not do a deal without the digital rights, and any decision to put more games behind a paywall would reduce the amount he was willing to pay. “From a Seven perspective, anything going behind a paywall lessens the value,” he said.
So Foxtel won't pay more unless more games go behind a paywall and equallt bad for them Seven wants to get DIGITAL RIGHTS to all the games it shows.. This means ( geo blocking easy to do ) Perth and Adelaide can watch ALL their games on FTA. This is a killer for Foxtel, as I pointed out.
Billionaire Kerry Stokes’ media company has announced plans to buy back up to 10 per cent of company shares after posting the best earnings in almost a decade.
www.smh.com.au
Also lets look at Sevens talk of not paying overs, this does not bode well for the AFL. Then we have the paramount bid, which was for $600m 'according to sources ( yes them again) then 'underwhelming' then over and then under $500, take your pick. The only statement from AFL or 'quote from then is 'where going with Seven/Foxtel with more games behind paywall.' I would have thought that condition alone would necessitate a lower or static bid, from Seven, even with Digtal rights and we know what Foxtel will think of losing ALL the digital rights which they currently have.
"However, Warburton and his chief financial officer, Jeff Howard, said the company would continue to watch costs amid inflationary pressures. Warburton said market downside was “way overblown”.
“When you look at the business... you’ve got to be very careful about the decisions you make,” he said, rather than just spending too much on a sporting contract or a content supplier arrangement."............
Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton says he will prioritise company costs over “ego” as the network prepares to
fight rivals in broadcast negotiations and delivering a ratings win over the next financial year.
Them fighting words ...
