1
I ditched Foxtel a month ago after my contract expired and I got NBN in my street.
We watch about 2 hours of free ABC and SBS streaming documentaries every night. So far streaming quality is great. No issues. Lots of the documentaries are the type of thing that I would have to pay extra to Foxtel, because they were in the History or National Geographic channels, which were not part of my bundle.
I have not got Kayo yet and will wait until next season to see what GRR, NRC and Tests is on, where perhaps I dont have to pay at all. Certainly wont pay for Kayo to watch Super Rugby.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Exactly! They will have $millions to pay out in SR grants and Wallaby top ups alone from 1 Jan 2021 so I’d say we are well past the right time!
If they have nothing agreed by the end of their current financial year on 31 December, surely the Directors’ Report will need to flag the possibility of insolvency in 2021 if a sufficiently large deal is not signed in 2020??
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
http://www.speedtest.net/result/8794733046
I am a big fan of KAYO - my internet speed is not a problem.
On a side topic there is a very strong rumor that NBN speeds will be increased in 2020 upto a GB/second.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Rugby state chiefs in dark over TV rights rejection
By LEO SHANAHAN and STEVE JACKSON
November 26, 2019
The heads of Australia’s state rugby unions have been blindsided by a decision by the game’s national body to reject a broadcast deal from Foxtel and instead open talks with Optus, describing the move as concerning.
As revealed by The Australian on Monday, Rugby Australia does not have a TV broadcast deal with any major provider after talks between RA and Foxtel broke down during a meeting in Japan following the World Cup. RA rejected Foxtel’s offer of about $20 million as an effective “rollover” agreement on the current arrangement.
The board is now in talks with Optus to show the Rugby Championship, Super Rugby and Wallabies tours even though the telco lacks a free-to-air TV broadcasting partner and paid $50m in 2018 for three years of the English Premier League rights.
RA chief executive Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne briefed the heads of state rugby representing Australian Super Rugby franchises the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels at the “state of the nation” address last week.
Despite the hours-long briefing to the heads of state rugby by RA leadership, the state rugby bosses were not told of the failure of the Japan meeting and the decision to walk out on the Foxtel offer and begin negotiations with Optus.
The group “was not told any specifics of negotiations” and was told RA was still in negotiations “with both groups”. “That’s not the case and they’re talking to Optus. It’s very disappointing,” said one senior official who attended the briefing.
Senior officials on state rugby boards on Monday expressed dismay at the decision of Rugby Australia to decline Foxtel’s offer, wary about the game’s future under Optus, specifically citing fears about a lack of audience.
Concerns were also expressed as to why Optus would better the Foxtel bid if there were not competing bids for rugby rights.
Of particular concern are estimated losses for the franchises of $10m a year under a new Super Rugby home and away system.
Under the new structure beginning in 2021, Australian teams will have up to two fewer home games, resulting in an estimated revenue decline of 15 per cent, thought to be worth about $10m.
“We will suffer a major decline in revenue and someone needs to make that up or we go broke,” one insider said.
Industry executives warned any move away from traditional TV broadcasts would sound the death knell for rugby’s future as a top-tier sport in Australia and lead to an exodus of advertisers.
Qantas, the major sponsor of the Wallabies, said it was following the negotiations with interest but would not comment until a resolution was reached.
Former Nine and Seven boss David Leckie, who oversaw broadcast rights deals with both the NRL and AFL, said that the RA board overplayed its hand by demanding an “unrealistic” amount for the rights.
“I know a little bit about TV and if the rights go to Optus, it will kill the game,” he said. “If you’re an advertiser or sponsor, you’d be thinking, ‘Well, we don’t need to worry about rugby anymore’.”
Mr Leckie said the cost of covering Super Rugby outstripped ratings by so much it was no longer commercially viable for the free-to-air networks. “It’s too much of a loss-leader — and there’s zero interest in it,” he said.
“All the commercial networks care about are the Tests and, even then they only want the big ones.
“Meanwhile, you’ve got Foxtel giving them outstanding coverage of matches at all levels and doing a really wonderful job. Optus don’t have the platforms to match that, so a lot of people are going to be as pissed as hell if Rugby Australia stuffs that up.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...c57811de461426
Insolvency is just around the corner if RA can’t afford the salary bill for next year.
Rugby state chiefs in dark over TV rights rejection
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle. Picture: AP
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle. Picture: AP
EXCLUSIVE
By LEO SHANAHAN and STEVE JACKSON
AN HOUR AGO NOVEMBER 26, 2019237 COMMENTS
The heads of Australia’s state rugby unions have been blind*sided by a decision by the game’s national body to reject a broadcast deal from Foxtel and instead open talks with Optus, describing the move as concerning.
As revealed by The Australian on Monday, Rugby Australia does not have a TV broadcast deal with any major provider after talks between RA and Foxtel broke down during a meeting in Japan following the World Cup. RA rejected Foxtel’s offer of about $20 million as an effective “rollover” agreement on the current arrangement.
READ MORE: ‘Complete disaster’: David Leckie calls for Rugby Australia clear-out | Flick pass for rugby as Foxtel TV deal goes sour | ‘Neglect must end’ for rugby to thrive
READ NEXT
COMMENTARY
CBA execs to be grilled again
RICHARD GLUYAS
The board is now in talks with Optus to show the Rugby Championship, Super Rugby and Wallabies tours even though the telco lacks a free-to-air TV broadcasting partner and paid $50m in 2018 for three years of the English Premier League rights.
RA chief executive Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne briefed the heads of state rugby representing Australian Super Rugby franchises the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels at the “state of the nation” address last week.
Despite the hours-long briefing to the heads of state rugby by RA leadership, the state rugby bosses were not told of the failure of the Japan meeting and the decision to walk out on the Foxtel offer and begin negotiations with Optus.
Commercial networks are increasingly interested in Tests over Super Rugby. Picture: Getty Images
Commercial networks are increasingly interested in Tests over Super Rugby. Picture: Getty Images
The group “was not told any specifics of negotiations” and was told RA was still in negotiations “with both groups”. “That’s not the case and they’re talking to Optus. It’s very disappointing,” said one senior official who *attended the briefing.
Senior officials on state rugby boards on Monday expressed dismay at the decision of Rugby Australia to decline Foxtel’s offer, wary about the game’s future under Optus, specifically citing fears about a lack of audience.
Concerns were also expressed as to why Optus would better the Foxtel bid if there were not competing bids for rugby rights.
Of particular concern are estimated losses for the franchises of $10m a year under a new Super Rugby home and away system.
Under the new structure beginning in 2021, Australian teams will have up to two fewer home games, resulting in an estimated revenue decline of 15 per cent, thought to be worth about $10m.
“We will suffer a major decline in revenue and someone needs to make that up or we go broke,” one insider said.
David Leckie. Picture: AAP
David Leckie. Picture: AAP
Industry executives warned any move away from traditional TV broadcasts would sound the death knell for rugby’s future as a top-tier sport in Australia and lead to an exodus of advertisers.
Qantas, the major sponsor of the Wallabies, said it was following the negotiations with interest but would not comment until a resolution was reached.
Former Nine and Seven boss David Leckie, who oversaw broadcast rights deals with both the NRL and AFL, said that the RA board overplayed its hand by demanding an “unrealistic” amount for the rights.
“I know a little bit about TV and if the rights go to Optus, it will kill the game,” he said. “If you’re an advertiser or sponsor, you’d be thinking, ‘Well, we don’t need to worry about rugby anymore’.”
Mr Leckie said the cost of covering Super Rugby outstripped ratings by so much it was no longer commercially viable for the free-to-air networks. “It’s too much of a loss-leader — and there’s zero interest in it,” he said.
“All the commercial networks care about are the Tests and, even then they only want the big ones.
AAP1:46
2020 Bledisloe Cup opener to be played in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium
November 25, 2019. Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle announces that the Wallabies and Wallaroos will play a double-header at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne on Saturda...
“Meanwhile, you’ve got Foxtel giving them outstanding coverage of matches at all levels and doing a really wonderful job. Optus don’t have the platforms to match that, so a lot of people are going to be as pissed as hell if Rugby Australia stuffs that up.”
It's a wonder that Clyne has decided to stay and see out this mess, you would have thought this fiasco would have caused him to jump, but perhaps he just needs to stay to get the Optus deal done so when it comes crashing down around the neck of the new board he can say that he left it with plenty of $$$ and it's not his fault.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
"RA chief executive Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne briefed the heads of state rugby representing Australian Super Rugby franchises the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels at the “state of the nation” address last week."
No mention of WA, the third biggest rugby state in this so called "state of the nation" address?
Did anybody from RugbyWA get an invite?
Despite WA Rugby supporters being depicted as whingers who should get over it in the press and some on line forums, it seems a lot of our predictions are likely to be on the mark. Sadly.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
'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
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby