Viewers may switch off Parramtta Eels matches if NRL hand down severe points penalty
Date
April 26, 2016 - 7:00PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
Television ratings will nosedive if Parramatta is penalised out of finals contention, according to the man who consulted to the NRL on its television deals.
For the first time in two seasons, the number of people watching rugby league on the box is on the increase, a result of both Fox Sports and the Nine Network providing separate commentary on many matches.
However, the spectre of Parramatta being docked premiership points for alleged salary cap breaches is a concern for the host broadcasters.
The Eels, particularly when they are doing well, are a ratings winner and Brad Arthur's team have shown enough in the opening third of the season to suggest they are a genuine chance of breaking a 30-year premiership drought.
However, there are fears it could all be for nothing as the governing body prepares to hand down its findings into the embattled club next week.
Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith, who has previously advised the NRL, ARU and AFL during rights negotiations, believes some footy fans will turn off their TVs if the Eels are no chance of making the finals.
"If they are docked [points] to the point they can't compete in the premiership, that will certainly take away the interest," Smith said.
"If a team is less competitive, and we saw that to an extent with Essendon in the AFL, the degree of watchability becomes less.
"People don't recognise how important Parramatta is – and Penrith isn't that far behind either – in terms of how the Sydney sports fan works.
"Loyalty will remain in western Sydney because of the tribalism of the region. Their fans will continue to watch. The issue will be the effect on broader Sydney and the broader rugby league market.
"Let's cut to the chase on this, you don't want this to be there. It will affect the person who only has a passing interest, no question."
Parramatta games, particularly blockbuster matches like Friday night's clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, often attract more than one million viewers.
Smith believes those numbers will be on the wane if the Eels – the only side not to have played finals footy since 2009 – are no chance of progressing beyond the regular season.
However, Chris Walton, managing director of Nunn Media, believes the overall NRL ratings impact won't be greatly affected.
"With that many teams and that many games, from a helicopter point of view, I don't think the issues at one club will impact too much on things.
"The impact on fans will be dictated by whose fault they think it is. If they think it's a struggling club doing its best against a difficult league [little will change]. If they think 'just when we thought they got things right, management have gone and cocked it up', that could be different.
"If there is an impact it could be on Parramatta fans going to live games rather than Parramatta fans [switching off] the tele."
The final six rounds of the premiership are yet to be set in stone, with the broadcasters able to horse-trade games depending on their level of viewability. Walton believes Eels fixtures could be shifted to inferior spots if they are prematurely ruled out of the running.
"Later in a season they may get their games moved to other times, so they may not be the Thursday night game or the key game on a Saturday," he said.
"Those tactics may be employed."
