Super Rugby Aoteraroa on Rugby Pass

[MarleyWasp]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/rugbypass-to-live-stream-super-rugby-aotearoa-in-uk-ireland-europe-asia-and-me/

At £34.99 for a 21 match tournament where the vast majority of games are on very early or on work days, I doubt they'll get many subscribers. I reckon I'll only be able to watch five matches.

[Rossm]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/rugbypass-to-live-stream-super-rugby-aotearoa-in-uk-ireland-europe-asia-and-me/

At £34.99 for a 21 match tournament where the vast majority of games are on very early or on work days, I doubt they'll get many subscribers. I reckon I'll only be able to watch five matches.

When I used Rugby Pass last season, all matches (I think) were available on demand.

[MarleyWasp]

True, but by the time I get to watch them they'll have probably been uploaded to YouTube either in full or in highlight form.

[Heathen]

I was talking to a Kiwi friend, who is a huge Super Rugby fan. Not at all happy about Sky losing the matches.

[MarleyWasp]

I fear the sport is in for a ride awakening in the next few years as TV viewing figures suggest that the sport isn't as popular at club level as it likes to think it is. Viewing figures for the Premiership are often around the 100k mark, but some Pro14 games are as low as 5k. Sky offered to show Top14 games when their deal ran out in 2019, but only if they didn't have to pay for the rights.

I don't think the range of subscriptions needed to watch every league helps.

[wasps]

I fear the sport is in for a ride awakening in the next few years as TV viewing figures suggest that the sport isn't as popular at club level as it likes to think it is. Viewing figures for the Premiership are often around the 100k mark, but some Pro14 games are as low as 5k. Sky offered to show Top14 games when their deal ran out in 2019, but only if they didn't have to pay for the rights.

I don't think the range of subscriptions needed to watch every league helps.

I don't know about the numbers, but I agree with the general point.

Lots of my friends are general sports fans, most will watch England or lions games, but none watch club rugby.


In a normal year, there's 6 premiership games a week, probably with an average attendance of about 10k.
So that's 60,000 people who will likely be watching club rugby on TV this year who wouldn't normally.

If viewing figures for the premiership are around 100,000 then there's a massive effect on TV figures when the grounds are open again.


It also highlights why sky probably aren't too bothered about shaking up their commentary team too much.

I'm fortunate that my wife loves rugby, football, MMA, darts, Moto GP etc. So I get to watch sport of different forms constantly.
A lot of people I know aren't in the same boat, and their partners (male or female) have no interest in watching sport, so they tend to ration what they watch, which usually results in football getting priority.

[hookender]

The figure of circa 100k was pre Covid so it will be interesting if figures have increased.

The pro14 figures are interesting maybe that’s why BT don’t want ring fencing .

As for partners not interested in sport - two tv’s.

[MarleyWasp]

The figure of circa 100k was pre Covid so it will be interesting if figures have increased.

The pro14 figures are interesting maybe that’s why BT don’t want ring fencing .

I think with the Pro14 one of the main issues is how often sides are at full strength? With an extra subscription needed for Europe, and Premier Sport not having the same quality of additional sports as BT, I can see why Pro14 Fans may not be in a rush to sign up to Premier Sports.

[hookender]

The figure of circa 100k was pre Covid so it will be interesting if figures have increased.

The pro14 figures are interesting maybe that’s why BT don’t want ring fencing .

I think with the Pro14 one of the main issues is how often sides are at full strength? With an extra subscription needed for Europe, and Premier Sport not having the same quality of additional sports as BT, I can see why Pro14 Fans may not be in a rush to sign up to Premier Sports.

Re the figures for pro 14 - could also be the relatively small populations in the Celtic countries anyway.