New ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys insists the game will bump up its television revenue in the next rights deal despite the changing media landscape.
The NRL’s next broadcast deal for 2023 and beyond will shape as a key part of V’landys’ time in charge of rugby league, after he officially took the keys of the sport on Thursday.
Known as one of sport’s best businessmen through his time as Racing NSW boss, V’landy’s ability to secure a top broadcast deal was one of the reasons his predecessor Peter Beattie listed as his reasons for stepping aside.
But such a deal will come as a significant challenge after the league secured a record $1.8 billion deal over five years in 2015.
Television ratings for most programs are down across the board since then, as more people switch to on demand viewing and streaming figures rise.
This year’s grand final also had the lowest ratings in 15 years according to Oztam, with the AFL experiencing similar issues in 2019.
Overseas, the English Premier League suffered a decline in its television rights deal for the first time in its history last year.
But when asked if he could deliver an increase in the NRL’s deal on Thursday, V’landys was adamant he could.
“Absolutely. One thing about me is it’s not a glass half full, it’s a full glass,” V’landys said.
“We’ve got to go into these things positive, if you go in negative you won’t get what you are after.
“I am very confident, looking at all of the documents I’ve seen in the last few days, of achieving a better result than what we’ve got now.
“There are a lot of decisions to be made in the next 12 months in relation to broadcast. But we will have it in a package that will maximise the return to the game.”
The NRL have several options to consider in the make up of their next deal.
One avenue could see telecasts produced in-house according to a Fairfax report last month, in a move that could lower costs for rights holders.
Another possibility could see more games split up between networks.
In effect, State of Origin matches could be put on one channel and regular season games on another.
All of that will be crucial, given broadcast rights make up for the largest part of the game’s income.
“The platforms and broadcasters have changed dramatically,” V’landys said.
“We have to look at all elements of our broadcast, what is exclusive, what is not exclusive, what buckets do we have?
“There is potential there. Do we do in-house production, do we provide our own packages?
“To me, that is the most important aspect, to ensure the game stays viable.
“If you’re not viable, you’re nowhere. It’s critical we continue to get the revenues we’re getting.”
