League Freak
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After watching the Sopranos I started to do a bit of channel surfing and comae across Eddie McGuire on the AFL Footy Show having his say on the battle for the AFL TV right.
If you dont know, Channels 7 and 10 have put in a joint bid and effectivly frozen Nine out.
Predictably, McGuire suggested that this move would be a disaster for the AFL and lets all hope that Nine secure the rights. :roll:
The thing is, with the AFL rights before the NRL rights, what ever decision is made by the AFL will have a HUGE baring on what Rugby League can expect to get.
If 7 and 10 manage to secure the AFL rights they will be looking to show and extra game compared to what the AFL shows now. Both have given a commitment to push AFL in NSW and QLD.
With 7 and 10 getting right behind AFL, the likleyhood that either would then bid for NRL TV rights is remote. Lets face it, neither 7 or 10 is about to buy the NRL Rights and then put them up against their AFL partner network.
That leave Channel 9.....and we all know what they will do if they are the sole bidder for Rugby League rights.
The NRL may have some room to work in with State Of Origin. A big ratings winner, a game that can be played mid week so it does clash with any other games. Both 7 and 9 would see the Origin as a key to helping with the ratings war both sides are currently fighting.
NRL regular season games rate well in NSW and QLD, but outside of those two state NRL club games mean very little to any of the networks. The same could be said for Test football and City vs Country.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out. What ever happens, I have a feeling Rugby League is going to get a deal that is below market value, that doesnt improve on coverage outside of NSW and QLD....and a deal that see's the game once again tied to Channel 9 for atleast another 4 years.
That's not good news for the game.
If you dont know, Channels 7 and 10 have put in a joint bid and effectivly frozen Nine out.
Predictably, McGuire suggested that this move would be a disaster for the AFL and lets all hope that Nine secure the rights. :roll:
The thing is, with the AFL rights before the NRL rights, what ever decision is made by the AFL will have a HUGE baring on what Rugby League can expect to get.
If 7 and 10 manage to secure the AFL rights they will be looking to show and extra game compared to what the AFL shows now. Both have given a commitment to push AFL in NSW and QLD.
With 7 and 10 getting right behind AFL, the likleyhood that either would then bid for NRL TV rights is remote. Lets face it, neither 7 or 10 is about to buy the NRL Rights and then put them up against their AFL partner network.
That leave Channel 9.....and we all know what they will do if they are the sole bidder for Rugby League rights.
The NRL may have some room to work in with State Of Origin. A big ratings winner, a game that can be played mid week so it does clash with any other games. Both 7 and 9 would see the Origin as a key to helping with the ratings war both sides are currently fighting.
NRL regular season games rate well in NSW and QLD, but outside of those two state NRL club games mean very little to any of the networks. The same could be said for Test football and City vs Country.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out. What ever happens, I have a feeling Rugby League is going to get a deal that is below market value, that doesnt improve on coverage outside of NSW and QLD....and a deal that see's the game once again tied to Channel 9 for atleast another 4 years.
That's not good news for the game.