A Nine Network scheduling clash between two of Australia's most loved sports might see two hours of cricket moved to a secondary channel, ruffling feathers with cricket advertisers.
On 2 March, Channel Nine is booked to broadcast the NRL round one match between the Paramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos, as well as the one-day cricket international between Australia and Sri Lanka, on its primary channel.
Nine Entertainment Co's group sales and marketing boss Peter Wiltshire told AdNews, “The cricket will run between 6.30 and 7.30, and then on the east coast, the NRL will run between 7.30 and 9.30. We still have to decide what to do with the cricket on the east coast.”
According to industry sources, neither Cricket Australia, nor the sponsors of the event like Commonwealth Bank, were aware of the clash, and had expected to be placed on the primary channel.
A source said, “Anything that gets moved from the main channel to the secondary channel is obviously a concern for advertisers.”
However, Wiltshire said, “I find it difficult that we can't please sponsors over just two hours, out of an entire cricket season. It's only a two hour clash, that happens once in the entire year. But we have to deal with it, and we will find a way to make sure we please all commercial partners.
“The ratings for the cricket have been up 25% year-on-year, so they can't be too upset with their invesment.”
The cricket will remain on Nine's primary channel in every state except Queensland and NSW.
The clash has come about as a result of the NRL deciding to begin its season a week earlier, combined with the re-introduction of cricket's one say tri-series.
Follow @AdNews on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at davidblight@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.