NRL Coverage could be split up under new TV deals

Post by **greeneyed** » January 30, 2005, 2:59 pm

Interesting story in today's Sun Herald, regarding the next deals for NRL coverage on free to air and pay television. The pay TV deal with Foxtel runs out at the end of 2006 and the free to air deal at the end of 2007.

The NRL wants to bring the deals into line in the future, so they expire at the same time.

Nine has the option of matching the best rival offer for the free to air deal and keeping the NRL for another five years.

However, the article suggests that anything could happen, with competition expected to be intense - including a carve up between channels, as with the AFL deal. The NRL is said to be impressed with the amount of free to air coverage for AFL under the AFL deal. David Gallop said the NRL is interested in "striving for a balance between making our game available to a large number of viewers and maximising our revenue".

The present deals deliver $33m annually from Foxtel and only $12m annually from Nine. Industry analysts suggest that the free to air rights should deliver at least as much as the pay TV deal in the future.

I hope what ever happens, we get at least free to air coverage on Saturday nights, as well as Fridays and Sundays.

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » January 30, 2005, 4:45 pm

More free to air coverage can only be a good thing, the current deal is disgraceful, showing just 2/7 matches each week.

Inactive · Post by **Inactive** » January 30, 2005, 4:54 pm

But then I cant really justify paying $84/month for Fox

SOULS 04 · Post by **SOULS 04** » January 31, 2005, 12:39 pm

yeh more free to air would be good

i got fox right now so im not too worried

Boing Boing · Post by **Boing Boing** » January 31, 2005, 1:00 pm

I want it taken away from channel nine. I hate channel nine. they think thyey own australian sport and can do what ever they want with it. It's a joke. That's why I have foxtel. No idiots like phil gould or fatty vautin.

Catherine · Post by **Catherine** » January 31, 2005, 3:41 pm

Free to air would be good if they had more live games!!

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » January 31, 2005, 3:48 pm

Catherine wrote:Free to air would be good if they had more live games!!

It would be better if they had ANY Live games during the regular season.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » January 31, 2005, 4:23 pm

hmm ive got foxtel but more FTA would be nice

jedski · Post by **jedski** » January 31, 2005, 5:07 pm

Bay56 wrote:But then I cant really justify paying $84/month for Fox

Free's much better than $84.

8)