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by Glenn Jackson - SMH November 19, 2011
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“Giving fans certainty around the schedule has a lot of upsides” … Gallop. Photo: Quentin Jones
NRL boss David Gallop has raised the prospect of a fixed schedule during the term of the next broadcast rights deal for all but the final few weeks of the season.With clubs and supporters campaigning for a fixed draw, Gallop has for the first time suggested the compromise package, which would allow fans to know the venue and times for NRL matches for all but the final month of the competition. In the last four weeks the schedule would be drawn up to ensure teams fighting for the highest places in the premiership are given top billing.
The NRL now uses a rolling schedule, which can give supporters little time to organise travel to matches and clubs to assemble corporate and fan support.
Gallop is clearly a fan of fixed scheduling, but while there have been many saying the administration should switch to a year-round fixed draw, he can still understand the logic of compromising for the networks who pay for the product.
‘‘Certainly towards the end of the season we can see an advantage in the blockbuster games being assured of being in the best timeslots,’’ Gallop said.
The trick for the NRL will be balancing the needs and wants of supporters and clubs, who could lock in long-term schedules, against those of the networks, who will bid for the next broadcast rights. Incumbent free-to-air provider Channel Nine has never been a fan of the fixed scheduling, and NRL officials will know that altering the current system will come at a price. The value of the next broadcast rights deal will be diluted somewhat.
But with Gallop on record as saying that fixed scheduling is a goal of the administration, and in all likelihood this also being an aim of the new independent commission, it appears that either a totally fixed or predominantly fixed schedule is the likely result from 2013.
‘‘It’s certainly a goal,’’ Gallop said. ‘‘Moving to a fixed schedule is something that the clubs and fans feel strongly about. Clearly we will need to discuss it with the broadcasters, and make an assessment on any change in value that it produces. Giving fans certainty around the schedule has a lot of upsides for the game. At the same time, making sure that our best games are in our best timeslots is also an important consideration.’’
The AFL has employed a fixed model, although this year a floating final round was introduced to ensure finals-bound teams were not hampered by travelling.
The networks prefer to have rolling schedules because teams which had been expected to perform can be quickly become ratings duds. At the start of this year, teams such as the eventual premiers, Manly, the Warriors and Melbourne might have been ignored by broadcasters if the schedule was fixed before the season began. Conversely, Channel Nine might have favoured teams including Parramatta and Sydney Roosters, who had been highly rated but whose top-eight prospects ended earlier than most had expected.
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Common sense prevails!
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They do the same thing in the NFL.
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It’s not a bad deal really. Some people rely on fixed dates in order to determine their membership packages, or even just general admittance at a game, especially out-of-towners who have to drive/fly and book accommodation…
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The NRL also borrowed from the NFL with the plan to start the 2012 season on a Thursday. The NFL have been doing that for at least five years now.
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Just do it for the 26 weeks and be done with it Some people only get one or two chances a year to maybe get to a game and if those games fall in the final 2-3 weeks of the season It makes it impossible when you have to travel long distances
I use the Tigers v Titnas game as an example 09 and 10 they were the last round so a working person who has to travel vast distances and then don’t know whether they need to rearrange rosters etc so they can make a Friday game because they find out two weeks previous
Just a reminder Mr Gallop the fans are the game No Fans No Game
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The NRL also borrowed from the NFL with the plan to start the 2012 season on a Thursday. The NFL have been doing that for at least five years now.
No they didn’t. They’re starting on a Thursday because there is an ODI on the friday between Australia and Sri Lanka
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I wonder if this will see an equal distribution of the dreaded Monday night game
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The NRL also borrowed from the NFL with the plan to start the 2012 season on a Thursday. The NFL have been doing that for at least five years now.
No they didn’t. They’re starting on a Thursday because there is an ODI on the friday between Australia and Sri Lanka
So is Fox broadcasting the Friday night game between the Eels and Broncos?
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No the play the St. George V Newcastle game on the Thursday 7:30 pm kick off (CH9).
Then on the Friday they will have the ODI cricket game, followed by the Eels V Broncos game, 7:30 pm kick off (CH9).
Then as off the Saturday, Sunday and Monday, all matches are regular time slots on FOX Sports and CH9 regular 4.00pm game on the Sunday.
I’m sure there is a thread on here entailing the location, kick off and coverage of the first few rounds if you want more info.
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