Channel Seven reaches out to NRL about potential broadcast partnership
Michael ChammasApril 15, 2020 — 11.57pm
Channel Seven, the home of AFL, has reached out to the NRL about the potential of acquiring rugby league content in the future as Channel Nine looks to offload one of its three free-to-air matches.
The news comes as Nine boss Hugh Marks prepares to meet with Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys on Thursday to renegotiate the broadcast deal for 2020 and determine when and how the season will resume.
Seven chief executive James Warburton.James Alcock
The
Herald has also been told by sources with knowledge of discussions that Fox Sports will not surrender its simulcast arrangement with Nine, the publisher of this masthead, nor does it intend to scrap the Friday 6pm game, as Nine is hoping.
On the eve of the crucial broadcast meeting, the NRL’s negotiating power has been significantly strengthened with revelations Channel Seven has expressed interest in the rights of the sport.
Seven West Media boss James Warburton, who didn’t return calls on Wednesday, has a close long-time relationship with NRL boss Todd Greenberg and is monitoring the code’s broadcast squabble as Seven positions itself as a potential partner should the NRL need to seek an alternative free-to-air broadcaster.
Uncertainty around the AFL, in combination with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the cancellation of Wimbledon and the prospect of India not being able to tour Australia for the summer of cricket, could leave Seven with some funds to make a play at rugby league.
Rugby league icon Phil Gould has discussed plans to relaunch the NRL in late May, plus criticism from an old foe.
NRL matches are included on the Australian anti-siphoning list and there are currently three matches on free-to-air TV. That could mean there will be pressure on the NRL to ensure there is at least the same number of free-to-air matches going forward, which opens the door for Seven, despite its poor financial position.
Channel Seven’s AFL ratings in NSW and Queensland remain unimpressive, although NRL content would provide a much-needed boost to its eastern seaboard markets.
At a crucial meeting between the current broadcast partners and the NRL on Thursday at V’landys’ Racing NSW offices, Nine is expected to outline its desire for exclusive games and a willingness to part ways with the Thursday night game. It also wants exclusive games on Friday and Sunday.
It is expected Fox Sports will not agree to sacrificing the entire collection of weekly matches, basing its subscription service around an ‘‘every game, live and ad-free’’ sell.
Agreeing to hand Nine exclusivity would rob Fox Sports of the best games of the round, with the free-to-air network given first preference on matches.
Nine also want to discuss the removal of the Friday 6pm game, which Fox broadcasts against the free-to-air network’s news.
Channel Nine has experienced a decline in the Friday 8pm game ratings, something Fox Sports is well aware of and unwilling to compromise given the number of viewers who stay with Fox from the first to second Friday night game.
Nine’s preference, largely in a bid to bank the $130 million saving it announced to the stock exchange last week, would be for the NRL to wait until crowds are allowed back before the season resumes – even if it means no rugby league until 2021.
That won’t cut it with the NRL or Fox Sports, who are desperate to return as soon as possible to ensure the financial viability of the respective organisations.
It’s anticipated Nine’s tactic will be to stall. Prolong discussions for as long as possible to ensure there is less content to pay for.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ch...al-broadcast-partnership-20200415-p54k5t.html
