why the NRL need to start increasing crowds

[NlolRL]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...w ... xxl5o.html

There are fears the value of the next broadcast deals for sports such as rugby league and cricket could plateau or even plummet after the Seven Network posted a $745 million loss for the financial year.

Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith, who previously helped the NRL, AFL and ARU broker media deals, has echoed the view of Seven West Media boss Tim Worner, who claimed sports rights had reached a "tipping point".

Seven West Media's overall revenue was down 2.7 per cent to $1.6 billion in comparison to the previous year, which included the Rio Olympics. The free-to-air network invests heavily in sports, including the AFL and tennis' Australian Open, with the shock result raising fresh questions about the future broadcast value of those and other sports.

The Nine Network holds the broadcast rights for cricket and rugby league. Nine has had the rights for home cricket internationals since 1979, although the current deal will expire at the end of the 2017-18 summer. The Big Bash rights are about to be up for renegotiation and uncertainty over the future of current rights holder Channel Ten will likely decrease the competitive tension in the market.

Nine's new NRL contract kicks in for the 2018 season and runs for the next five years, a deal that – in partnership with those done with News Corp, Fox Sports and Telstra – will bring in $1.8 billion for the NRL. While that sum represents a 70 per cent increase on the previous rights deal, there could be a downside in the future.

"We are fast approaching the tipping point," Smith said.

"The broadcasters' costs are rising and by acquiring content such as AFL and NRL they're not getting more revenue. That's not sustainable long-term.

"Then you have the issue of whether one of the free-to-air networks survive, and if it does, in what form?

"It's not like there's a feeding frenzy out there attempting to acquire rights.

"The idea that there is going to be significant growth going forward is going to be challenged."

Rugby league is the only major sport without a collective bargaining agreement after cricket and AFL recently struck revenue-sharing arrangements with their players. The Rugby League Players' Association has been pushing for a 29 per cent slice of the pie, which would mean a share of any upside or downside in revenue in the ensuing five years.

Smith said the only way the NRL could ensure an increase in its next deal was by adding premium content. He suggested a team in the Brisbane or south-east Queensland regions could achieve this.

"If you're not increasing your television audience, and therefore making yourself more attractive, how can broadcasters continue to pay more money?" Smith asked. "It's not possible. One of the challenges you have in rugby league is that TV audiences have dropped. While AFL is up about 2 per cent, in the NRL, Fox Sports is slightly up, but channel Nine is significantly down.

"That makes it tough to think that come 2021-22, there will be significant increases.

"Television is more important for rugby league than AFL because their attendances, save for Origin and the grand final, are comparably low."

Worner's "tipping point" warning came on Wednesday morning as the chief executive blamed his company's poor performance on a "tough market".

"Given changes in the market, price rises are not sustainable. We have to reach a position where the economics stack up for all parties [and] where the power and reach that free-to-air brings [to sports]," Worner said.

He pointed to the popularity of the Big Bash as an example of why networks should be rewarded for growing the popularity of sports.

"These sports code have to start to recognise the power of what we bring to them," Worner said.

There are hopes that "disruptors", such as Netflix, Google, Facebook and Amazon, will enter the race for future sporting content, therefore pushing up the price.

While Smith said their entry into the market was inevitable, it might not happen in time for the next NRL rights cycle.

The NRL cant continue to rely on TV revenue for the vast majority of their income because future deals may not be as lucrative. It's time they started taking crowds seriously

[Fred]

With Telstra dropping their dividends today by 30 percent acknowledging the drop in revenue expected with the nbn ... there may be less money from them as well.

[Terry]

There are a number of problems with this thread: 1)The original story came from Tim Worner CEO of Ch 7 after they posted a loss of 744 million dollars. He was the one who said sports broadcasting money is at a tipping point. They broadcast AFL. He was clearly meaning the AFL will have to take a hit.

2) It then moves onto crowds. There is actually far more room for improvement in NRL crowds than there are for the AFL which operates at worlds best per head of population. With the new NSW sports stadiums money improving Parra, Homebush and the city stadiums they will get bigger crowds. Plus better scheduling, marketing and promotion will increase it more competition wide. There is far more potential improvement in NRL crowds than for the fumblers. That's a plus for the NRL if the broadcast money does in fact get pruned.

3) Ratings fluctuate year on year. Last year RL had a big increase. This year they are down mainly in Sydney on FTA - due to the poor playing performance of the big rating Sydney teams. The AFL is up this year but have had years in the last broadcast cycle where they went down. No one can predict what ratings are going to be in the next five years.

4) The AFL has maxed out on expansion and has no potential for more broadcast money by introducing more teams. The NRL has massive potential for a 2nd Brisbane team and good potential for a Perth team to add to broadcast money.

Bottom line: if the TV money does in fact tank RL is actually in a better position to make up the shortfall than the Australian Fumbling League. That's the facts.

[pussycat]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...w ... xxl5o.html

There are fears the value of the next broadcast deals for sports such as rugby league and cricket could plateau or even plummet after the Seven Network posted a $745 million loss for the financial year.

Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith, who previously helped the NRL, AFL and ARU broker media deals, has echoed the view of Seven West Media boss Tim Worner, who claimed sports rights had reached a "tipping point".

Seven West Media's overall revenue was down 2.7 per cent to $1.6 billion in comparison to the previous year, which included the Rio Olympics. The free-to-air network invests heavily in sports, including the AFL and tennis' Australian Open, with the shock result raising fresh questions about the future broadcast value of those and other sports.

The Nine Network holds the broadcast rights for cricket and rugby league. Nine has had the rights for home cricket internationals since 1979, although the current deal will expire at the end of the 2017-18 summer. The Big Bash rights are about to be up for renegotiation and uncertainty over the future of current rights holder Channel Ten will likely decrease the competitive tension in the market.

Nine's new NRL contract kicks in for the 2018 season and runs for the next five years, a deal that – in partnership with those done with News Corp, Fox Sports and Telstra – will bring in $1.8 billion for the NRL. While that sum represents a 70 per cent increase on the previous rights deal, there could be a downside in the future.

"We are fast approaching the tipping point," Smith said.

"The broadcasters' costs are rising and by acquiring content such as AFL and NRL they're not getting more revenue. That's not sustainable long-term.

"Then you have the issue of whether one of the free-to-air networks survive, and if it does, in what form?

"It's not like there's a feeding frenzy out there attempting to acquire rights.

"The idea that there is going to be significant growth going forward is going to be challenged."

Rugby league is the only major sport without a collective bargaining agreement after cricket and AFL recently struck revenue-sharing arrangements with their players. The Rugby League Players' Association has been pushing for a 29 per cent slice of the pie, which would mean a share of any upside or downside in revenue in the ensuing five years.

Smith said the only way the NRL could ensure an increase in its next deal was by adding premium content. He suggested a team in the Brisbane or south-east Queensland regions could achieve this.

"If you're not increasing your television audience, and therefore making yourself more attractive, how can broadcasters continue to pay more money?" Smith asked. "It's not possible. One of the challenges you have in rugby league is that TV audiences have dropped. While AFL is up about 2 per cent, in the NRL, Fox Sports is slightly up, but channel Nine is significantly down.

"That makes it tough to think that come 2021-22, there will be significant increases.

"Television is more important for rugby league than AFL because their attendances, save for Origin and the grand final, are comparably low."

Worner's "tipping point" warning came on Wednesday morning as the chief executive blamed his company's poor performance on a "tough market".

"Given changes in the market, price rises are not sustainable. We have to reach a position where the economics stack up for all parties [and] where the power and reach that free-to-air brings [to sports]," Worner said.

He pointed to the popularity of the Big Bash as an example of why networks should be rewarded for growing the popularity of sports.

"These sports code have to start to recognise the power of what we bring to them," Worner said.

There are hopes that "disruptors", such as Netflix, Google, Facebook and Amazon, will enter the race for future sporting content, therefore pushing up the price.

While Smith said their entry into the market was inevitable, it might not happen in time for the next NRL rights cycle.

The NRL cant continue to rely on TV revenue for the vast majority of their income because future deals may not be as lucrative. It's time they started taking crowds seriously

That will teach channel 7 . I'll bet you they'll give AFL the flick next time round. Explains why wanted the Rugby League world cup so bad.

[pussycat]

There are a number of problems with this thread: 1)The original story came from Tim Worner CEO of Ch 7 after they posted a loss of 744 million dollars. He was the one who said sports broadcasting money is at a tipping point. They broadcast AFL. He was clearly meaning the AFL will have to take a hit.

2) It then moves onto crowds. There is actually far more room for improvement in NRL crowds than there are for the AFL which operates at worlds best per head of population. With the new NSW sports stadiums money improving Parra, Homebush and the city stadiums they will get bigger crowds. Plus better scheduling, marketing and promotion will increase it more competition wide. There is far more potential improvement in NRL crowds than for the fumblers. That's a plus for the NRL if the broadcast money does in fact get pruned.

3) Ratings fluctuate year on year. Last year RL had a big increase. This year they are down mainly in Sydney on FTA - due to the poor playing performance of the big rating Sydney teams. The AFL is up this year but have had years in the last broadcast cycle where they went down. No one can predict what ratings are going to be in the next five years.

4) The AFL has maxed out on expansion and has no potential for more broadcast money by introducing more teams. The NRL has massive potential for a 2nd Brisbane team and good potential for a Perth team to add to broadcast money.

Bottom line: if the TV money does in fact tank RL is actually in a better position to make up the shortfall than the Australian Fumbling League. That's the facts.

Also Strange that he also just paid $10m for the Rugby League world cup.

Under the new NRL contract, which comes in next year, C9 will benefit from owning streaming rights, something I suspect C7 already has.

[AFLcrap1]

So ch 7 is going bad .
Boss talks down sport .
Unheard of

[NlolRL]

1)The original story came from Tim Worner CEO of Ch 7 after they posted a loss of 744 million dollars. He was the one who said sports broadcasting money is at a tipping point. They broadcast AFL. He was clearly meaning the AFL will have to take a hit.

actually the majority of the article quotes Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith

2) It then moves onto crowds. There is actually far more room for improvement in NRL crowds than there are for the AFL which operates at worlds best per head of population. With the new NSW sports stadiums money improving Parra, Homebush and the city stadiums they will get bigger crowds. Plus better scheduling, marketing and promotion will increase it more competition wide. There is far more potential improvement in NRL crowds than for the fumblers. That's a plus for the NRL if the broadcast money does in fact get pruned.

the AFL still have room to grow crowds when Perth's new stadium opens next season, Adelaide oval can still expand, Perth can introduce a 3rd team, and Brisbane will improve substantially when they are competitive again. The AFL have an attendance culture, the NRL do not. This will take decades to change, if at all

3) Ratings fluctuate year on year. Last year RL had a big increase. This year they are down mainly in Sydney on FTA - due to the poor playing performance of the big rating Sydney teams. The AFL is up this year but have had years in the last broadcast cycle where they went down. No one can predict what ratings are going to be in the next five years.

The NRL is down substantially on FTA in Sydney. Blaming this on your bigger sydney clubs is a cop out. Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton have been crap on average for years yet our ratings have been fine. We have finally evened out our comp after introducing 2 new teams which is the main reason for our ratings increase.

4) The AFL has maxed out on expansion and has no potential for more broadcast money by introducing more teams. The NRL has massive potential for a 2nd Brisbane team and good potential for a Perth team to add to broadcast money.

BS. 3rd Perth team, Tasmania, Giants will still grow slowly, and the game continues to grow in NSW and QLD. The NRL will need to spend massive dollars to expand outside NSW and QLD, and with what money if TV revenue begins to plateau?

Bottom line: if the TV money does in fact tank RL is actually in a better position to make up the shortfall than the Australian Fumbling League. That's the facts.

Rubbish. We already have far more revenue from memberships and crowds, yours is far far away from being realised

[Fred]

Yes I was thinking that too re expansion. I think there is room a long way down the track for another Sydney team. I would see this before another Perth team to be honest. Tassie will get a side too ... one day.

[Terry]

Ahhhh the delusion of the fumblers. It's very hard to see outside that bubble so I'll cut you some slack you poor silly buggers. It's going to take over 5 years to prove this argument but my premise is correct. AFL has maxed out. RL has far more room for improvement domestically and internationally. That's the facts fumblers.

[Fred]

I think the AFL or nrl can plonk a team anywhere just abouts . The thing is the growing of grassroots. The nrl stuffed thisxeutg Melbourne but I believe are doing a better job in Perth where they will put there next team and one from Brisbane (if they are smart). Agree this needs to be next 5 years but the way the current administration is going they will probably fluff this. Thing is, they would still be behind the AFL re expansion. The AFL will add more teams ... I think Sydney and tassie will come on board and there is room for another Perth team. In fact, if the nrl do put a Perth team in the AFL may just put another AFL sidecthere ... thus taking up valuable sponsors, just to bury the nrl team.

[NlolRL]

Ahhhh the delusion of the fumblers. It's very hard to see outside that bubble so I'll cut you some slack you poor silly buggers. It's going to take over 5 years to prove this argument but my premise is correct. AFL has maxed out. RL has far more room for improvement domestically and internationally. That's the facts fumblers.

how are we maxed out when both Perth teams have a membership waiting list because their 40k stadium doesnt fit the demand, which will resolve next year? We have Tasmania, and a growing grass roots following along the country's populated eastern sea board. We also already have a substantial portion of revenue from non TV sources. The NRL on the other hand are heavily reliant on TV revenue with little to no hope of growing crowds given their fan's terrible commitment to attendance. Look at tonights hilarious crowd as an example. Your expansion prospects beyond Brisbane are a joke given the tiny grass roots following RL has outside NSW and QLD. Yes RL sure does have room to grow, all it lacks is the public's interest and funds

[pussycat]

Imagine how much these fumblers will be whinging about overlapping matches if they add any more teams but but but

[Terry]

Well it's gotta be said pal.......you're a dill. You have very little room for improvement. Perth is done. Tassie is a backwater. NSW and Qld are done. There will be no new teams in the next broadcast cycle to boost revenue. You got frog marched out of NZ. China ratings have been hidden because of the embarrassment. I'll be surprised if there is another game in China. They've seen, they laughed, they've moved on.

RL on the other hand have massive room for improvement as I have already outlined. I won't be going around the goldfish bowl with you and waffling Fred over this. You actually argue in favour of my premise but you're too stupid to know it.

Goodnight, thank you and good luck my friend.

[NlolRL]

Imagine how much these fumblers will be whinging about overlapping matches if they add any more teams but but but

LOL

Theres nothing wrong with overlapping games unless youre comparing ratings with another game that doesnt have overlapping games

Well it's gotta be said pal.......you're a dill. You have very little room for improvement. Perth is done. Tassie is a backwater. NSW and Qld are done. There will be no new teams in the next broadcast cycle to boost revenue. You got frog marched out of NZ. China ratings have been hidden because of the embarrassment. I'll be surprised if there is another game in China. They've seen, they laughed, they've moved on.

RL on the other hand have massive room for improvement as I have already outlined. I won't be going around the goldfish bowl with you and waffling Fred over this. You actually argue in favour of my premise but you're too stupid to know it.

Goodnight, thank you and good luck my friend.

Perth is done.......... what are you basing this on? Why do you think theyre building a new stadium, for fun?

Hobart has a bigger population than Townsville

NSW and QLD are growing. The Swans are as popular as ever yet the giants are growing every year. That's growth.

Yes RL has HUGE room for growth given they are non existent in SA, WA and TAS. But given the complete lack of interest in grass roots RL any meaningful success is decades away at best. In fact with the state of RL in Sydney youve got more worries retaining interest in your heartland than growing it elsewhere.

If TV revenue stalls NRL is rooted

[Fred]

Oh my mistake. Terry says wa is done therefore it must be.

I would agree that qld aren't getting another team but there is room for another in Sydney in 20 years ... especially if gws mimick swans ... they'll be bursting for another team. The grassroots are there already and growing as too infrastructure.

Also, building stadiums in Sydney ... why do you think this means bigger crowds ? Look at tonight.