Thanks a billion
What the TV rights deal means to the Titans
TITANS boss David May believes the new $1.025 billion NRL broadcast rights deal will help the battling club begin to win back bigger crowds and secure the Gold Coast’s longterm future.
The ARL Commission yesterday announced a lucrative five-year deal with Channel 9 and Fox Sports to continue being the home of elite rugby league in Australia.
Apart from the cash-injection the Titans will receive, May highlighted significant changes to the draw as the major plus for the Gold Coast.
Under the new deal, the first 20 rounds of the draw will be scheduled prior to the commencement of the season.
In the current format, the broadcasters dictate the draw, with dates and times of each match decided about five weeks before the round. The system makes travelling to away matches and planning in advance difficult.
The Titans’ crowds have been on a downward spiral since the club began its partnership with Skilled Park at Robina in 2008.
May made a passionate plea last week for 20,000 to turn out for the Titans-Eels match on Sunday which ultimately attracted just 14,159.
May said the new structure would allow interstate fans, of the Titans and rival clubs, to schedule trips to the Gold Coast well in advance, which would have a flow-on effect for the city’s tourism industry.
‘‘It’s going to be great for all our supporters to be able to plan their seasons,’’ he said.
‘‘The 20-round fixed schedule is just fantastic news. That’s one of the things our supporters have been talking to us about for a long time.
‘‘We’ve been very forthright in lobbying for that fixed schedule.
‘‘It allows anybody who’s going to have an away game to come to the Gold Coast.
‘‘Having that fixed schedule allows people to book the cheap flights with Jetstar, book accommodation and everything. It’s great news for us on a lot of fronts.’’
The Titans’ financial situation has been highly-publicised this year, with suggestions the club has asked the governing body for handouts in advance.
On the back of a beefed-up broadcast rights deal, the NRL clubs will get a higher grant next year from the ARLC.
May said the Titans would not be asking for any more or any payment in advance. ‘‘We’ve been very clear since I first started my involvement with the club that we need to cut our costs to what we have,’’ he said.
Channel 9 will broadcast three weekly NRL matches – two on Friday and one on Sunday – as well as one Queensland Cup match every Sunday for the next five years. Fox Sports will televise the remaining five matches, and some Toyota Cup matches, each weekend.