GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
- 22,235
- 20,559
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/5f768fba568f6e07c3c7d4b9d5683412
RUGBY league fans could be about to receive a surprise February footy fix with the NRL locked in discussions with its broadcast partners to decide if clubs should be able to stream trial games.
To prove how sport continues to move into the digital age, several NRL clubs have made it known they want to beam select warm-up matches not shown by Channel Nine or Fox Sports on to their websites, and free of charge.
A staggering 40,000 fans logged on to watch the Wests Tigers and Cronulla play in a trial last year.
Now more clubs want to follow suit and showcase their star recruits before the season proper.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg initially told clubs they would not be allowed to broadcast any trials because of “broadcasting obligations’’.
Greenberg wrote in the December 15 letter, which was obtained by The Daily Telegraph, that “Channel Nine has the exclusive right to broadcast the pre-season matches (irrespective of whether it does in fact choose to broadcast the pre-season matches)’’.
“And the Commission must not allow others to create and broadcast audiovisual coverage of a pre-season match. This includes clubs streaming pre-season matches,’’ Greenberg wrote.
However, word out of League Central on Wednesday night was that the NRL were working with Nine, Fox Sports and Telstra — who hold the digital rights — and were hopeful an outcome would be reached before the first of the trials kicked off.
“The NRL is in discussions with our broadcast and digital partners about options,’’ an NRL spokesman said.
As it stands, Nine shows the World All Stars and World Club Series, while Fox Sports has the Auckland Nines, Charity Shield, Foundation Cup and up to three other trials, including Parramatta versus Penrith.
Nine has the rights to the remainder of pre-season games — but it’s only now clubs have come forward with an interest to show them.
While it’s far from a done deal, trials being streamed online would be a huge win for clubs and fans whose appetite for the NRL now lasts all year round.
The thought of watching a rugby league trial won’t appeal to everybody, but the clubs clearly think otherwise.
Given some trials will be held interstate makes it impossible for fans to attend matches live.
One club insider said on Wednesday night: “Why deprive the fans of watching their team if we’re prepared to put it on for them?’’
The Tigers worked with Telstra last year before they uploaded their trial against the Sharks online. Club officials had anticipated around 5000 viewers. It’s understood Tigers officials were eager to show the same trial again.
It’s believed clubs officials for Parramatta and Penrith are also keen to show their February 20 trial, which is likely to feature the returning Peter Wallace up against Eels pin-up Kieran Foran.
That same afternoon, Russell Packer runs out for St George Illawarra against his first club the New Zealand Warriors, Manly’s new recruits will tackle the Ipswich Jets, while Chris McQueen can prove a point against former club South Sydney, all matches that would attract plenty of online traffic if approved.
Several clubs told The Daily Telegraph there would be no charge for fans to watch, and sponsors could be called in to cover any production costs.
RUGBY league fans could be about to receive a surprise February footy fix with the NRL locked in discussions with its broadcast partners to decide if clubs should be able to stream trial games.
To prove how sport continues to move into the digital age, several NRL clubs have made it known they want to beam select warm-up matches not shown by Channel Nine or Fox Sports on to their websites, and free of charge.
A staggering 40,000 fans logged on to watch the Wests Tigers and Cronulla play in a trial last year.
Now more clubs want to follow suit and showcase their star recruits before the season proper.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg initially told clubs they would not be allowed to broadcast any trials because of “broadcasting obligations’’.
Greenberg wrote in the December 15 letter, which was obtained by The Daily Telegraph, that “Channel Nine has the exclusive right to broadcast the pre-season matches (irrespective of whether it does in fact choose to broadcast the pre-season matches)’’.
“And the Commission must not allow others to create and broadcast audiovisual coverage of a pre-season match. This includes clubs streaming pre-season matches,’’ Greenberg wrote.
However, word out of League Central on Wednesday night was that the NRL were working with Nine, Fox Sports and Telstra — who hold the digital rights — and were hopeful an outcome would be reached before the first of the trials kicked off.
“The NRL is in discussions with our broadcast and digital partners about options,’’ an NRL spokesman said.
As it stands, Nine shows the World All Stars and World Club Series, while Fox Sports has the Auckland Nines, Charity Shield, Foundation Cup and up to three other trials, including Parramatta versus Penrith.
Nine has the rights to the remainder of pre-season games — but it’s only now clubs have come forward with an interest to show them.
While it’s far from a done deal, trials being streamed online would be a huge win for clubs and fans whose appetite for the NRL now lasts all year round.
The thought of watching a rugby league trial won’t appeal to everybody, but the clubs clearly think otherwise.
Given some trials will be held interstate makes it impossible for fans to attend matches live.
One club insider said on Wednesday night: “Why deprive the fans of watching their team if we’re prepared to put it on for them?’’
The Tigers worked with Telstra last year before they uploaded their trial against the Sharks online. Club officials had anticipated around 5000 viewers. It’s understood Tigers officials were eager to show the same trial again.
It’s believed clubs officials for Parramatta and Penrith are also keen to show their February 20 trial, which is likely to feature the returning Peter Wallace up against Eels pin-up Kieran Foran.
That same afternoon, Russell Packer runs out for St George Illawarra against his first club the New Zealand Warriors, Manly’s new recruits will tackle the Ipswich Jets, while Chris McQueen can prove a point against former club South Sydney, all matches that would attract plenty of online traffic if approved.
Several clubs told The Daily Telegraph there would be no charge for fans to watch, and sponsors could be called in to cover any production costs.
