‘Next to no chance’: Gambling ad reforms sink chances of a record NRL broadcast deal
Gambling advertising reforms may have ended the NRL's chances of a record deal
A rights expert says gambling advertising restrictions announced by the Prime Minister last week have shot down any chance of a record broadcast deal for the National Rugby League, as the league’s boss maintains nothing is amiss.
Last Thursday, Anthony Albanese announced a raft of incoming measures, including a limit of three TV ads per hour for betting agencies, restrictions on cross-promotional gambling content during commentary, and a ban on in-stadium and jersey advertising.
There are also requirements in the TV code of practice that already restrict gambling advertising or promotion of odds during live sports broadcasts between 5.00am and 8.30pm.
Really??? That claim???
“After “leaking” broadcast data to the masthead that claims a record 25 million viewers have watched the opening four rounds of the 2026 premiership across Nine and Foxtel…”
Australia’s population is around 28m. Yet the claim is of “25 million viewers have watched the opening four rounds …”.
If 25m viewers HAVE WATCHED THE OPENING FOUR ROUNDS … roughly nine out of ten watched the four rounds. At that rate the FIFTH ROUND would increase to about 31m viewers … impossible.
There may have been 25 million views in the four weeks and may have been added to generate the mis-understood ‘ebullient’ claim.
Sensible measurement would be a ‘per week’ total of the 9 games per round.
Also, consider that most important if you are looking for the number of the ads seen and their duration … that you need an estimate or measurement for how long in the 40-minute halves et.al. were viewed. That would provide a more likely ‘viewing duration’.