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Optus set to swoop on rugby rights as Foxtel prepares to cut ties with battling code
By Kylar Loussikian and Jennifer Duke
November 24, 2019 — 6.00pm
Foxtel is preparing to sever its two-decade relationship with rugby union after rival Optus agreed to a higher price during bidding for the code's five-year broadcast rights.
Two sources briefed on the negotiations told the Herald Foxtel had baulked at matching Optus' price, which is believed to be higher than $30 million annually, and pulled its bid entirely.
They cited Rugby Australia's dysfunctional management and declining viewer numbers.
Super Rugby rights are likely to change hands with Optus set to swoop.
Photo: Anthony Johnson
Rugby Australia has yet to award the broadcast rights, which include its Super Rugby competition, the National Rugby Championships and Wallabies Tests, the latter which is also screened on the Ten Network due to anti-siphoning requirements.
If Optus succeeds in acquiring the rights, it will be the first time since Super Rugby's inaugural season in 1996 that the competition has not been screened on traditional television.
Optus said in a statement it was "unable to comment on any rights speculation".
But the company's chief executive Allen Lew has previously flagged further broadcast rights acquisitions after securing the exclusive Australian rights to the English Premier League last year for the 2019 to 2022 seasons. That competition was also previously broadcast on Fox Sports.
"Our focus right now is to see what we can do beyond soccer," Mr Lew said in August, after disclosing the company's Optus Sport platform had 700,000 subscribers.
Optus also outbid Foxtel for rights to air the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan. But the code's global governing body decided to stick with Foxtel.
Rugby Australia's present deal is set to expire next year. "Rugby Australia does not comment on broadcast negations while they are ongoing” a spokesperson said.
https://amp.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-u...mpression=true
It looks more like Optus is saving ras ass without really doing their due diligence.
That's always been foxtels job, but I guess the price got too high once there was competition in the air.
C'mon the![]()
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You have to wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing for the TV Deal for Global Rapid Rugby.
Exile
Sydney
"Pain heels. Chicks dig scars and Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
It would be interesting to see how much business Optus picked up by buying the Premier League, and whether it was a small part of Singtel's networks in P L crazy Asia. And how many subscriptions Fox lost or gained by having BeInSport and all their Fudboll. It's a very tricky subject for RA, with SR on life support. Wiith the 3 ring circus currently at Moore Park, it isn't too much of a stretch to see the chief clown stuffing that up as well before he does the walk of shame - if he still refuses to step away.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Good that Optus was turned down. I am not going to sign up to watch your obscure potato service to view Soccer at 1am and to have Rugby on that service will kill it off.
If you are going to promote Rugby in the bush don’t make it more restrictive then it is now.
Turned down? The reports state Foxtel has taken their offer off the table - but not permanently yet. Castle is quoted as saying they ate talking to "The broader market". Sounds a bit more like Fox saying "go ahead, We don't really give a toss" Even describing RA as a dysfunctional management - who'd argue that. Fox will nail the wankers unless a new board takes control.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
For the RWC rights. You can only watch it through a stream which I hate. I don’t care if it is the future. The internet is not good enough in this country for streaming live sport and that is in the cities.
It crashed during the FIFA World Cup so that is another reason to turn them down. NZ had issues with their Spark services.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
Ollie Peterson on Twitter:
If you want an indication about just how badly Rugby Australia and Super Rugby is going....
Last Foxtel deal $57 million a year.
New rejected offer $20 million a year.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...9df18b6162b361
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Sounds like a pretty good reason to dismiss anything further from Ollie Peterson on the topic. $57M was the total deal, SR and Tests, after SANZAAR pooled the money then split it up. $20M is just the Australian contribution, and not even that clear for exactly what.
Does this mean if Optus get the deal, they'd bring some Tahs & Rebels games to Optus stadium … ?!?!?!
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"The whole point of rugby is that it is, first and foremost, a state of mind, a spirit." - Jean-Pierre Rives
Somewhere stated . Optus only want the rights to stick it to Telstra re subscription to mobile services . They don’t care about the sport or whether the rights make a loss .... good or bad ?
Internet quality in this country needs to improve significantly before we can totally ditch TV and rely on streaming. IMO.
That said, RA are desperate for revenue so will they forsake everything and just go with Optus because the money is better and they need every cent they can get their hands on?
It’s all rather 11th hour for RA to be in this situation. But it’s a mess of their own making because of the way they have destroyed the product over the last decade or so.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby