Hope?

[NellyWellyWaspy]

The RFU had a golden egg- those internationals need to fund the elite club game, not the bloody gin cabinet. Internationals buried on Prime do not help long term either. They need to be on terrestrial, even if not all of them.

But how to exploit that golden egg if they don't go where the money is (pay per view)?
Also remember that the RFU is non-profit organisation, yes, there are some amateur members of the RFU council with their noses in the trough but the RFU spends the vast majority of any profit it makes on the game, both professional & grass roots.

You have identified the question, there are no easy answers, as every single exclusive Prime or otherwise match will shrink the game in the long run. The answer has to be a split model with games on TV and others off to Pay TV, a bit like BT and C4.
Sadly, non profit is all blown away by stories like this.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/cash-strapped-rfu-have-done-the-unthinkable-refusing-to-cut-expenses-budget-of-55-member-council/

That is a VERY old story. Over two years old.

[Marlow Nick]

the 2 biggest sports in this country aren't on terrestrial tv

You need to build the support base through free to air tv. Once you have grown the demand then you can cash in by going to pay tv

[baldpaul101]

But surely the 6 Nations are on free to view TV (ignoring the need for a TV licence) ?

[westwaleswasp]

The RFU had a golden egg- those internationals need to fund the elite club game, not the bloody gin cabinet. Internationals buried on Prime do not help long term either. They need to be on terrestrial, even if not all of them.

But how to exploit that golden egg if they don't go where the money is (pay per view)?
Also remember that the RFU is non-profit organisation, yes, there are some amateur members of the RFU council with their noses in the trough but the RFU spends the vast majority of any profit it makes on the game, both professional & grass roots.

You have identified the question, there are no easy answers, as every single exclusive Prime or otherwise match will shrink the game in the long run. The answer has to be a split model with games on TV and others off to Pay TV, a bit like BT and C4.
Sadly, non profit is all blown away by stories like this.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/cash-strapped-rfu-have-done-the-unthinkable-refusing-to-cut-expenses-budget-of-55-member-council/

That is a VERY old story. Over two years old.

There have been no stories since about them cutting it, and it is the same RFU.
Unless there has been a reversal story I missed, of course.

[Neils]

Apparently the Wasps signs have been removed from the CBSA.

[baldpaul101]

It would be great to get some kind of official update on where the Phoenix buy out is. It doesn't have to be detailed, just an update on progress would be nice.
Got a nasty feeling there's too many obstacles to it ever happening, but would really love to be wrong...

[Neils]

It would be great to get some kind of official update on where the Phoenix buy out is. It doesn't have to be detailed, just an update on progress would be nice.
Got a nasty feeling there's too many obstacles to it ever happening, but would really love to be wrong...

There was a post last week that it should be expected in about 4 weeks certainly before Christmas. 

I suspect those bidding haven't a clue about what the RFU/PRL want especially after last week's ripping to shreds.

[Heathen]

Apparently the Wasps signs have been removed from the CBSA.

Unless there is a miracle, we are now history.

[bigad82]

Apparently the Wasps signs have been removed from the CBSA.

Unless there is a miracle, we are now history.

This unfortunately.

[WonkyWasp]

Very very sadly and reluctantly, I agree. 

[Shugs]

Not sure I read too much into this. I imagine a load of signage will come down to be replaced with stuff advertising Big Mike’s tat emporium.

[Neils]

Not sure I read too much into this. I imagine a load of signage will come down to be replaced with stuff advertising Big Mike’s tat emporium.

What Gieves & Hawkes?

[WonkyWasp]

They made rotten overcoats when I was in the Navy.  Stiff, heavy, cold, unbending;  Bit like their present owner.

[Shugs]

I did pick something up (can’t remember where from) that the RFU were insisting any new base had to be in “the vicinity” of the CBSA. So maybe not a dealbreaker.

[WonkyWasp]

Don't you just love the RFU.