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Next TV deal discussion 2028 -

Messages
1,120
More signs of life at Ten.


"Network 10, owned by Paramount Global, picked up the television licences from regional broadcasters Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and WIN over the past six months."

Gives Channel 10 access to almost 7 million homes in regional NSW, QLD and Victoria.
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
More signs of life at Ten.


"Network 10, owned by Paramount Global, picked up the television licences from regional broadcasters Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and WIN over the past six months."

Gives Channel 10 access to almost 7 million homes in regional NSW, QLD and Victoria.
This is the new areas... prime RL area their. 10 will be a player especially if we go for Two, Free To Air, because Nine will just low ball like b4, so create 2 TV packages with pricing and go to market. For the pay Tv it means we have to have a pre/season Tens/Nines tournament with competition points for the winners AND a after season international tournaments for 4/5 weeks after the GF, made for PAY TV only ( except National Australia games as per Anti siphoning laws ) so as to get Over $300m plus.

i can see 10 being on board with their new territories or area's ie Northern NSW with millions of Rugby League viewers.

Overview of Tens 10 new area's.
Learn more

Network 10 in Australia has acquired the Northern New South Wales television license from WIN Network. This acquisition has expanded Network 10's reach into key regional areas, including Newcastle, Lismore, and the Gold Coast. The move also includes areas like Northern Rivers, Tamworth, Taree, and Port Macquarie.


Key areas affected by the acquisition:
Newcastle, Lismore, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Tamworth, Taree, and Port Macquarie.


Overall impact:
  • Network 10's regional reach has been expanded, allowing for a more national footprint.

  • The acquisition ensures Network 10's programming will be available in these key regional areas.


  • It allows Network 10 to continue local production and broadcasting of local news updates in these areas.
 
Last edited:

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
This is the new areas... prime RL area their. 10 will be a player especially if we go for Two, Free To Air, because Nine will just low ball like b4, so create 2 TV packages with pricing and go to market. For the pay Tv it means we have to have a pre/season Tens/Nines tournament with competition points for the winners AND a after season international tournaments for 4/5 weeks after the GF, made for PAY TV only ( except National Australia games as per Anti siphoning laws ) so as to get Over $300m plus.

i can see 10 being on board with their new territories or area's ie Northern NSW with millions of Rugby League viewers.

Overview of Tens 10 new area's.
Learn more

Network 10 in Australia has acquired the Northern New South Wales television license from WIN Network. This acquisition has expanded Network 10's reach into key regional areas, including Newcastle, Lismore, and the Gold Coast. The move also includes areas like Northern Rivers, Tamworth, Taree, and Port Macquarie.


Key areas affected by the acquisition:
Newcastle, Lismore, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Tamworth, Taree, and Port Macquarie.


Overall impact:
  • Network 10's regional reach has been expanded, allowing for a more national footprint.

  • The acquisition ensures Network 10's programming will be available in these key regional areas.


  • It allows Network 10 to continue local production and broadcasting of local news updates in these areas.
As above Ten should be a player due it's increase in coverage into NSW and SE Qld
Lets dust off a old proposal, feel free to add and change, but this is NOW in the mix, Nine will low ball or pay overs
Two FTA is he go and best way to maxaise TV deal revenue.

1. FTA Nine 2 games Fri 8pm Sun 4pm
PAY TV 2 games (only) Stan shows Fri 6pm and Sun 2pm
Grand Final and SOS 3
Package 1 cost $130 per year

2. FTA Ten 2 games 6pm fri (just after slight shorten news)and Sun 2Pm for lead up to news.
Pay Tv 2 games (only) Paramount Plus show Fri 8pm game and Sunday 4pm game.
SOS games 1 and 2.
Package cost $115 per year.

3. Fox/KAyo Paytv show all 8/9 games.
Allowed to have a Monday night game. This allows 2 days where they on have content, up from one day (Sat)
Currently pay around $255m per year increase up to $300m per year.

Special arrangement for PAY TV game Thursday.
Only say Amazon/Netflix/Disney or any outside streamer can have joint showing of TNF with Fox/Kayo.
This outside streamer can can TNF AND a FTA game from package 1 AND 2. to show the payed content.
This could be marked as 3 games (PAY streamed on either Disney, Amazon,or Netflix for say $55 m per year.
So total Australian media equals $600m per year neat, or with out Special arrangements $545m per year.

Attacked this way where you the NRL create the packages and sell. Of course it will be the accounts that have a big say BUT i feel the packages stand up to scrutiny. The special arrangement may be, but for $55 m per year with the NRL providing the 'coverage' it will be a ratings winner for them.
I will add deep seek opinion for better clarity.
 
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Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
1,576
I get that we all (or at least most of us) on here want the NRL to get the most it can for the tv rights that the market is willing to pay. This is not a criticism but it just feels that some posters are slicing and dicing the weekend games across providers some of which are realistic bidders, others with no hope or intention to bid, just to get a figure of 600m pa. While the USA has multiple players that show the NFL, their population dwarfs ours so not sure the same is economically feasible here.

I can't, but does anyone recall when 2 stations were showing the league here was it OK or a bit all over the place?
 

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
16,690
I get that we all (or at least most of us) on here want the NRL to get the most it can for the tv rights that the market is willing to pay. This is not a criticism but it just feels that some posters are slicing and dicing the weekend games across providers some of which are realistic bidders, others with no hope or intention to bid, just to get a figure of 600m pa. While the USA has multiple players that show the NFL, their population dwarfs ours so not sure the same is economically feasible here.

I can't, but does anyone recall when 2 stations were showing the league here was it OK or a bit all over the place?

I can’t recall a time when 2 commercial stations have shown FTA NSWRL/ ARL/NRL games at the same time …. Back in the 80s and 90s the ABC used to show live coverage of the Saturday afternoon game whilst the commercial rights were shown on Sunday’s and then eventually Friday nights as well… on delay of course so more ads could be crammed in …

Not that it means 2 commercial channels couldn’t do it now, although t would assume that one would have a once a week say Thursday or Monday night game only, and the other the rest of the FTA available games …
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
I get that we all (or at least most of us) on here want the NRL to get the most it can for the tv rights that the market is willing to pay. This is not a criticism but it just feels that some posters are slicing and dicing the weekend games across providers some of which are realistic bidders, others with no hope or intention to bid, just to get a figure of 600m pa. While the USA has multiple players that show the NFL, their population dwarfs ours so not sure the same is economically feasible here.

I can't, but does anyone recall when 2 stations were showing the league here was it OK or a bit all over the place?
The packages blend a fair go for the less well off, who won't get Kayo, so up 1 FTA game from three (now) to four.
So a punter can watch 4 games on FTA, however they can go to Paramount Plus or stan to watch all four ( maybe add free for a tidy lip of $13.00. Look what ten just brought, the old WIN license for Greater Newcastle/Hunter ( just under 1 mil population their, Mid North coast Northern River New England/Tamworth Coffs Harbor, Byron and Tweed Heads PLUS Gold Coast. Millions of viewers and no sharing revenue with the regional broadcasters, pure profit. Look if Ten don't make a play/ or offered their not really in the TV business. It's not like it's $220 m pa, $85-95 pa. They will turn a profit. Miserly Nine will only pay say $130m pa. Ten had a population bomb dropped on them, with 2.5million League Lovers wanting to watch.

However Kayo/Fox are our main breadbasket. So they can 'boast' five live and exclusive, exclusive Thur, Sat, Monday. They will do thier numbers, thts why the pre/season nines with comp points AND a after GF internationals in both Uk and Australia, with having what one could class Australia A going to Uk and play England at Sat 1.00 am Uk Time for Australian time telecast at say, 8pm Sat. Like 4 nations but one in the 'Northern Hemisphere ie Uk, and one in Australia.
So you would be able to watch Australia play Wed night (in Australia) while on Sat night watch the Australia A in the UK. Have a points table, crown a champion. This could feasibly increase ( combined with Nines pre Season tournaments) by 2 paying months for Foxtel/kayo. This will make them pay over $300 plus pa. Game money or ticket Tickets sales in the Uk will ensure a breakeven financial outcome. Ticket sales for Australia tournament ( with England ) again it makes it a breakeven IMO.

i will reply to myself as I have put into deep seek for a better write up as i know i explained it like shit, reply coming
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
The packages blend a fair go for the less well off, who won't get Kayo, so up 1 FTA game from three (now) to four.
So a punter can watch 4 games on FTA, however they can go to Paramount Plus or stan to watch all four ( maybe add free for a tidy lip of $13.00. Look what ten just brought, the old WIN license for Greater Newcastle/Hunter ( just under 1 mil population their, Mid North coast Northern River New England/Tamworth Coffs Harbor, Byron and Tweed Heads PLUS Gold Coast. Millions of viewers and no sharing revenue with the regional broadcasters, pure profit. Look if Ten don't make a play/ or offered their not really in the TV business. It's not like it's $220 m pa, $85-95 pa. They will turn a profit. Miserly Nine will only pay say $130m pa. Ten had a population bomb dropped on them, with 2.5million League Lovers wanting to watch.

However Kayo/Fox are our main breadbasket. So they can 'boast' five live and exclusive, exclusive Thur, Sat, Monday. They will do thier numbers, thts why the pre/season nines with comp points AND a after GF internationals in both Uk and Australia, with having what one could class Australia A going to Uk and play England at Sat 1.00 am Uk Time for Australian time telecast at say, 8pm Sat. Like 4 nations but one in the 'Northern Hemisphere ie Uk, and one in Australia.
So you would be able to watch Australia play Wed night (in Australia) while on Sat night watch the Australia A in the UK. Have a points table, crown a champion. This could feasibly increase ( combined with Nines pre Season tournaments) by 2 paying months for Foxtel/kayo. This will make them pay over $300 plus pa. Game money or ticket Tickets sales in the Uk will ensure a breakeven financial outcome. Ticket sales for Australia tournament ( with England ) again it makes it a breakeven IMO.

i will reply to myself as I have put into deep seek for a better write up as i know i explained it like shit, reply coming






The packages blend a fair go for the less well off, who won't get Kayo, so up 1 FTA game from three (now) to four. So a punter can watch 4 games on FTA, however they can go to Paramount Plus or stan to watch all four ( maybe add free for a tidy lip of $13.00. Look what ten just brought, the old WIN license for Greater Newcastle/Hunter ( just under 1 mil population their, Mid North coast Northern River New England/Tamworth Coffs Harbor, Byron and Tweed Heads PLUS Gold Coast. Millions of viewers and no sharing revenue with the regional broadcasters, pure profit. Look if Ten don't make a play/ or offered their not really in the TV business. It's not like it's $220 m pa, $85-95 pa. They will turn a profit. Miserly Nine will only pay say $130m pa. Ten had a population bomb dropped on them, with 2.5million League Lovers wanting to watch. However Kayo/Fox are our main breadbasket. So they can 'boast' five live and exclusive, exclusive Thur, Sat, Monday. They will do thier numbers, thts why the pre/season nines with comp points AND a after GF internationals in both Uk and Australia, with having what one could class Australia A going to Uk and play England at Sat 1.00 am Uk Time for Australian time telecast at say, 8pm Sat. Like 4 nations but one in the 'Northern Hemisphere ie Uk, and one in Australia. So you would be able to watch Australia play Wed night (in Australia) while on Sat night watch the Australia A in the UK. Have a points table, crown a champion. This could feasibly increase ( combined with Nines pre Season tournaments) by 2 paying months for Foxtel/kayo. This will make them pay over $300 plus pa. Game money or ticket Tickets sales in the Uk will ensure a breakeven financial outcome. Ticket sales for Australia tournament ( with England ) again it makes it a breakeven IMO.



It sounds like you're outlining a potential media rights and broadcasting strategy for rugby league (likely the NRL) in Australia, with a focus on free-to-air (FTA) coverage, streaming platforms, and Kayo/Foxtel's role—while also proposing an expanded international tournament format to increase revenue. Let me break down and analyze your points:

Key Points in Your Proposal:

  1. Free-to-Air (FTA) Games:
    • Increase from 3 to 4 FTA games per round, giving casual fans more access.
    • Viewers can also access all games via Paramount+ or Stan (with a $13/month subscription).
    • Ten Network's acquisition of WIN's license in key regional areas (Newcastle/Hunter, Gold Coast, Northern NSW) gives them a larger audience without revenue sharing, making it a profitable move.
  2. Kayo/Foxtel's Role:
    • They retain exclusivity for 5 live games (Thu, Sat, Mon nights) to maintain their subscriber base.
    • Their financial contribution is critical, so the NRL must ensure they get value (e.g., exclusive content).
  3. Expanded Competitions for More Content:
    • Pre-Season Nines Tournament: A shortened-format competition with competition points to make it meaningful.
    • Post-GF International Series:
      • "Australia A" vs. England in the UK (timed for prime-time Aussie TV, e.g., 8pm Sat in AEST).
      • Parallel tournament in Australia (vs. England or other nations).
      • A combined points table crowns an overall champion.
    • This adds ~2 months of premium content, extending Kayo/Foxtel's paying window and justifying higher rights fees ($300m+ per year).
    • Ticket sales in the UK and Australia could offset costs, making it financially viable.
  4. Network Bidding Dynamics:
    • Nine is conservative (may offer only ~$130m/year).
    • Ten, with its expanded regional reach (2.5M+ league fans in new areas), could bid $85-95m/year and still profit.
    • Fox/Kayo remains the "breadwinner," so the NRL must structure deals to keep them happy.

Potential Benefits:

  • More FTA Games: Better for fans, helps grow the game.
  • Streaming Flexibility: Paramount+/Stan as affordable alternatives to Kayo.
  • Extended Content Window: International tournaments add value for broadcasters, increasing rights fees.
  • UK Market Engagement: A prime-time Aus-UK matchup could attract a solid TV audience and live crowds.

Challenges/Questions:

  1. Player Workload: Adding more high-intensity games (post-GF) could lead to burnout. Would clubs and players agree?
  2. Kayo/Foxtel's Exclusivity: If too many games go to FTA/streaming, does that devalue Kayo's offering?
  3. Competition Saturation: Could extra tournaments dilute interest in the NRL season or State of Origin?
  4. Ten’s Financial Position: Are they strong enough to bid aggressively after recent struggles?

Final Thoughts:

Your model is creative and emphasizes:
  • Balancing accessibility (FTA) with premium content (Kayo).
  • Leveraging international matches to increase revenue.
  • Exploiting Ten’s expanded regional reach for better FTA coverage.
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
1,576
I can’t recall a time when 2 commercial stations have shown FTA NSWRL/ ARL/NRL games at the same time …. Back in the 80s and 90s the ABC used to show live coverage of the Saturday afternoon game whilst the commercial rights were shown on Sunday’s and then eventually Friday nights as well… on delay of course so more ads could be crammed in …

Not that it means 2 commercial channels couldn’t do it now, although t would assume that one would have a once a week say Thursday or Monday night game only, and the other the rest of the FTA available games …
I thought someone earlier wrote there were 2 stations showing league but I could be wrong.
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
1,576
Thanks for that Colly. Maybe just me, but got a bit lost reading it. I thought the challenges/questions are however interesting.

Don't know about others but I just want a simple solution (with the best return for the NRL) rather than having to work out what day it is to work out what station I have to on or how many subscriptions I need to watch the game.
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
As above Ten should be a player due it's increase in coverage into NSW and SE Qld
Lets dust off a old proposal, feel free to add and change, but this is NOW in the mix, Nine will low ball or pay overs
Two FTA is he go and best way to maxaise TV deal revenue.

1. FTA Nine 2 games Fri 8pm Sun 4pm
PAY TV 2 games (only) Stan shows Fri 6pm and Sun 2pm
Grand Final and SOS 3
Package 1 cost $130 per year

2. FTA Ten 2 games 6pm fri (just after slight shorten news)and Sun 2Pm for lead up to news.
Pay Tv 2 games (only) Paramount Plus show Fri 8pm game and Sunday 4pm game.
SOS games 1 and 2.
Package cost $115 per year.

3. Fox/KAyo Paytv show all 8/9 games.
Allowed to have a Monday night game. This allows 2 days where they on have content, up from one day (Sat)
Currently pay around $255m per year increase up to $300m per year.

Special arrangement for PAY TV game Thursday.
Only say Amazon/Netflix/Disney or any outside streamer can have joint showing of TNF with Fox/Kayo.
This outside streamer can can TNF AND a FTA game from package 1 AND 2. to show the payed content.
This could be marked as 3 games (PAY streamed on either Disney, Amazon,or Netflix for say $55 m per year.
So total Australian media equals $600m per year neat, or with out Special arrangements $545m per year.

Attacked this way where you the NRL create the packages and sell. Of course it will be the accounts that have a big say BUT i feel the packages stand up to scrutiny. The special arrangement may be, but for $55 m per year with the NRL providing the 'coverage' it will be a ratings winner for them.
I will add deep seek opinion for better clarity.

Proposed NRL Media Rights Structure:

Package 1: Nine Network + Stan

  • FTA (Nine):
    • Friday 8pm (primetime)
    • Sunday 4pm (lead-in to evening news)
  • Pay (Stan):
    • Friday 6pm
    • Sunday 2pm
  • Includes: Grand Final + State of Origin (3 games)
  • Cost: $130m/year

Package 2: Network Ten + Paramount+

  • FTA (Ten):
    • Friday 6pm (after shortened news)
    • Sunday 2pm (pre-news slot)
  • Pay (Paramount+):
    • Friday 8pm
    • Sunday 4pm
  • Includes: State of Origin (Games 1 & 2)
  • Cost: $115m/year

Package 3: Fox Sports/Kayo (Exclusive Pay-TV)

  • All 8-9 games per round (full access)
  • Exclusive Monday Night Football (new content day)
  • Cost: **300m/year∗∗(upfrom 300m/year∗∗(upfrom 255m)

Special Arrangement: Thursday Night Football (TNF) + Bonus Streamer

  • Joint broadcast: Fox/Kayo + external streamer (Amazon/Netflix/Disney)
  • Streamer gets:
    • TNF (exclusive or simulcast)
    • 1 FTA game from Package 1 (Nine)
    • 1 FTA game from Package 2 (Ten)
  • Cost: $55m/year

Total Potential Revenue:

  • Base Model (without TNF deal): **545m/year∗∗(545m/year∗∗(130m + 115m+115m+300m)
  • With TNF Streamer: $600m/year

Strengths of the Proposal:

  1. Balanced FTA Exposure:
    • Two major networks (Nine and Ten) share key slots, ensuring broad reach.
    • Nine keeps prestige times (Fri 8pm, Sun 4pm) and Origin + GF, justifying their higher bid.
    • Ten targets younger audiences with earlier Friday/Sunday games.
  2. Pay-TV/Streaming Synergy:
    • Fox/Kayo remains the "premium" product with all games, justifying their $300m fee.
    • Stan & Paramount+ get niche slots, complementing FTA without cannibalizing Kayo.
  3. TNF as a Premium Add-On:
    • A streaming giant (e.g., Amazon) could turn TNF into a marquee product (like NFL’s TNF).
    • Bundling FTA games gives the streamer extra value for their $55m investment.
  4. Competition Between Networks:
    • Forces Nine and Ten to bid aggressively (Nine pays more for Origin/GF; Ten undercuts but gains reach).

Potential Issues & Refinements:

  1. Nine’s Dominance Over Key Content:
    • Giving Nine all 3 Origin games + GF might make Ten hesitant to bid.
    • Fix: Split Origin equally (e.g., Nine gets Games 1 & 3; Ten gets Game 2).
  2. Streamer Interest in TNF:
    • Would Amazon/Netflix pay $55m for TNF + 2 FTA games? They may demand exclusivity.
    • Fix: Let the streamer choose any 2 additional games (not just FTA) or guarantee TNF exclusivity.
  3. Fox/Kayo’s Monopoly Over Most Games:
    • If Fox has all non-FTA games, Stan/Paramount+ may feel sidelined.
    • Fix: Allow Stan/Paramount+ to simulcast 1-2 extra Kayo games (e.g., Saturday fixtures).
  4. Ten’s Financial Viability:
    • Can Ten afford $115m/year? Their recent struggles may limit bids.
    • Fix: Let Ten share costs with Paramount+ (e.g., Ten pays 80m;Paramount+covers80m;Paramount+covers35m).

Alternative Adjustments:

  • Add a "Digital-Only" Package:
    • Sell Saturday games to a streamer (e.g., Stan or Amazon) as a standalone product.
  • Incentivize Kayo Further:
    • Grant them exclusive finals coverage (except GF) to justify $300m+.
  • Expand TNF:
    • Make it a double-header (e.g., 6pm + 8pm) to attract higher streaming bids.

Final Assessment:

Your model is viable and innovative, but success hinges on:

  1. Nine and Ten seeing enough value in their packages to bid aggressively.
  2. A streaming giant biting on TNF (likely Amazon, given their NFL experience).
  3. Fox/Kayo accepting shared rights (they may demand more exclusivity).
If the NRL can negotiate this carefully, $600m/year is achievable. The key is ensuring no single broadcaster feels shortchanged while maximizing competition between bidders.

Would you consider tweaking the Origin split or adding a Saturday streaming package to further boost revenue?
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,196
Yes we can all use ChatGPT !
It's deep seek, however b4 I put it too up Deep seek for explanation/clarification and tidied up, I at least put in my words. ( before/first) It generally tidies up and clarifies and put in some solid points itself.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
41,223
I will qualify that my post below doesn’t account for game length which does matter for fta

But seven will be paying 170 to 180 million for the afl club comp whose ratings are falling

Their game are losing many weeks to nrl games which is unheard of

Then you’ve got men’s and women’s origin etc

Seven has gotten huge lemon

Nine will be able to become the dominant fta network off the back of its rugby league content

Kerry stokes has backed a loser
 

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