Talking Footy

NRL schedule puts networks in a fix as viewers switch off

Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
June 15, 2013 12:00AM


EXCLUSIVE: NRL research has uncovered a 1.5 million viewership decrease so far this season - a ratings nosedive that has placed the merits of a fixed schedule in the crosshairs.

In response to pleas for certainty from clubs and sponsors, the NRL introduced a fixed schedule over the first 20 rounds for the first time in its 16-year history.

But diminished ratings across the majority of timeslots suggest the move might have backfired, although a spate of blowouts and significant off-field dramas could have also taken a toll on fan loyalty.

According to an internal NRL document obtained by The Daily Telegraph this week, a total of 1,500,927 fewer people have tuned in to Nine and Fox Sports telecasts over the opening 13 rounds.

That represents a ratings drop of 2.9 per cent on the first half of last season.

On the plus side, live attendances have risen by 1.1 per cent over the same period.

However, it's debatable whether the marginal rise in crowds justifies the viewership dip in lounge rooms.

Supporters of the fixed schedule argued that crowds and membership would rise, because fans could plan their trips to games well in advance.

But while attendances soared over the first month - thanks to Sonny Bill Williams' return and the Good Friday blockbuster between Souths and Canterbury - they've since come sharply back to the 16,000-odd average of previous seasons.

The most worrying theme is that, after 13 weeks, only Nine's live Friday night coverage in Sydney and Fox Sports' live Saturday 7.30pm game have recorded increases (3.5 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively).

While not disputing the NRL figures, Nine yesterday released its own figures that point to a 5.6 per cent ratings increase for all night matches this year, including Thursdays.

The discrepancy between the Nine and NRL percentage could also be explained by the inclusion of lower pre-match show ratings.

Nine head of sport Steve Crawley said the network anticipated the fixed schedule would translate to a boost on Friday nights, because it was guaranteed first pick of each round for 20 weeks and was pleased with a 15.8 per cent increase in the 16- to 39-year-old demographic in Sydney.

Sunday afternoons, however, are a different story. They've proved a bloodbath, with both telecasts considerably down on 2012.

The 2pm Fox Sports match is down 12.5 per cent, while Nine's 4pm delayed telecast is down 19.8 per cent and 15.8 per cent in Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

A ratings winner in previous years, Monday Night Football has also suffered a 9.7 per cent ratings drop - the second successive halfway mark decrease since 2011.

Crawley would not be drawn on whether he would prefer the fixed schedule to be changed next year, but the concept is locked into the NRL's five-year broadcast deal.

Fox Sports boss Gary Burns blamed additional AFL games on Monday for eroding ratings nationally, and wanted the system reviewed ahead of 2014.

NRL marketing boss Paul Kind, however, said it was too early to determine whether the fixed schedule was responsible for the overall decline.

"The fluctuations year-to-year suggest we should wait until closer to the end of the season before forming a view on that," Kind said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6664153128

pussycat wrote:

Ratings are down over the origin period this year, just they are every year. Pre Origin they were higher , just as post Origin they will be higher. It stands to reason . Just a News Limited journo desperate to try and pass on some of the blame for there poor treatment of the game over the past years.

eelofwest wrote:

pussycat wrote:

Ratings are down over the origin period this year, just they are every year. Pre Origin they were higher , just as post Origin they will be higher. It stands to reason . Just a News Limited journo desperate to try and pass on some of the blame for there poor treatment of the game over the past years.

=D> =D>

Crowds and ratings down during SOO period.................................have you all been living under a rock > > .....................it is like this every year only difference is that we went into SOO period up on crowds and Ratings.

Ratings will improve and crowds likewise after SOO.

NRL match attendances last year fell about three per cent and television ratings dropped two per cent

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z2uGUcnyd6

Beaussie wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

pussycat wrote:

Ratings are down over the origin period this year, just they are every year. Pre Origin they were higher , just as post Origin they will be higher. It stands to reason . Just a News Limited journo desperate to try and pass on some of the blame for there poor treatment of the game over the past years.

=D> =D>

Crowds and ratings down during SOO period.................................have you all been living under a rock > > .....................it is like this every year only difference is that we went into SOO period up on crowds and Ratings.

Ratings will improve and crowds likewise after SOO.

Wrong as usual. Crowds and ratings continued a downward slide all season. Oh dear.

NRL match attendances last year fell about three per cent and television ratings dropped two per cent

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z2uGUcnyd6

Raiderdave wrote:

Beaussie wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

pussycat wrote:

Ratings are down over the origin period this year, just they are every year. Pre Origin they were higher , just as post Origin they will be higher. It stands to reason . Just a News Limited journo desperate to try and pass on some of the blame for there poor treatment of the game over the past years.

=D> =D>

Crowds and ratings down during SOO period.................................have you all been living under a rock > > .....................it is like this every year only difference is that we went into SOO period up on crowds and Ratings.

Ratings will improve and crowds likewise after SOO.

Wrong as usual. Crowds and ratings continued a downward slide all season. Oh dear.

NRL match attendances last year fell about three per cent and television ratings dropped two per cent

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z2uGUcnyd6

you're replying to a post from the middle of the year
at that stage we were heading for 5% drops in both crowds & Tv ratings dickhead

guess what
eels was right
both did improve

& as for the codes bottom line
wow
just wow

watch records be set for both in 2014 & another 50 million in profits get popped in the bank
meanwhile the VFL will continue to be drained of cash by its failing clubs

The_Wookie wrote:

pussycat wrote:

It was'nt our best season - Ratings wise. But even with the poor scheduling, we still managed 4 of the top 5 highest rating matches. The $50m profit was just icing on the cake

Anyone can save $50 million if you dont spend it on anything.

NRL clubs got 120 million in 2013, AFL clubs got $200 million (in 2012)
NRL state comps got 22 million in 2013, AFL state comps got $36 million (in 2012)
NRL grassroots and development got 17 million in 2013, AFL development got 21 million. (in 2012)

pussycat wrote:

The highest rating matches and a $50m profit... Sounds like the spending there money wisely.

pussycat wrote:

Just because your mob don't have representative matches (real not pretend) doesn't mean we don't!

NRL - 1,2 and 3