The National Rugby League has missed an excellent opportunity to promote their product to new audiences in South Australia and area where the sport has low support over the past few weeks.
With long domestic and international cricket seasons over the summer coming to a close and the A-League season winding down, the NRL could have reaped the benefits of sole free-to-air coverage on Friday nights. Particularly rounds 2 and 3 when cricket broadcasting commitments had been completed with the Nine Network.
The first three rounds could have been the perfect 'testing' period for the code in a region such as South Australia where support is very low. Broadcasting matches prime time and possibly live as they are in Queensland and New South Wales, would also have given the game more exposure. This is directly relative to gathering more support for the round 16 match between Canterbury and Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.
But it is not entirely the NRL that is to blame for this lost opportunity.
The NRL are definitely one of the parties who should take responsibility for this blunder, particularly with plans for the competition's expansion in the coming years. The power given to TV broadcasters, mainly the Nine Network, in decision making for the code is far too great.
This starts with their ability to effect the draw by selecting which games they will broadcast. This 'power' has meant that the Brisbane Broncos will play on Friday nights for the first 8 weeks of the 2012 season.
As such, there is a benefit for the Broncos in two ways.
Firstly, the advantage of a set schedule over a number of weeks, for the early part of the competition. Knowing they have the same playing schedule allows for a set routine and weekly match build up, even if they are traveling for an away fixture.
The second is financial advantage through the exposure their sponsors are constantly receiving from being part of a main broadcast each week.
I do not mean to pick on the Broncos, their case is just an example of how the NRL need to take more responsibility in the running of their competition.
The Nine Network, or WIN Television in regards to South Australia, also need to take some responsibility. These are the networks that are solely responsible for the promotion of the game on free-to-air TV and in areas like South Australia where Rugby League is virtually unknown.
The NRL and Nine Network, affiliates included, need to take advantage of every chance they get in their respective battles against the AFL and the 7 Network who are far more dominant in areas such as Adelaide.
The broadcast time of 9's Friday Night Football in Adelaide can be seen here, but this is what it could be competing with on Friday the 23rd of March.
It is missed opportunities such as the past three weeks that help disenchant any positive ideas of future NRL expansion plans. The NRL's plans of expansion is an issue in itself, let alone better free-to-air TV coverage of the code's marquee competition.
Before seriously considering expanding into areas like Perth, the NRL really need to look at every opportunity if they want to fend off the AFL in Rugby League heartlands.
With long domestic and international cricket seasons over the summer coming to a close and the A-League season winding down, the NRL could have reaped the benefits of sole free-to-air coverage on Friday nights. Particularly rounds 2 and 3 when cricket broadcasting commitments had been completed with the Nine Network.
The first three rounds could have been the perfect 'testing' period for the code in a region such as South Australia where support is very low. Broadcasting matches prime time and possibly live as they are in Queensland and New South Wales, would also have given the game more exposure. This is directly relative to gathering more support for the round 16 match between Canterbury and Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.
But it is not entirely the NRL that is to blame for this lost opportunity.
The NRL are definitely one of the parties who should take responsibility for this blunder, particularly with plans for the competition's expansion in the coming years. The power given to TV broadcasters, mainly the Nine Network, in decision making for the code is far too great.
This starts with their ability to effect the draw by selecting which games they will broadcast. This 'power' has meant that the Brisbane Broncos will play on Friday nights for the first 8 weeks of the 2012 season.
As such, there is a benefit for the Broncos in two ways.
Firstly, the advantage of a set schedule over a number of weeks, for the early part of the competition. Knowing they have the same playing schedule allows for a set routine and weekly match build up, even if they are traveling for an away fixture.
The second is financial advantage through the exposure their sponsors are constantly receiving from being part of a main broadcast each week.
I do not mean to pick on the Broncos, their case is just an example of how the NRL need to take more responsibility in the running of their competition.
The Nine Network, or WIN Television in regards to South Australia, also need to take some responsibility. These are the networks that are solely responsible for the promotion of the game on free-to-air TV and in areas like South Australia where Rugby League is virtually unknown.
 |
| Image courtesy of WIN TV |
The NRL and Nine Network, affiliates included, need to take advantage of every chance they get in their respective battles against the AFL and the 7 Network who are far more dominant in areas such as Adelaide.
The broadcast time of 9's Friday Night Football in Adelaide can be seen here, but this is what it could be competing with on Friday the 23rd of March.
It is missed opportunities such as the past three weeks that help disenchant any positive ideas of future NRL expansion plans. The NRL's plans of expansion is an issue in itself, let alone better free-to-air TV coverage of the code's marquee competition.
Before seriously considering expanding into areas like Perth, the NRL really need to look at every opportunity if they want to fend off the AFL in Rugby League heartlands.
1 comment:
Thanks for a great comment with very relevant
argument. NRL and Nine Network take note..
Post a Comment