BankWest opening not live on 9

[Stallion]

A very simple look at the schedule for this fortnight shows that Ch 9 already pick up an extra two games than usual - Good Friday and ANZAC Day afternoon games.

I don't think this is a big deal as some here are saying. If anything it could've detracted from the attendance given that it would be more easily accessible to people.

Also - the Easter Monday game has been exclusive to Fox for a number of years now.

Probably looking forward and improving rugby league is what we are advocating . It's important in these days of relevance . The eyes of especially the young are lit up when they see a full stadium. This is more likely to happen with greater FTA coverage. The NRL'S major football code rival is using such FTA to its benefit and increased popularity/relevance. Rugby-league can do this also. And in my opinion harness better relevance due to the pure combative nature of this undervalued code.

 

[Timmah]

Probably looking forward and improving rugby league is what we are advocating . It's important in these days of relevance . The eyes of especially the young are lit up when they see a full stadium. This is more likely to happen with greater FTA coverage. The NRL'S major football code rival is using such FTA to its benefit and increased popularity/relevance. Rugby-league can do this also. And in my opinion harness better relevance due to the pure combative nature of this undervalued code.

Like it or not, there are practical, contractual realities. One of those is the FTA host network, under the current deal, only broadcasting a certain number of games, of which Easter Monday isn't one.

307,000 watched (not withstanding streaming figures) which is a great result given most games top out around 250K.

I'd also argue FTA coverage is falling in relevance in recent years with the advent of streaming services, live pass etc.

 

[Stallion]

Like it or not, there are practical, contractual realities. One of those is the FTA host network, under the current deal, only broadcasting a certain number of games, of which Easter Monday isn't one.

307,000 watched (not withstanding streaming figures) which is a great result given most games top out around 250K.

I'd also argue FTA coverage is falling in relevance in recent years with the advent of streaming services, live pass etc.

Other codes like the AFL are using FTA to their advantage. FTA maybe reducing in its relevance but certainly not to the extent it's not important. It's vital. The more eyes on the game the more fans. It all adds up and matters whether we like it or not.

 

[Timmah]

Other codes like the AFL are using FTA to their advantage. FTA maybe reducing in its relevance but certainly not to the extent it's not important. It's vital. The more eyes on the game the more fans. It all adds up and matters whether we like it or not.

- AFL negotiated a better deal with their FTA broadcaster which allowed in-market broadcasts (e.g. 7 SA broadcasts all Crows/Port games, QLD Lions/Suns etc). NRL don't have that flexibility in the current deal.

- I didn't say it's not important, but I do believe there is excessive importance being placed on it given how many options there are to watch games today.

- My point is that the next deal needs to take more seriously those alternative methods i.e. streaming.

 

[Stallion]

- AFL negotiated a better deal with their FTA broadcaster which allowed in-market broadcasts (e.g. 7 SA broadcasts all Crows/Port games, QLD Lions/Suns etc). NRL don't have that flexibility in the current deal.

- I didn't say it's not important, but I do believe there is excessive importance being placed on it given how many options there are to watch games today.

- My point is that the next deal needs to take more seriously those alternative methods i.e. streaming.

Agree. It's very important. The TV/media deals made have been lacking compared to what the AFL have achieved and gained. Needs much improvement.